Why did you decide to transform?
I never planned my transformation, even when I started it I didn’t think I would come this far. But I started it for myself. I decided to change because I never liked my reflection in the mirror. People don’t purposely body shame you but they unknowingly do it and it hurts. I never trusted myself because of my body weight. I hated taking pictures of myself because I always knew that I would end up hating those pictures. I wanted to make myself feel good about myself – that’s why I decided to start my journey.
How did you accomplish your goals?
I started with basic level workouts. I did intermittent fasting. I controlled my cravings for junk food. I learned how to eat, when to eat, and what to eat. I learnt that I don’t have to starve myself to lose weight, I can lose weight by eating everything I love. And I have eaten everything including Maggie during my weight loss . I inculcated a lot of discipline into my life for myself and did things with consistency. Some days I was hard on myself and on some days I did let my body relax. I learnt about my body so much during this journey. For the first time ever since childhood, I started to listen to my stomach on the amount of food I am giving it to digest every single day. I made small changes with determination, consistency, and discipline. I made one change, allowed my body to adapt to it and then made the second change.
Training routine that helped you to achieve your goals?
I didn’t go for too intense training. It was during the pandemic when I started my weight loss journey. My friend suggested some YouTube channels and a few had free workout trials on their websites. I just followed those schedules and did the best I could in my workouts. I got better at doing hard workouts with time and regularity.
Which supplements did you take?
I took a nutrition shake and a few supplements. I added more vitamins and minerals to my diet and improved my basic nutrition as my lifestyle changed.
What challenges did you face during your transformation?
I did go through a lot in the initial days because I was so used to eating junk food and unhealthy stuff that it was really difficult for me to eat healthily. It was difficult to workout because of my weight and my body was not flexible. I used to do a lot of low impact exercises initially in the schedule to keep myself going. I controlled my cravings for junk food. I controlled my consumption of packed foods. I had to sit with myself to make myself understand that eating healthy was more important than eating junk. Somedays I didn’t feel like working out so in those days I used to self-talk just to make myself workout. I had a big fear of gaining the lost weight back but when I listened to a podcast by Fitness Pranit and learnt that even if I gain weight by mistake I know how to lose it again. I know the path and I will just have to walk on it again. I overcame my fears, insecurities, laziness, and procrastination during my weight loss journey. I haven’t reached my ideal weight so I am still working hard and learning each day.
Any suggestions for future transformers?
The most important learning for everyone is about yourself, everybody is different and we all need to understand how our body functions, what it craves, and what it needs. It’s not necessary that one type of workout will work for everyone, different types of workout and eating habits work for different people. Listen to your stomach, it does speak. Discipline yourself but don’t be brutal on yourself. Sometimes it’s okay to not work out. Sometimes it’s okay to eat what you are craving. Your body will learn and adapt with time but you will have to give your body that time. You will learn more about yourself everyday in your journey. NEVER compare your journey with anyone else, it doesn’t matter if your transformation is fast or slow it will eventually happen, don’t compare your journey to others no matter what anyone says. Don’t hate yourself for the way you look, things can be changed one day at a time and it’s in our control. And realising that you can control everything will empower you to change yourself and build your dream body. I am doing it , yet little away from my abs, but if I can do it, anyone can do it. All you need is to TRUST YOURSELF!
