The path to fitness is often fraught with challenges, especially when battling societal judgements and personal insecurities. Aanchal Chugh, a fitness expert and nutritionist from Delhi, has not only overcome these hurdles but has also turned her weight loss journey into a source of inspiration for many. Her transformation, driven primarily by Intermittent Fasting (IF), was driven by years of bullying and fat-shaming she endured since school. This journey saw her weight drop from 75 kilos to 54 kilos.
In an exclusive interview with Onlymyhealth, Aanchal shared an in-depth account of her weight loss journey, discussing how she overcame bullying, what ignited her determination to shed weight, the strategies that worked best for her, and why she believes the combination of gym workouts and IF is the ultimate formula for effective weight loss.
Overcoming Bullying And Building Resilience
Aanchal’s struggles with weight began during her school years, where she faced relentless bullying. “One of my classmates told me not to run because it would make me and my body look even more fat and ugly,” she revealed. Such hurtful comments deeply affected her, leaving her in tears and feeling helpless.
In college, the bullying persisted. A particularly cruel remark came from a boy who mocked her outside a narrow gate, suggesting she wouldn’t fit through it. While these moments initially crushed her self-esteem, they also planted the seeds for change. “At first, it crushed me,” Aanchal admitted. “But then I thought, why should I let their words define who I am? That’s when I decided to take control of my life.”
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Aanchal Chugh Fitness Journey
Determined to reclaim her confidence, Aanchal took her first step toward transformation by joining a gym. “I began working out regularly,” she shared. Initially, the progress was slow, but Aanchal’s commitment paid off over time. “Consistency is the key,” she emphasised.
Like many others, Aanchal faced moments of doubt. “There were days when I thought, ‘Is this even worth it?’ But I’d remind myself of why I started. Within three months, I understood very small effort counts, and simply showing up matters,” she recalled.
While the gym helped her build discipline and resilience, Aanchal soon realised that pairing her workouts with a structured eating plan would yield even better results. That’s when she discovered Intermittent Fasting (IF).
Role Of Intermittent Fasting In Aanchal Chugh's Weight Loss Journey
Intermittent fasting became the cornerstone of Aanchal’s weight loss success. Unlike conventional diets that focus on what you eat, IF emphasises when you eat. This eating pattern alternates between periods of fasting and eating, allowing the body to utilise stored energy more effectively.
“I needed something sustainable, which is why I went ahead with IF. The structure of this 16/8 diet just clicked with me,” Aanchal explained.
Here’s how she implemented intermittent fasting:
We asked Aanchal about her fasting and feeding windows. Here's what she shared about her way of 16/8 IF:
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Fasting Periods: During these times, meaning 16 hours of fasting period, she abstained from consuming calories, relying on water, black coffee, tea, and other non-caloric beverages. She shared that this helped her body utilise stored glycogen and fat for energy.
Feeding Windows: In her eating periods, Aanchal consumed her daily calories within a 6-8 hour window. "I followed the 16/8 fasting schedule, wherein I was fasting for 16 hours and eating during the remaining 8 hours," Nutritionist Aanchal shared.
For better understanding, we spoke to our expert Varsha Sharma, Senior Dietician, Sharda Hospital - Noida, and asked if one can lose weight from IF. “Yes, you can lose weight quickly through intermittent fasting. However, what worked for Aanchal doesn't necessarily mean that it may work for someone else too.” she shared.
“I lost over 20 kilograms following this plan. Although, skipping breakfast felt impossible at first. But I kept reminding myself of the bigger picture and the numbers. Soon, it became second nature.”
Bottomline
Aanchal Chugh’s story is a shoutout to the power of resilience, consistency, and self-belief. Her journey from being bullied for her weight to becoming a fitness expert proves that it’s never too late to take charge of your health and well-being. Whether through gym workouts, or intermittent fasting, Aanchal’s transformation highlights that small, consistent steps can lead to remarkable changes.
We asked her advice to anyone on a weight loss journey and she shared with a smile, “Believe in yourself, stay consistent, and don’t let anyone’s words define your worth. The power to change lies within you.”