Written By: Upneet Pansare | Updated : February 1, 2017 4:13 PM IST
Habiba s amazing weight loss transformation is a tale of hard work, dedication and patience. The 40-year-old mother of one had always been overweight, but after pregnancy and delivery, her health weight and health worsened. Four years ago, at 5.7 , Habiba weighed 96 kgs. Her unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle were to blame for it. Habiba s diet then was a disaster she would wake up and down a can of Coke every morning. Her lunch would be heavy, greasy. Snacks would consist of junk street food and she would often eat out for dinner. Worse is, to compensate for the junk food she ate the previous day, she would skip meals the next day. Skipping meals can make you gain weight. To make matters worse, Habiba had given up trying to get fit. Everywhere I went, people would talk to me about my weight and try to offer some advice. I had tried everything gymming, yoga and dieting---and failed to lose weight. I had become lethargic and overweight, lacked confidence, had low self esteem, zero energy and hope, Habiba says.
Her weight also gave rise to high blood pressure. I was especially alarmed when my blood pressure reading hovered around 140/90 despite popping two tablets per day. I even had extreme knee pain. I couldn t do most of the household chores because I couldn t bend down or stand for a long time, Habiba says.
Her healthy weight loss journey
This was when her cousin decided to introduce her to fitness expert Junaid Kaliwala. Habiba went to Junaid very reluctantly. I never believed any good would come out of this meeting. But what he said to me made me change my mind. He told me to give him just one month. He said I was free to leave if I didn t see any change in myself, she says.
And so it began. For one month, Habiba says, her diet and exercise was strictly monitored. I used to do cardio thrice a week and then functional training and strength training on the rest of the days. Every day, Junaid would make me do a different routine that would challenge my body. For those 30 days, Habiba gave up junk food, chocolates, her beloved colas and also checking her weight. I wasn t allowed to check my weight for that one whole month. And when I did, I was shocked. I had lost 8 kgs! she reveals. Habiba continued her exercise and diet for another eight months in which she lost a whopping 28 kgs.
How exercising and healthy eating changed her
She didn t just lose weight. She lists the other healthy changes she noticed in her-
1) It is nothing short of a miracle, but I never felt like eating junk food after that. On my birthday, I tried to have a piece of my birthday cake and some other fried snacks. But I was completely put off by the smell and the taste! There was a time when I could finish 2 pastries and an entire bar of chocolate at one go. But that wasn t the case anymore.
2) I discovered the power of eggs. I hated eggs earlier. But I started eating them after I came to know the immense health benefits of eggs. Now, I try different egg recipes and that is my favourite go-to meal.
3) I never skip breakfast or any other meal.
4) I did not like functional training when I started working out. It was just too difficult and tiring for me. But gradually I began to enjoy it once I started seeing the results. I was able to build my stamina and tone my body.
5) I don't really need any motivation to exercise. Whenever I feel like giving up exercising, I look at my old photos where I looked fat and ask myself if I want to go back to looking like that. The answer keeps me motivated.
6) My confidence levels have shot up. I can carry off any dress. I feel so energetic. Exercising has made me happier. The best part? Now people come up to me to ask me for guidance. I m proud to say that I have motivated 6 of my friends and relatives to take up exercising.
Image source: Habiba Kudrati
