Weight loss story: “I started my day with a glass of water followed by walk and lost 11 kilos”

Dr Seema Mittal was always lean and thin when she was a young girl. However, after her marriage and pregnancy, she struggled with weight gain. It even got worse when she hit menopause and her weight further soared to a staggering 74 kilos. Being a doctor by profession, she soon realised the implications of leading an unhealthy lifestyle. She decided to mend her ways and took her fitness seriously. Here’s how she achieved her weight loss goals:

Also read: Weight loss story: “I ate a balanced diet, did cardio and strength training to lose 21 kilos”

Name: Dr Seema Mittal

Occupation: Doctor

Age: 53 years

Height: 157cm

City: Rewari

Highest weight recorded: 74 kg

Weight lost: 11 kg

Duration it took me to lose weight: 7 months

I was always a lean, thin girl. But post my marriage and pregnancy, I started gaining weight. I did try to lose weight in between but it never worked. But when I hit menopause, my weight started soaring high, going from 71 to 74 kgs. This was a wake up call. Being a doctor I knew the consequences of being overweight and its effects on the joints and bones. That’s when I decided to do something about my weight.

My morning started with a glass of water followed by a walk.

My breakfast: Protein shake with soaked almonds + 1 fruit + idli/oats/poha

My lunch: Plate full of seasonal salad, 2 chapatis, curd, dal and 1 bowl vegetable.

My dinner: Salad + 1 chapati + 1 bowl vegetable

Pre-workout meal: No specific meal, lukewarm water

Post- workout meal: 20gm protein shake in the morning with soaked almonds. In the evening, a glass of milk.

I indulge in (What you eat on your cheat days): Mostly sweets, though no specific cheat day. I eat whenever I feel like - sweets, preferably in the morning. But I do count my calories.

Snacks: Peanuts or gram roasted onion and tomato with a cup of tea.

My day starts with a morning walk. Initially, I started with 1 km. However, now I walk 7km a day.

During the evening, I indulge in an hour of exercise, which includes aerobic, zumba, yoga and a 20 minute dance routine, each with the help of a trainer.

Some of the fitness secrets that I have unveiled throughout my weight loss journey are:

- Eat less than you burn

- Eat maximum in the morning

- Drink plenty of water and eat lots of salads

How do I stay motivated?: I make sure that I read all the fitness stories on ETimes Lifestyle page.

We have made a group of 4 friends and we make sure that each of us goes for morning walks and does regular exercise.

How do you ensure you don’t lose focus?: I make sure to remind myself of how good I feel after my transformation. I also help others to lose weight, which motivates me tremendously.

The most difficult part of being overweight is feeling unfit all the time. You get tired easily, you feel low and your joints are fatigued all the time.

What was the lowest point for you?: The lowest point was when my BP and sugar started to fluctuate. It became a now of never situation for me.

What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line?: I want to lose 3 more kilos and stay with the same fitness.

Being a doctor, I used to stay awake till late even when I was not busy, which is why I also got up late. Now I go to bed at 11pm and wake up at 6:30am.

Additionally, morning walk was never a part of my fitness regime but I now find it the best way to start my day with. Evening exercise and yoga also give me new energy and sound sleep.

Lessons learnt from weight loss: One must be well aware of what is going inside their body.

- Your bowel must stay active

- Fitness is not one day affair and group activities are better than solo activities

- Multiple efforts at losing weight failed. I realised it’s now or never a situation for me.

After menopause, losing weight becomes a challenge. So sooner the better.

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.