Weight loss story: “I skipped my breakfast and dinner”

16 or 60, it’s always important to pay attention to your body and work on yourself. 62-year-old grandmom and management professional, Lekha Sishta knew that her chronic aches and pains were not just because of her age, but increasing weight. She followed a unique low-carb version of Intermittent Fasting during the lockdown, started getting physically active and got fitter. Today, she is not just an inspiration to so many, but also mentors many men and women.

As they say, age is just a number, read her motivational weight loss journey to gain some valuable insights for your own self:

Name: Lekha Sishta

Occupation: Global Talent Strategist and Business Advisor

Age: 62 yrs

Height: 5’5″

City: Secunderabad/Hyderabad

Highest weight recorded: 110 kilos

Weight lost:40 kgs

Duration it took me to lose weight: 21 months- 11 kgs since Jan 2019 till Feb 2020, but during pandemic itself lost the mammoth 29 kgs.

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I have been working on my journey since last year, but it was during the lockdown that the major changes happened.

In March 2020, during the nationwide lockdown, I had to send my househelp and staff to not come in and had to take over the household tasks myself, along with busy work. I realized how unfit my body is. I know, I had aged, but I also knew that my knee and joint pain were also because of being overweight. Frequent aches and pains were keeping me away from enjoying travel and fun time. It dawned on me that I should not be spending my future, dependent on my children.

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My breakfast: I do not have breakfast, since I follow a low carb+ Intermittent Fasting program+ OMAD (One meal a day). I just have a glass of warm lime juice (no honey or sweeteners.. just half a lime in a glass of warm water)

My lunch:

A daal dosa/ 2 idlis or a besan chilla with a bowl of dal (with methi, palak etc.), a bowl of stir-fried and cooked vegetables (avoiding potatoes), two types of salads (one green, one sauteed), a glass of thin buttermilk spiced with ginger, green chilli and a pinch of pink salt.

An hour later, I would have fruits like papaya, guava, apple or mousambi.

Twice a week, I also try to have a piece of chicken, fish or two eggs with my regular lunch.

My dinner: No dinner, since I follow OMAD.

I usually end my day by chewing 6-8 almonds, soaked and peeled.

Pre-workout meal: The glass of lime juice I have in the morning before my hour of speed walking and stretches.

Post-workout meal: Nothing immediately thereafter. Lunch – my one meal is at 1 pm.

I indulge in (What you eat on your cheat days): Maybe a roti or a tablespoon of brown rice.. or a sweet once a week, which is usually on Sundays

Low-calorie recipes I swear by: Daal dosa and daal idli, Cauliflower rice, Sauteed salads.

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One hour in the morning doing cardio or weights and stretches. I then follow it up with an hour of brisk walking in the evening..

Fitness secrets I unveiled: One needs to adapt to discipline. Weight loss is always all about your mind control. Once you do that, no food will ever tempt you. Remember, mind control>tongue tasting.

Intermittent Fasting is also a wonderful way to lose weight and regain health back. Autophagy (when the body self-cleans and removes toxins and fat) due to sustained Intermittent Diet also works.

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Oh! All the compliments I get from people around me and the wonderful clothes I can now wear (jeans, T-shirts), which I could never have thought of in the last 30 years.

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I mentor 60 other women and 5 men to lose weight just the way I did on three Whatsapp groups. This obviously means that I need to continue my fitness journey and never lose track so that I can be an example for others.

What’s the most difficult part of being overweight? Frequent aches and pains for sure. I was so afraid of being bed-ridden, and being unable to perform simple chores. Not to forget, the ‘not-so-kind’ comments you get from others.

What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line? I want to further slim down 5 more kilos in a year and then maintain it forever.

What are the lifestyle changes you made?

While I did start working out more often, the biggest differences came when I started paying attention to what I was eating:

-I avoided and stay away from all kinds of carbs.

-Researching every dish that comes before me, understanding how my body responds to different types of food and then carving out my diet plan.

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I started my weight loss journey and saw some minor results and then came the inevitable…when the needle on the weighing scale didn’t seem to budge beyond 20 kilos of weight loss. I just thought it wouldn’t move and I won’t be able to lose any more weight. But I stuck on and kept working.

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Life is to be lived, certainly… but don’t give in to bingeing and then temporary dieting fads. They only make you put on more weight and faster.. and then it all solidifies like concrete. Much better to prevent it in the first place. Also never miss toning up as you lose weight. And also never mind those who tell you “Oh but you lost your glow on your face.” Makeup and time will get that back. The weight off is more important not just for how you look, but how you feel, as well as your improved health and wellness.

If you have a weight loss story to share, send it to us at toi.health1@gmail.com

DISCLAIMER:

These views are not generic in nature. What worked for the writer may not work for you. So avoid following this article blindly. Find out what works for your body.

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