With the introduction of new supplements, weight loss methods, and secret diets to the market daily, body transformation has become an overnight thing. Surprisingly, the widely acclaimed Keto diet, touted as the ultimate weight loss solution, remained virtually unheard between 2015-2018. The keto diet gained popularity in India in 2019 when the then-Indian cricket men's team captain, Virat Kohli said that he would no longer consume milk products and would go vegan.
Without a doubt, transforming during a time when there were few YouTube handles dedicated to fitness and body positivity was a huge achievement. I saw this as an opportunity to shine and began my transformation based on experimentation, and lost more than 40 kg in just six months.
In this article, I, Ishaan Arora will take you on my weight loss journey from 114 kg to 70 kg, where you will find my experiences of childhood and how they motivated me to take on the weight loss challenge.
Developed Gallstone At The Age Of 15
It all started in the last few months of 2015 when I used to wake up in the middle of the night with stomach pain. The same thing happened for a few nights in a row, and on the third day, my parents took me to the doctor, and I recall it being 5:00 a.m. The doctor advised going for an ultrasound scan, and what came up in the report blew everyone's mind. My gallbladder was filled with multiple gallstones, and the doctor advised me to drop some weight and live a healthier lifestyle.
How It All Began
Remember, I'm telling you about an incident when body positivity was non-existent on social media. Growing up as a fat kid in India is difficult. From coaching centre to the mall, you can easily encounter a group of people making fun of you. You become everyone's favourite "golu bacha", but you know it's for the worst. My parents used to save me from all this embarrassment for years, but after hearing about the gallstones, they stopped supporting me and gave me strict instructions to shed all the additional fat. They even surprised me with a three-month gym membership.
Also Read: Fat to Fit: 100 Days Of Dieting And Rishabh Gupta Went From 120 Kg To 75 Kg
Ye Golu Gym Karega!
So, if you've ever been to the gym, you're probably aware of the custom of first checking your weight and then hitting the machines. When I stepped on the scale, I was surprised that I weighed roughly 114 kg. As soon as I entered the machine area, the people working out made fun of me, saying, "Dekho ye golu gym karega," and those words stuck with me.
Six Months Of Experimentation
Back in the day, if you want to be a trainer all you needed was a good build. Unlike today, hardly one used to appreciate certifications. When I asked my trainer, all he said was to quit eating sugar and fried food, which benefited me at first but then stopped working. I started experimenting with foods and eating at different times. As I decoded it, I discovered I was on a low-carb (keto) diet.
Secret Diet
My day would begin at eight o'clock in the morning, and the first thing I would do is detox my body by drinking lemon water. Breakfast would consist of egg whites omelette and veggies, followed by veggies and curd for lunch. My evening snack was green tea and an apple, and dinner was chicken with veggies. I discovered this diet during the third month of my gymming and followed it for 100 days.
Life Changing Workout
I was desperate to lose weight, and working out was the highlight of my day. I used to mentally prepare for the following day by reminding myself that I needed to do one more rep than the day before. I used to work out at the gym twice a day. I spent an hour in the morning doing 20 minutes on the treadmill, followed by 20 minutes on a cross trainer, and 20 minutes on a stationary bike. Then, in the evening, I would do muscle work, focusing on repetitions rather than heavy lifting.
Lessons Learnt From Weight Loss
There are three important lessons that I learned from my weight loss journey.
1) Portion Control
Portion management is not discussed in any weight loss books, but I feel it is the key to transformation and should be practised whether or not one wishes to lose weight.
2) Body Checkup Every Six Months
Make it a habit to undergo a body check every six months to get a clear picture of what's going on inside the body. If something goes wrong, it is simple to rectify and will not cause problems.
Also Read: The Keto Journey: What To Expect After A Month Of Following Ketogenic Diet
3) Daily Workout
Working exercise is one of the best methods to burn calories and maintain a healthy weight.
[Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided by a registered medical practitioner. However, we recommend you consult your healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and treatment.]