Rediff reader Subash tells us how he went from an unhealthy 117 kg to 86 kg in just six months.
If you have recently lost weight, you can share your story too!
I work in the hospitality industry and have a fairly active social life.
However, due to family and professional stress, I started putting on weight.
When my body's metabolism was swift, the rate of gain was manageable.
I used to work out on the treadmill, play badminton and visited the gym liberally. Yet, I started piling on weight.
In August 2018, I hit 117 kg.
I took time off and signed up for a 2 week Ayurveda camp with dry skin massages, diet and started walking for an hour.
During this period, I lost 5 kg. I also realised the 'science of losing weight.'
When I came back, I used the learning, augmented with online research and used an amalgam of techniques to bring my weight down by 31 kg in 6 months without much of collateral damage or feeling weak.
Most of what I did during these six months were against the conventional advice provided by well wishers and gym trainers with commercial instincts.
I was often advised to do heavy exercises, go slow on cardios, lift weights and take protein supplements.
'Eat more lean meat, develop muscles so automatically the fat will reduce; starve yourself with one chapati per meal'...these are some of suggestions I ignored.
I chalked out a simple, sustainable method that I could do the trick.
To follow my routine, you will need to have discipline and motivation.
After one month, when you look at yourself in the mirror, you will feel happy about your achievement.
You may even think of getting a new wardrobe or amending your existing ones just to keep you motivated and going.
I am sharing with you the diet and regime that worked for me. The idea is to keep it simple.
The theory of starving the body of carbohydrates ensures your metabolism is immediately attacked and the body uses the stored fat for energy. This will never happen if you have enough carbohydrate supplements in your diet. But since you are eating enough of dal and veggies, you are not totally starved too.
I stuck to this schedule for 3 to 4 weeks and it soon became a part of my routine.
I'd have my cheat days after 2 months, once every week. I'd go to a good restaurant to enjoy food and maybe have a round of drinks to celebrate.
With the above routine, I managed to lose 2 kg per week.
Every few weeks, I'd hit the plateau which would last for about a week. In these six months, I may have had approx 12 to 14 cheat days thanks to client meetings, reunions, weddings etc
I am 86 kg and plan to reduce another 3 to 4 kg soon.
Reader Invite
Have you recently lost weight? We want you to share your weight loss story with us.
Share your detailed diet plan, tips and advice with our readers.
Write in to getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'Fat to Fit'), with a before and after photograph, if possible, and we'll feature the best entries right here!
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