Neha Gupta had tried losing weight multiple times, by following all possible fad diets and workouts but none worked out. Losing weight became an unfulfilled dream for her. She had also put on extra weight during pregnancy, and faced some potential consequences as well. Only when she looked for a holistic solution to her troubles did she see results! Now, she's a freelance nutrition and fitness consultant and inspires many to make the change as well! Here's her super motivating weight loss story which details her drastic transformation.
Name: Neha Gupta
Occupation: Nutrition and Fitness Consultant
Age: 34
Height: 5 feet 2 inches
City: Kolkata
Highest weight recorded: 114 kgs (During my pregnancy), and 110 (post-pregnancy)
Weight lost: 49 kgs
Duration it took me to lose weight:
13-14 months approximately
The turning point:
I have always aspired to be fit and lose weight and can vouch for the fact it was no less than a dream for me. I had tried many times before to lose weight but totally failed. Boiled food diet, avoided rice, yoga, hours and hours of cardio etc- everything done and dusted. I only ended up gaining weight even when the only thing I had was simple homemade food! Even during pregnancy, I had put on more weight which then brought on further complications including Thyroid issues, irregular periods and made me feel depressed seeing my own pictures. It reached a point where I didn't want to get clicked anymore or take selfies. Then, one fine day, I came through a social media platform that promoted a healthy lifestyle and I didn't look back after that day!
My breakfast: Bread cheese sandwich/ Bread paneer sandwich ( I use 10 gm butter ) with tea or coffee.
My lunch: Paratha/ fried rice/ pasta/ Noodles/ ( anything in form of carbs), eggs, any pulses or legumes, Paneer, Curd, green vegetables, salad (basically a combo of carbs+protein+fats+fibre) all I cooked in 10 -15 gm ghee.
My dinner: Chicken Biryani, Paneer paratha, green vegetables (basically a combo of carbs+protein+fats+fibre) all I cooked in 10 -15 gm ghee.
Pre-workout meal: Black Coffee
Post-workout meal:
Whey Protein ( its not mandatory,just my protein intake and I have a sweet tooth, I loved it)
I indulge in (What you eat on your cheat days): I basically like to eat everything and anything I don't on regular days- ice cream, sweets, junk food etc. However, I know the quality of the food I know and watch the quantity that I eat.
Low-calorie recipes I swear by: Soya and paneer halwa, Overnight oats with a sugar-free supplement, Roasted soya chunks ( actually I cook many things in low calories too, since I am following this lifestyle for the last 3.5 years, and I now guide my clients too in cooking quantified way.
My workout: 6 days of strength training, I love to do cardio too so I adjust that in my plan for 10-15 mins (2-3 days in a week) I spend 6 days of the week engaging in strength training. I love to do cardio too, so I adjust that in my plan and do it for 10-15 minutes, a couple of days a week. I have also made it a habit to complete 10-12k steps all 7 days of the week.
Fitness secrets I unveiled: No single diet can help you lose 10 kilos in a month and you must not fall prey to fad diets. Anything that mentions- no diet, no workout to lose 15 kgs by drinking shakes or detox teas should be a big NO.
Remember, there is no shortcut to losing weight so be disciplined and be prepared to see slow but steady results.
Everybody is different and what works for one will not work for everyone. The 'perfect' weight loss diet should be something which can be sustained for the long run according to our lifestyle, food preference, eating habits, medical issues ( thyroid, PCOS, PCOD, diabetes, etc) there are many things which need to take care while planning any diet chart. So, do not wait for a shortcut or a miracle!
How do I stay motivated? Looking back at my old pictures motivates me that how far I have come, and secondly, my clients when they say ma'am I want to be like you (this makes me feel so happy that they are getting inspired by seeing me).
How do you ensure you don’t lose focus? No way can I now lose my focus. Now I have started freelancing as a Nutrition and Fitness Consultant. So it’s my passion now, I can’t afford to lose my focus.
What’s the most difficult part of being overweight?
Not getting into my favourite dresses, low energy, low self-esteem, lack of confidence.
What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line? I want to be fit till my last breathe, not physically but also mentally and that is possible with FIT MIND FIT BODY ONLY. And I want to help people in achieving their fitness goals.
What are the lifestyle changes you made?
I know what I am eating, before buying any food product I check its nutritional information. I Track my calories for me and my family too.
What was the lowest point for you?
Being 110 kgs I was at my worst position, unable to carry my 6 months son. I also started to avoid social gatherings and family functions, posting pictures on social media. Not being able to wear my favourite dress and getting to hear that 'madam, aapka size isme available nahi hai' (your size isn't available in this design) was extremely disheartening.
Lessons learnt from weight loss:
-To lose weight one should follow a balanced diet, you can eat everything no need to avoid rice, cheese, paneer, butter, noodles etc (BY EATING EVERYTHING ONE CAN LOSE WEIGHT BUT IN DEFICIT).
Simply said, IF YOU WANT YOU CAN.
If you have a weight loss story to share, send it to us at toi.health1@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER
These views are not generic in nature. What worked for the writer may not work for you. So avoid following this article blindly. Find out what works for your body.
