Written By: Upneet Pansare | Updated : October 24, 2017 10:32 PM IST
When you re going though Shraddha Rao s Instagram pictures, it is difficult to believe that there was a time when this personal trainer couldn t even climb 3 stairs without panting. Or that this 22-year-old who lifts weights every day and trains others to do so, couldn t even walk straight without stumbling because of her heavy body frame. Mumbai resident Shraddha has indeed come a long way after losing almost 12 kgs in a span of a year and a half. But it s not just weight that she managed to reduce. Her amazing weight loss has helped her get rid of a number of physical and mental issues. She loved getting fit so much, she took up a personal training course. If you don t feel motivated enough to shed your laziness and work out and be fit, you must read and share Shraddha s story. Here are 7 positive changes she has seen in her body after losing weight, exercising and becoming fit.
1) I can now shop in women s section: At her heaviest, Shraddha was 96 kgs with 50 percent body fat and almost negligible muscle mass. She is 5 8. I was an active athletics sportsperson. I participated in throwball, shotput, javelin, discus and hammer throw, and basketball. But my weight had always been a problem. I would wear men s 4 XL. But thanks to consistent work outs and a monitored diet, now I can wear women s L. (Read:My weight loss story- 15 things I did to lose 30 kgs)
2) I fought bulimia: I was always told to eat less and I was made to feel guilty about what I ate. There were days when I ate only a piece of pav in the morning and starve throughout the day. There were times when I did not eat anything for the whole week. Then after hunger would strike me, I would binge eat. And then because of the guilt of binge eating, I would throw up everything. I would throw up even after eating healthy food. I just didn t feel I deserved food. Now, I enjoy eating food and respect it. I can regulate my diet well and I know exactly what to put in me. I realized starvation wasn t getting me anywhere. I gained weight when I didn t eat. When I started eating is when I started losing weight. (Read:Healthy weight loss breakfast recipe- Kobiche Bhanole)
3) I have overcome clinical depression: I was diagnosed with clinical depression in my eighth grade and that s when I suddenly started bloating up. I had zero motivation to do anything. My life was spiralling out of control. I, a national level sports player, was told that I was too fat to play and wasn't allowed to participate. I was called moti who couldn t do anything in life. There was immense self-doubt and hatred that I had towards myself.
4) I no longer have low self-esteem: I had been bullied throughout my life as a result of which I had always felt isolated. I used to look into the mirror and think I can t do anything. But it was only later that I realized that I can t do it because I DON T it. This realization came in the gym when I tried lifting weights. I had the strength to lift weights which were as heavy as the men in the gym were lifting. This surprised me. I never knew I could it! This led me to believe that I could do much more. I m so much more confident now. (Read:Weight loss of 45 kgs without a personal trainer)
5) I can balance my body better: I couldn t walk without stumbling because I used to be very wobbly due to the fat in my body. I also have flat feet which made the simple act of walking even more difficult for me. I used to trip frequently because I couldn't balance myself.
6) I have a LOT of energy: My day starts at 3.15 am in the morning. I usually cook my own food. I travel almost 2 hours to get to work. I spend my day training others in the gym and do my own workouts too. After returning from work, I do meal prep for the next day. I don t get much time for sleep but I can function with less sleep thanks to my high fitness levels. (Read: How this hot fitness trainer lost weight to look this sexy!)
7) I have developed a better relationship with food: I used to consume tubs and tubs of ice cream before. I had no control over my junk food addiction. Now I mainly eat protein and fat like chicken and eggs with cheese, nuts and butter throughout the day and occasionally (once in 2 weeks) I eat some carbs like white rice and French fries! I eat what I want, when I want because I have better control over myself now. And this feels real good!
Image source: Shraddha Rao
