Weight loss story: “Following a vegan diet and lifting weights helped me lose weight”

Neeru Sharma believes in staying fit and healthy. There was a time when she was unfit and even had trouble climbing stairs. Now, she is more determined and dedicated to lead a healthier lifestyle. She has achieved a major fitness transformation and looks forward to getting better in the future. Here’s her inspiring weight loss journey.

Also read: Weight loss story: “I lost 47 kilos by watching my calorie intake and exercising for an hour daily”

Name: Neeru Sharma

Occupation: Human Resource professional

Age: 43yrs

Height: 5'5''

City: Gurgaon

Highest weight recorded: 75 kgs

Current weight: 51-52 kgs

Duration it took me to lose weight: I lost track and stopped checking my weight after I fell in love with the process. Have been working out since 2016.

For me, every day is a turning point - when I am able to perform better, run for a longer distance, and lift heavier weights than the previous day. There's no looking back.

My breakfast: I am a vegan. No dairy, eggs or other animal products. Breakfast is usually seasonal fruits/poha/upma/quinoa/vegan butter

My lunch: Lentils, chickpeas, beans, lots of vegetables like spinach, broccoli, peas

My dinner: Very light early dinner like roti, soups etc.

Pre-workout meal: Banana/Coffee

Post-workout meal: Shakes with vegan milk, fruits, nuts

I indulge in (What you eat on your cheat days): Everything and whenever I want to. I have a sweet tooth, hence I love mithai. I eat all mithais but focus on the quantity. I don't have "cheat" days. I find the word cheat very negative. I can't be cheating on myself.

Low-calorie recipes I swear by: Vegan food

I primarily indulge in weight lifting. I am an amateur powerlifter. It’s lifting combined with cardio and strength training along with a bit of mobility.

Fitness takes time and there is no shortcut to it. It's a never ending journey and not a destination.

How do I stay motivated?: I love iron. The barbell, dumbbells, the kettlebells, all motivate me . The heavier they are, the better it is.

How do you ensure you don’t lose focus?: Just focus on being better than the previous day. I am my competition.

Being overweight is being unhealthy. You cannot lead a normal life when you have creaking knees, fall sick every now and then, feel out of breath by climbing a couple of stairs etc.

What was the lowest point for you?: When I was at the metro station and had to take the stairs as the escalator was not working. I almost fainted after climbing the stairs. I was so short of breath. That moment I decided, I have to change myself.

What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line?: Fitter than what I am now. The fittest and sexiest 53 year old woman lifting heavy weights anyone would see :)

I changed my life, my eating habits, my preferences, my sleeping pattern and my workout schedule. Negativity, negative vibes have no place in my life.

Lessons learnt from weight loss: Love your body. It is the only place you have to live. Your body is your temple - God's greatest gift...don’t abuse it. And yes..Health is not wealth..health is life. Health is not about losing weight...anyone can lose weight, it's about being fit, leading a qualitative life. One life..don't just exist..live it up.

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.