Weight Loss Story: This Woman Ditched Gluten And Dairy And Lost 20 Kgs In 6 Months

weight loss story: this woman ditched gluten and dairy and lost 20 kgs in 6 months

Weight loss story: Jasleen Kaur recalls being on some or the other diet always. A chubby girl, she tried many crash diets to lose weight, but to her disappointment she would regain the lost weight in no time, explaining her love-hate relationship with weight loss. She dealt with severe body image issues in her growing up years and had become accustomed to receiving unsolicited weight loss tips from people. “What always irritated me was how people felt entitled to comment on my weight. Many people didn’t realise that I was struggling to lose weight, but wasn’t able to,” she says. Despite many odds, Jasleen was able to lose 20 kgs in a span of 6 months.

Jasleen struggled with a slew of health issues

When your back is against the wall, you’re left with no other option except to muster all courage and fight back. Jasleen was confronted with a similar situation. With a host of health issues taking a toll on her mental health, her normal functioning also got hampered because of it. “I suffered from Hashimotos (an autoimmune disease), PCOS, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, fatty liver. You name the disease and chances were, I suffered from it,” she shares.

With no strength to get up in the morning and go to her job, she would often oversleep. “There comes a time when the realisation dawns on you that you can’t drag life with poor physical and mental health. I felt it in my heart to live life to the fullest and become a healthy version of myself and that’s when I embarked on my weight loss journey,” she says.

‘I ate to nourish my body and didn’t diet at all’

For someone who understood that health is the real wealth, Jasleen was clear that she wanted to eat well to nourish her body. She included a variety of vegetables, especially the ones that were available in purple, red and yellow colours. “I also introduced a healthy mix of complex carbohydrates such as quinoa, sweet potato and millets,” she says. Predominantly, she consumed a plant-based diet and to ensure her protein requirements were met, she included fish and tofu in her meals.

‘I avoided processed food, dairy and gluten’

Like many others who’re on their weight loss journey, Jasleen ditched processed and packaged food from her diet completely. Since she suffered from an autoimmune condition, she also avoided dairy and gluten from her diet.

On workout she followed during her weight loss journey

Keeping in mind her autoimmune condition, she preferred low-intensity workouts, “I did strength training and yoga to keep myself fit. Besides, I have been loving going on long walks; they work wonders for weight loss too,” she shares.

On motivation vs discipline

Jasleen says it’s difficult for a person to feel motivated every day and this is why following a discipline in life assumes importance. “I was very consistent when it came to following healthy habits and was always conscious of eating healthy and nutritious food,” she says.

On simple habits that proved to be game-changers in her weight loss journey

Jasleen says she made it a point to walk for 10 to 15 minutes after every meal. “It helps in keeping one active and more energetic,” she says. She also talks about how she has been waking up early before sunrise to kickstart her day on a positive note.

On advice to people who’re trying to lose weight

Jasleen says one should break down one’s goals and focus on achieving them. “I would set short-term weekly goals and I would always challenge myself to be a better version of myself than before,” she says. She also believes one should focus on the progress they’re making every single day rather than obsessing over perfection.

Low moments she faced during her weight loss journey

As awful as it may sound, there are people who feel jealous of the progress you’re making. “There were many days when I felt lonely and I felt that the attitude of people around me changed after seeing me get better at what I was doing. That was particularly distressing at first, but then you learn to live with it,” she remarks.

High point after she lost weight

Jasleen says it’s been four years since she has been a functional coach and nutritionist. “From struggling to lose weight to not helping people become healthy, life seems to have come full circle indeed,” she says.

Her complete meal plan she followed during her weight loss journey:

Before breakfast

1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Breakfast

Chilas/ millet upma / eggs

Lunch

Chapati, sabzi, dal or rice dal sabzi, a bowl of salad

Dinner

Tofu / eggs / fish / sprouts with vegetables and rice