Weight loss story: “I replaced rice with millets and lost a massive 60 kilos in a year"

Balajepalli Sastry had been leading a sedentary, erratic lifestyle for the longest time. Stress and lack of time made him suffer from obesity, so much so, he was actually rejected from a job enrolment on physical grounds. That turned out to be the biggest realization for him which made him give his best efforts and transform for the better.

Name: Balajepalli Shivaram Sastry

Occupation: Senior Project Engineer

Age: 28 years

Height: 5'10" (177 CM)

City: Currently living in Bangalore

Highest weight recorded: 134 kilos (as on 28 January 2020)

Lowest weight recorded: 74 Kilos (21st November 2020), went to 73 kilos (13th Jan 2021)

Weight lost: 60 kilos

Duration it took me to lose weight: 9 Months.

Also See: How To Lose Weight

I have always been a sedentary person and participated in basic physical activity. Even if I ate less, I used to put on weight easy. Since I had a job that often required me to work overtime, travel and has erratic schedules, I had put on more weight. The problem got so much worse, I was actually rejected for a job enrolment on physical grounds! So, when I finally crossed the 134-kilo mark, and BMI fell in the morbid obesity category, I realized it was high time I get fitter to suit the lifestyle I led and face my work head-on.

There were also health problems. I had hypertension for five years, anxiety and depression for the last two years. But thanks to weight loss, for the last year I am off medicines. Since my 10th standard everyone addressed me as “uncle”. Now everyone calls me “Anna/ Thammu/ Bhaiyya”

Regular South Indian delicacies like upma or idly or dosa (with millets) or steel-cut oats cooked or sauteed sprouts or boiled chana with a cup of toned milk, fresh fruit or salad.

My lunch: Rice replaced with millets. Added more Dal and curries. No fried foods and everything was in measured quantities.

My dinner: No dinner (Followed Intermittent Fasting with 9AM to 5PM eating window. 5PM to 9AM Fasting window)

Pre-workout meal: Nothing specific, black coffee

Post-workout meal: Breakfast/ Protein Shake

I indulge in (What you eat on your cheat days): A medium cheese burst pizza, whole packet of biscuits with coffee, a dozen Idly with peanut chutney in my dreams!!!!

Absolutely no cheat days during those 9 months. I had a piece of millet flour cake sweetened with dates for my birthday, my mom improvised that recipe respecting my commitment and not compromising on taste. Yes, it works that way!

Low-calorie recipes I swear by: Sauteed Veggies, soups

I followed a daily routine where I followed:

1) 5 to 8 Km Brisk Walk

2) 30 Min Stationary cycling

3) All kinds of Exercises and stretches for 45 min as per a routine.

Fitness secrets I unveiled:

1) Our body is wonderful. We just need to unveil its potential.

2) Intermittent fasting: it was recommended by my physician, and I feel it greatly helped.

3) I use kitchen scale to measure food.

4) I burn more calories through cardio. Do not skip cardio.

5) Sleep well. Minimum 7 hours a day.

Have faith in yourself. That's the biggest motivation you'll ever need on your path to progress. Despite failing multiple times over the years before, I knew the hard work and energy I had put in was going to bring in results definitely. I was seeing the changes everyday. Most of all, I believed in what I was doing, and results kept me going.

How do you ensure you do not lose focus?

Looking at the improvement and reminiscing the past, imagining the future. Honestly, I had no choice but to lose weight. I thought about my family. I have been through a lot of stress before, and that made me put on weight as well, apart from the lifestyle I was leading. So, the change happened for good.

My decreasing weight graph also helped me to stay focused.

I started with Intermittent fasting and weight loss journey on 3rd Feb 2020. During March 2020, I had to travel a lot. I was in Uttarakhand when lockdown was announced, somehow reached home just before the flights got suspended. As the lockdown began, I became very lazy and skipped my walking etc for a week. I was losing it and this entire attempt would have remained another failure. My sister is a great source of inspiration and motivation. She made me realise that this should not stop. I was back on my track from first week of April and never stopped.

Being unable to participate in most of the activities. Or the fact that I was medically declared to be obese, that wasn't pleasant at all. I also majorly lacked in confidence.

I also battled hypertension, depression and had to listen to constant advice from everyone.

No specific goal, maintaining a healthy weight, a fit and toned body and being healthy is what I want.

What are the lifestyle changes you made?

Following sleep routine, never skipping workouts, watch on what I eat.

I was very much obsessed with the word “unlimited”, and I was a huge fan of unlimited thalis/buffet at restaurants. But ever since I started measuring my food intake, counting calories and macronutrients has become a new obsession, which is healthy.

I am dealing with health complications of my family members which made me think about my health, I can take their responsibility only if I am healthy.

Lessons learnt from weight loss:

Consistency is the key, it does wonder.

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.