Definition of the ‘Doha Stone’ (or 6kg to those that don’t ‘do’ imperial); a portion of weight suddenly appearing on your arrival in Doha. Where does it come from? Is it mandatory like your blood test? Do they hand it to you with your RP? No, no, no, this extra portion of your lovely self is actually added gradually and joyfully as you pass through cholesterol corner (several times), as you elbow your way back to that brunch buffet for just one more dessert, and as you are lured towards a red neon sign for hot donuts.

It’s just that it appears to be a sudden overnight phenomenon. There is no gradual tightening of clothing or slow realisation that the extra cream on your frappacino may be worth foregoing before it’s too late. It’s more of a ‘how did that get there?’ One morning you just wake up, hop on the scales, and find that they creak in protest and settle at a figure you’ve never seen before. So you get dressed, tighten your belt and realise you’ve moved down a few notches. Then you take a closer look and yes, you can see it now.

Of course, depending on whether you are a man or a woman this ‘stone’ will appear in different places. It tends to favour the stomach on guys and is attracted to the thighs on ladies. Once in place you will find its settles in nicely, thank you very much, and will become as stubborn and hard to shift as a jet black car with no air conditioning in Doha.

That stone that crept onto you as you slept one night will not go quietly. You see it wants to stay and multiply here in Doha. But you can do it... it will require numerous red faced sessions at the gym, determination and denial, oh the agony of denial. The first thing you will need to do is work out a new route home that bypasses every fast food outlet... OK, let’s be serious and not attempt the impossible here. Just know that it won’t go without a fight.

Not only will this be hard on you physically, but also financially. In a country where fast food is cheaper than diet food the race against fat is twice as hard. Still I know we can do this; we can beat this blubber! I am in a constant battle with this said stone and I daily fight the good fight against flab, and you know what? I’m winning, with the help of my friends. Fat Fighters in Doha is a group of friends that come together twice a month and share the highs and the lows of their weight warfare. The support I have found through this amazing group saw us recently celebrate our one year anniversary, with over 300lb lost from just 12 women. It’s an incredible achievement, but just goes to show that you can clear out that cellulite and that people ‘do diet in Doha!’

So next time you walk past that beckoning neon sign and smell those delicious melt in the mouth hot donuts, just say no, and chant the mantra, ‘RIP the Doha Stone’.
Lisa Travell is a freelance journalist living in Doha.