Once Called 'A Lazy Kid', Now Mentors 1.3 Million People About Fitness: Payal's Journey of Becoming A Mom Fitness Icon

Once a lazy kid, a complex pregnancy became the turning point that inspired Payal Agarwal Mukherjee, the founder of FitMoms to rebuild her strength and confidence. Finding no India-specific postpartum fitness programs, she decided to master Yoga, strength training, and Diastasis Recti healing, transforming her own body and mind while balancing a demanding corporate career and motherhood. This journey gave birth to FitMoms, a holistic, affordable platform created by a mom, for moms. With over 1.3 million Instagram followers and 12,000+ women positively impacted, FitMoms is reshaping India’s postpartum health culture. 

In an exclusive interaction with Onlymyhealth, Payal also busts myths around ‘mummy tummy’, proving that with gentle and consistent care, new mothers can heal and thrive without sacrificing family or career. Her story is a reminder that a mother’s fitness is not a luxury; it’s the foundation of a stronger, happier family.

Sharing her story behind taking up fitness, Payal says, “I was once the quintessential ‘lazy kid, ’ and a complex pregnancy at age 32 left me both physically depleted and mentally low. Not finding any mother-specific fitness programs in India, I took matters into my own hands, self-studying Yoga, strength training, Diastasis Recti healing, and postpartum mental wellness. The results were transformative. I regained my physical strength without compromising time either with my corporate career or my daughter after an MBA from a top Indian business school. That's when I realised the power of mom-focused and accessible fitness, and FitMoms was born.”

 

 

 

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A post shared by Payal🔹Fit Mom (@payalagarwalmukherjee)

The Motivation Behind Starting FitMoms

More than half of Indian mothers can’t afford or access the Western-designed postpartum fitness options. 

Payal wanted to change that. 

“FitMoms was created to provide holistic, personalised, and affordable programs, designed by a mom, for moms to help them regain confidence, health, and joy,” shares Payal Agarwal Mukherjee.

Also Read: Postpartum Fitness: When And How Can New Mommies Safely Start Exercising Again

Diet and Fitness Plan To Shed Postpartum Weight Gain

FitMoms programs combine core healing, strength training, dance, yoga, Pilates, and mental wellness, including guided Yoga Nidra, all through follow-along videos and one-week sample diet plans. These are designed to be balanced, realistic, and sustainable, helping moms heal their core, shed post-baby weight, and nurture mental well-being.

One of the major roadblocks in any fitness journey is the myths related to the niche. For mom fitness, some myths prevent many women from taking the plunge and shatter their confidence. According to Payal, the three common myths around mom fitness that need to be busted are:

 

 

 

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A post shared by Payal🔹Fit Mom (@payalagarwalmukherjee)

Myth- Crunches will fix your ‘mummy tummy’
Truth- Real healing starts from the deep core and Diastasis Recti repair, not superficial crunches.

Myth- Post-pregnancy issues like hanging tummy, back pain, urine incontinence, or pelvic floor tightness are permanent.
Truth - These are not lifelong conditions. With the right gentle core and pelvic floor healing exercises, they can be improved and even completely reversed.

Myth- Being fit means sacrificing time with your baby or work. 
Truth - My own journey proved otherwise; I transformed health with minimal disruption to family or career, and FitMoms empowers other women to do the same.

Also Read: Can Women Get PCOS After Having Kids?

The Need For A Fitness Culture For Indian Moms

With little time or resources for their own health, Indian moms often shoulder immense pressure, raising families while juggling careers. Cultivating a fitness culture for moms is essential and not optional.

“FitMoms builds a holistic, affordable, home-based community which nurtures shared support, physical healing, and mental resilience, transforming family well-being one strong mom at a time. With over 1.3 million Instagram followers and 12,000+ mothers impacted, the need and appetite for this movement are clear,” shares Payal.

Payal’s Five Fitness Tips For Working Mothers

 

 

 

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A post shared by Payal🔹Fit Mom (@payalagarwalmukherjee)

• Repairing the deep core (especially after childbirth) lays the foundation for safe, effective fitness.
• Sharing progress and motivation with other moms keeps you energised and committed, even on tough days.
• Even 20–30 minutes of flexibility, strength, or dance can create powerful momentum.
• Balanced meals with modest structure (like sample one-week plans) work better than deprivation.
• Practices like guided Yoga Nidra support mental balance during a busy schedule.

Payal’s journey is an inspiration for women who are skeptical about taking the first step towards fitness. Her journey is proof that you can start anytime and achieve your goals with hard work and determination.