Weight loss story: “I had 7 egg white omelette for breakfast and did Dhyana Yoga to lose 66 kilos in 8 months”

Weighing 137 kilos not only took a toll on Ankit Dodd’s professional life, but it also gave light to several health issues. From lower back pain to fatigue to feeling low in confidence, being obese only made things difficult for the 31-year-old. However, with the help of Dhyana Yoga and healthy eating, he managed to do the unthinkable. In just 8 months, he lost about 66 kgs and has not looked back since. Here’s his weight loss story:

Also read: Weight loss story: “I measure my meals before cooking to keep a track of calories”

Name: Ankit Dodd

Occupation: Professional Pastry Chef

Age: 31yrs

Height: 5’9”

City: Vancouver

Highest weight recorded: 137 kgs

Weight lost: 66 kgs

Duration it took me to lose weight: 8 months

Being obese made me prone to various health issues. I suffered from constant fatigue, was unable to walk and could not find the right size of clothes for my body. All of these factors really pushed me to set some fitness goals.

Additionally, from the time I started doing Dhayan yoga (meditation), it made me more aware of my thoughts, emotions & actions. It made me realize that our body and soul are two different entities and that the law of karma pertains to our own body before anything or anyone else outside.

My breakfast: 7 egg white omelette in 2 slices of whole wheat bread with spinach, tomatoes & mustard/100 gm Turkey breast deli style on 2 slices multigrain bread with tomatoes & mustard/2 pieces egg benedict without hollandaise sauce on wheat bread with ham & spring onions.

My lunch: 3 large bananas (180 gm each) or 3 Mangoes, 2 large pears (230 gm each), 1 large apple (200 gm each ), 1 large orange/plums (240 gm each ) or 1 California roll Sushi or Turkey breast 6” subway sandwich, all veggies, no cheese & in dressing sweet onion & mustard.

My dinner: Homemade 800 gm bone-in whole tandoori chicken/chicken tikka/500 gm fish tikka, 6 cups leaf lettuce with tomatoes, cucumber, orange, half avocado & 20 pcs oven baked lays chips.

OR

400 gm (from restaurant) boneless Butter chicken (whole breast) with 2 slices brown bread OR

400 gm Dal (any homemade)with 2 slices bread OR

400 gm white Chole curry (homestyle) with 2 slices brown bread

OR

350 gm Palak paneer with 1 slice brown bread OR

1 Masala Dosa with sambar & 1 Idli (From restaurant)

OR

Subway Turkey Breast / Roasted Chicken Footlong , All Veggies , No Cheese , Avocado & in dressing Mustard & sweet onion sauce plus 20 pcs Oven baked lays salted

Pre-workout meal: 1 large orange carrot or cucumber, 15 pcs air dry walnuts or almonds

Post- workout meal: 6 whole egg whites boiled OR 250 ml no sugar banana milk shake or strawberry milk shake

I indulge in (What you eat on your cheat days): Mostly it's a 1 cheat meal & complete rest. No workout as well. Half plate butter chicken & 1 laccha parantha & chicken tikka Or dal makhani or Chicken burger with 20 pcs french fries OR Kung Pao Chicken whole plate from restaurant.

Low-calorie recipes I swear by: Homemade tandoori chicken without yogurt but with all the spices and using 2 egg white to moisten the marination & I keep playing around with salads fusing it with indian kebabs or Tandoori items

I do 30 minutes of Dhayan Yoga (meditation) at any time of day. Also, I indulge in 20 minutes of treadmill running, 30 minutes elliptical, 10 minutes cycling, 2 body parts strength training - 2 exercise each, 3 intervals of 1 minute each Phalakasana, 6 days every week.

It's all about where your calories come from. Your mood to energy level depends on the kind of food you ate and the calorie-intake. 400 calories from a McDonalds burger would make you feel lethargic & drained whereas 400 calories from bananas, mangoes etc whole fruits would keep you very active & full of energy. Also, as whole fruits provide 0 calories from fat, it gives pure energy.

How do I stay motivated?: Dhayan Yoga (Meditation) played a vital role in keeping me going towards my goal. It helps you watch your thoughts and emotions which play the most important part in all your actions in life ! Meditation doesn't mean to think positively, it simply means to watch your thoughts and recognize the emotions coming from it, it brings peace & a feeling of wholesome.

How do you ensure you don’t lose focus?: Meditation is the key to staying focused. Once you turn inwards and start watching your thoughts & emotions you get a sense of control over your actions, as it's emotion that makes us give in to temptations.

At 137 kg, my whole life seemed difficult - fatigue from walking small distances, my work began to suffer as it demanded being active, no clothes fit me. I had to go to plus size shops for my size clothes. My confidence suffered terribly and refrained from being social as well.

What was the lowest point for you?: A month before I started my weight loss journey, I suffered from lower back pain for the first time ever. I still can't forget that day - my lower back became so heavy it took me 25 minutes just to stand on my feet & still I could not take a step forward. It felt like I was stuck and ultimately had to dial 911 for an ambulance. And in the hospital, doctors said it was because of my weight that my lower back muscles spasmed. My whole career was at stake as my job as a Professional Pastry chef is mostly standing & moving. As I was used to doing Dhayan yoga, it made me aware & gave me the strength to get back to my normal shape. Since the time I lost weight, all my back problems have cured. I went for a complete medical checkup after my weight loss journey & my doctor told me I was in better health than ever before with all my medical problems solved.

What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line?: I plan to maintain myself in this shape by being physically active and not going back to my old habits.

I included lots of fruits & veggies in my daily diet, counting portions of fried food & altogether being aware of what I put in my body .

Lessons learnt from weight loss: The most important lesson I learnt is that with an unconquerable will to achieve something, consistency, discipline, honesty with yourself & patience, anything in life can be achieved!

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.