Weight loss story: “Besides eating healthy and walking daily, breastfeeding also helped me lose calories”

Daljeet Kaur was tired of her friends telling her that it was impossible to lose weight post-pregnancy. They urged her to buy large-sized clothes as they believed she would never be the same again. However, Daljeet made sure and decided to prove everyone wrong. With proper diet, exercise and portion control, she achieved her desired weight in just 2 months. Here’s her story:

Also read: Weight loss story: “I focus on eating more protein and less carbs to lose weight”

Name: Daljeet Kaur

Occupation: Homemaker

Age: 30

Height: 5'5

City: Amritsar

Highest weight recorded: 71.3 kgs ( highest recorded during pregnancy)

Current weight : 57 kg

Weight lost: 14.3 kgs

Duration it took me to lose weight: 2 months

I had gained a lot of weight post-pregnancy. Many of my friends who had been pregnant before told me it was impossible to lose weight after delivering a baby. Rather than discouraging me, it pushed me to fight against all odds and achieve my weight loss goals. I just could not imagine myself being unhealthy.

My breakfast: 2 slices of wholemeal bread with chai (with jaggery) and panjiri (home-made traditional meal), which is made in the winter. Dry fruits, powered lentils , small quantity sugar)

My lunch: 1 roti or rice, with dal, sabzi (home-made)

My dinner: Sabzi, dal, rice or roti (I never eat more than one roti in my meals)

Post- workout meal: Fruits

I indulge in (What you eat on your cheat days): Paratha, naan, home-made sweets or ice cream but very small portions.

Low-calorie recipes I swear by: Moong dal chilla, paneer, makhana.

I walked 2000 steps for a week after delivery. Then gradually I increased the step count to 8000.

Watching your calorie intake and eating a highly nutritious diet is of utmost importance. For me, my diet and my daily walks are the two things that helped me lose weight.

I also strongly advocate breastfeeding. Not only does it give nutrition to the baby and build immunity, but it also helps the mother lose 300-400 calories daily.

How do I stay motivated?: I have always wanted to be a fit mother for my daughter.

How do you ensure you don’t lose focus?: Now that I value the nutritious content in meals rather than just taste, I am more conscious about what I put in my mouth. I also make it a goal to treat myself with all the meals that I miss during dieting, (sweets, ice-cream etc.), but I only eat a portion of it. After eating 1/4 portion, I hardly feel like having anything anymore. I only focus on healthy eating, keeping fit and enjoying life. Eat what you like but just in 1/4 portion just to satisfy that sweet tooth.

Being overweight is emotionally draining. When one feels like they can never lose weight, it is very depressing.

What was the lowest point for you?: Not really the lowest point but yes, I wanted to prove all my friends wrong who kept saying that losing weight after having a baby is not possible. They urged me to start buying XX size clothes, claiming one can never slim down after childbirth.

What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line?: Perfect , slim and fit.

Eating healthy homemade food. I replaced sugar with jaggery powder. Also, walking became a regular routine for me.

Lessons learnt from weight loss:

It is never too late to be healthy.

Always eat healthy and homemade food .

Focus on nutrition and not just the taste.

Exercise and walking brought a lot of strength, agility and energy in me. I'll continue to do that.

If you have a weight loss story to share, send it to us at toi.health1@gmail.com

These views are not generic in nature. Weight loss results vary for individuals and the views shared in this article offer no guarantee of specific results. The content is not intended in any way as a substitute for professional advice.