We'd asked you, dear readers, to share your fitness stories and learnings with us.
Here, Amit Singh, 32 from Delhi shares his incredible weightloss journey.
I work as a business development manager at Schindler India.
Thanks to an unhealthy lifestyle, I'd slowly started gaining weight.
In July 2018, when I had my sugar checked, I realised I was diabetic.
My sugar level was 494 and I weighed 140 kg at the time. I was almost unable to walk.
My wife Dipti had warned me earlier but I never paid attention.
After the reports came, she encouraged me to focus on my health.
I did not hire a trainer or visit a dietician because I know my body best.
My weight loss journey
I started cutting down on junk food and saw my weight drop by half a kilo in the first week.
That motivated me further. I consciously decided to avoid junk food, potato and sugar.
At the same time I started walking for 40 minutes in the morning and evening.
Every day, I start at 5.30 am in the morning and walk for 40 minutes in my (housing) society's premises.
In the evening, I step out for 40 minutes of brisk walking. During this time, I leave my phone at home or keep it switched off to avoid any distractions.
Diet
For my diet, I focused on pulses and green vegetables.
Although I hated eating karela (bitter gourd), I included it in my diet twice a week as it helps fight diabetes.
In the winter, I have cabbage, cauliflower and beans.
I added boiled vegetables, especially carrots to my diet and cut down on roti.
In fruits, I avoid pineapple.
Breakfast: 1 roti (mostly bajra) and vegetables
Lunch: 2 rotis and vegetables
Evening: 1 glass milk and 2 Marie biscuits.
Before dinner, if I felt hungry, I would snack on roasted corn or murmura.
Dinner: 1 roti and vegetables
Since I am diabetic, sometimes I'd feel dizzy. But I never gave up. I believe that life is about overcoming obstacles.
In eight months, I managed to lose 35 kg.
Every Saturday, I get my weight checked. I check my sugar every 3 months and visit our family doctor.
I have successfully managed to control my sugar level and bring it to normal.
Since I have lost weight, I feel very healthy and motivated. At work, people have noticed the change and it has made me more confident.
I am 105 kg and plan to reduce another 20 kg.
Since my height is 6'2", 85 kg would be an apt.
Lessons learned
A key reason I learned from my success is the importance of intent. If your intent is right, you will be successful.
Also, it is important to listen to your body. A doctor or expert can only guide you.
Ultimately, you have to take control of your life and health.
As told to Divya Nair/Rediff.com
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