Weight loss story: " I quit non-vegetarian food, managed my stress and lost 25 kilos"

41-year-old Sarika Mehra often faced judgemental looks and was bullied by her peers because of her weight. When the excess weight posed problems in her daily routine, she knew that the only way to fight back is by losing weight and so she did!

Here's her powerful weight loss story to inspire you

Name: Sarika Mehra

Occupation: Teacher

Age:41

Height: 5 feet 6 inches

City: Pinjore

Highest weight recorded: 98 kilos

Weight lost: 25 kilos

Duration it took me to lose weight: 2 years

I was so overweight that I became the centre of attention (jokes and constant stares) when I happened to attend my kids PTM. I was completely embarrassed and didn't want the humiliation to continue any further. I took it as the sign to transform my sedentary lifestyle into a fitter one.

My breakfast: I like to take healthy carb options for breakfast, such as porridge, wheat flakes with milk, or a brown bread sandwich. It also keeps me energized.

My lunch: Usually carbs with a side of heavy proteins and vegetables ( sometimes bran mix with wheat flour and vegetables or dal cheela with vegetables or besan cheela with vegetables)

My dinner: I finish my meal before 7:30 pm and again, it's usually some form of healthy carbs and proteins so something like a bowl of dal and vegetables, or a bowl full of papaya.

Pre-workout meal: Green tea

Post-workout meal: Green tea again

I indulge in (What you eat on your cheat days): Ice cream or laccha paratha and shahi paneer or puri aloo (twice in a month)

Low-calorie recipes I swear by: I like to have low-carb meals or fruits

I walk 3 times a day for 25-30 minutes each time.

Following a plant-based diet brings in so many healthy changes. I left eating non-vegetarian foods in my diet and focussed on including more natural carbs, fats and proteins.

Apart from this, I also focussed on reducing my stress levels and kept myself surrounded by positivity at all times.

When I started my weight loss journey, I focussed on loving and living for myself. Like they say, with an empty cup, you cannot pour anything.

How do you ensure you don’t lose focus? I used to discuss or tell to everyone that i am on a weight loss journey so not only would they constantly motivate me and ask for updates, it also became sort of like a promise I had to keep upto, and prove myself to be the real winner.

There were many hiccups and difficulties, but the worst part was that because of the constant tiredness and exhaustion, I couldn't even do my household daily chores with ease.

What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line? My journey hasn't ended and I will continue to make healthy changes. My goal is to bring down my weight to 60 kilos and maintain a healthy figure.

What are the lifestyle changes you made? I started to eat healthy, engage in regular physical activity. Also, I started becoming more positive, smiled a lot!

Whenever I was joked on or bullied by colleagues, known acquaintances, it felt pretty bad and lowered my self-esteem.

Lessons learnt from weight loss: To become healthy, wealthy and wise is the biggest gift which you can give yourself, and the only change which benefits you in the long run.

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.