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Project self-transformation

June 12, 2018

The mirror showed it all. There was no way I could hide it. I wished someone sucked my eyes out of their sockets or, more kindly, sucked the bulging layers of fat out of my body. Cribbing about it anymore was old news and useless though. Wallowing in self-pity seemed comforting yet motivated by an inner force I chose to go for some serious self-transformation this time round.

Result: I lost 11 kgs in 6 months, all by myself. I crossed my reasonably set goal and am still going on!

This post isn’t about which protein shakes to take or the right way to do squats. I’m not certified to offer any such advice. The biggest fitness challenge is loss of motivation due to unmet or under-realised goals. I’m hoping that sharing my story and experience here will help you gain a positive perspective.

Commit to yourself first

Mesmerised by fancy sounding words like body sculpting, power yoga, weight training, etc. I joined a gym soon after Angel was born to make my repulsively shapeless bag of a body look visibly bearable. Amidst endless self-deprecating guffaws with similar babes-in-making, I felt happy and accepted. Health-wise though, sadly, I didn’t progress much.

While the playful banter during workouts made it all fun, it hindered me from realising my full potential. I lacked motivation and hardly lost weight. My focus and commitment were fierce only when I set my own goals and worked towards them myself. I realised, don’t let others decide things for you. Take charge of your own life.

Cheat only when YOU want to

People bombard me with “Its raining, won’t you have a pakoda?”, “One pastry is sure not fattening?” or “How can you starve like this?” and similar such concerned (read sarcastic) questions almost everyday. After seeing my straight-faced and determined NO multiple times many have given up, some persist. Should I indulge for their sake? Ofcourse not.

Your hard work is more important than someone else’s wish to see you eating. If your refusal offends them, make them understand. Don’t mind it. Go ahead and cheat if you like but only when you want to. Like picking your own battles, it is wise to pick your own calories too. 🙂

Take professional/online guidance

Dieting is crucial, tricky and a misunderstood concept. Most of us relate it with eating nothing or very little. That’s not correct. Dieting means eating right. It means avoiding empty calories and choosing the ones that are beneficial for us. Take help of a nutritionist or search online for health apps and healthy recipes.

Also, exercise has no alternative. Set aside thirty minutes everyday and pick up any physical activity. Join a gym if possible. If not, there are many apps you can workout with. Choose anything that works for you and stick to it.

Reached your goal, now what?

Maintaining weight is more difficult than losing it, as you probably know. After being deprived of that awesome-smelling sugar-and-oil-laced yummy food for months it is natural to crave for it. Giving up on it or eating it and burning out those calories is a choice you need to make.

Remember, a healthy life calls for some major lifestyle changes. They may not be easy but that’s where discipline comes in. Replace unhealthy ingredients with wholesome ones, use natural sweeteners instead of sugar and try to consume only good fat. That doesn’t sound so hard, does it? 🙂

Promises are like lines; whether they’re drawn in water or on stone makes them an excuse or a purpose. It took me ten years to come close to my ideal weight but I got here now, and so can you. Start today!

This post is published for #OpenNTalk Blogger’s League hosted by Gleefulblogger & Wigglingpen in association with SummerBarn, Vedantika Herbals, Nyassa, Explore Kids World.

Thanking Sayeri for introducing me on her blog, I’d like to introduce the next #BloggerBabes team member, Nehal. She is an IT engineer by profession, good at heart and mom of a 5 yrs old cutie pie. Knowing, inventing and advising home remedies and easy ones to all is her way to love people around her.

67 thoughts on “Project self-transformation”

  2. That’s a wow post… It helped me thinking about myself now.. M lil bit lazy or you can call… Busy with other things… So not able to concentrate on myself. But this article is so much helpful. I will stay motivated and lose my extras… Thanks a lot for posting.

  4. Awesomeeeeee… wowow i wish i wishhhhh i have such commitment i have tried and tried and tried all day to be good but then in evening someone rings or bangs on the door lets go to the pub.. and all the days hard work goes to waste.. seriously i need to loose a ton..

    Well done and you are a motivation indeed … keep it up mam…you need to send me notes how and what to do.. ?

    1. I can only suggest one thing, take off the bell on your door! LOL.
      Commitment matters the most. I hope someday you feel the need to put in that extra effort, Bikram. Thank you so much for your encouraging words.
      How’ve you been my friend?

  5. This is such a motivating one Varsh. What I loved most is you dont talk about exercise or diet, but the thing that matters the most. Self motivation to do it. #BloggerBabes

    1. I wanted to share my personal experience, Akshata. There’s lot of fitness advice everywhere but the things we actually struggle with aren’t discussed. Glad you liked it. 🙂

  6. Losing so much in six months is really awesome. Good going. Keep it up and the most important one is to stick to the diet and this routine forever. There lies the Challe ge isn’t it?#NISSATalks

  7. I can relate to this much better than all the stories which we see on the internet for transformation, because I have been in similar situation and lack motivation too. But this is inspiring and would do it at the right time.

    1. Thanks for this lovely comment. Take good care of yourself, Manisha. When the time comes you’ll feel the motivation. If not, we’re always there for you! 🙂

  8. This is an inspiring post Varsha, I am following the tips you have shared here. Self transformation should always begin with head first and never from body appearances. But then whatever said and done, appearance matters too.

    1. Appearance matters, whether we accept it or not. That was biggest motivation, honestly. We want to look good and feel good always but sometimes we need more than temporary fixtures.

  11. Take a bow Varsh! 11kgs in 6 months speaks volumes of your determination. Keep it up dear! And keep us motivated too with your inspiring posts. You sure have given me goals!
    #OpenNTalk #CrossBorderSisters

  12. I always say that weight loss is a combination if exercise and diet. You cannot do it just with one. I do not recommend dieting and skipping if meals and you are doing a right thing. Keep going Varsh. It’s inspiring.
    #Bloggingdivas #OpenNtalk

  15. Wow! This is no mean feat—requires a lot of dedication and perseverance. Kudos to you for that.

    A positive body image definitely helps in improving self confidence. But It is what we are on the inside that really matters.

    Stay beautiful inside out! ?

    #OpenNTalk #CrossBorderSisters

    1. That’s so true, Priyanka. Staying inside out matters. Let’s just say its like having a yummy red velvet pastry packed in an equally beautiful way for its admirers. Sometimes we need more than positivity to keep us going. That was my biggest motivation. 🙂
      #BloggerBabes

  17. Very inspiring and motivational post Varsha. Kudos and congratulations for your success. I love working out and i do it all by myself at home only. So can relate. Thanks for sharing your story.

    – Anami from #InvincibleGang for #OpenNTalk #Week2

  18. Wow Varsha, 11kgs in this much time was an amazing transformation and I can see the confidence boost you got. Cheat yourself only when you really want to..what a great advice you gave.

  19. Looks like my story. I lost 3 kgs in 3 months with only diet control and of course with my self determination. I opted healthy, skipped bakery food and even had sufficient sugar that my body needs. Still I was able to lose and my journey is still going. Now I happily wear size L which was XL before and at times, L also looks bigger now. #BlogAMile #OpenNTalk

  20. I’m on the phrase of loosing body weight. You are so motivating Varsha. I will remember this inspiring words when I miss the track.

    1. I didn’t want to preach like most people do and I’m glad you noticed, Arvind. 🙂
      Tips and tricks are everywhere, its only the motivation to get them done that’s the real challenge. I hope these are useful.
      #BloggerBabes

  27. 11kgs in 6 months! OMG. Its a motivational read for me. Reason, first I maintained a healthy diet and reduced 2kgs, then again I have started eating junk foods! Now I have to hold my tongue tightly 🙂
    I have started doing yoga too. #OpeNTalk #BloggerBabes

    1. It happens with all of us, Sayeri. We work hard and then at some point lose the will to carry on. Thankfully, I’m still at it now and hope to remain here. Please get back to being fit and healthy. Nothing like it! I do yoga too. #BloggerBabes

    1. You’re too kind, Mayura. Thank you so much! These tips are learnt over time and have worked for me. Hope they can help someone who may need them.
      #BloggerBabes

  34. This is such a wonderful post, I loved your transformation it speaks volume. I believe in taking professional guidance, they are highly beneficial. Exercise is not a choice but a necessity. your post is inspiring.

  41. Thanks for showing me the way to get such a lovely transformation actually I will go and refer a dietitian for the same.

  44. Hey its really great becauze we should love our own body and soul so that we can take proper care of it. I also have to reduce some fat punds and I have already started planning for this.

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