Weight loss story: "At 25, my BMI levels showed my body age as 60!"

While we all like indulging in our cravings and eating junk food, we don't realize the damage it does to our bodies until later. 25-year-old Lipsa, an auditor by profession went through the same ordeal. An unhealthy relationship with food made her overweight. Determined to look her age, she fought off the flab and lost 16 kilos! To know how she did it, read the entire story below:Name: Lipsa Priyadarsini ChaudhuryOccupation: AuditorAge: 25 yearsHighest weight recorded: 76 kilos

Weight lost: 16 kilosDuration it took me to lose weight: 5 months

The turning point: While I was never really bothered about how much I weighed, I was always conscious about my looks and what I ate put me at fault. I used to eat everything without realising the number of calories in them. I just ate what I felt like eating and ended up paying a high price for this habit. I used to munch on something every other hour and it was usually something fried or junk. My midnight cravings, the biggest culprit a nd the sedentary lifestyle made it all worse!

At 76 kilos, I felt so lazy and there was zero excitement in life, so much so, there were days I couldn't drag myself to work! My self-confidence was hit really bad. Getting ready in front of the mirror was hard. Whenever I used to stand amongst my peers, I used to feel like I was the oldest one in the group. This was the time I decided to take the matter into my own hands. As the saying goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step", the same happened with me. With sheer determination and will, I was able to drop down 16 kilos.

My breakfast: 2 egg whites and oats/muesli.

My lunch: 2 Chapati with a cup of daal, chaas (buttermilk) and salads.

My dinner: For dinner, it is usually something like grilled chicken/ sauteed paneer with a bowl of slightly tempered daal. I also upped my water intake and keep myself hydrated by drinking around 4 litres of water every day.

Pre-workout meal: Coconut water/ Black coffeePost-workout meal: Fruit (like an apple or banana) or a handful of nuts and seeds.

My workout: My workout is largely centered on doing aerobic exercises. I do Zumba six times a week, at home. I also supplement it with some essential cardio moves. This has helped shed the flab faster.

Fitness secrets I unveiled: More than the exercise, it's the diet you follow that matters. I made a lot of conscious changes in my diet. Timely food intake, mindful calorie count and following a strict disciplined diet helped me get the shape I always desired to have.How do I stay motivated: The one thing I have realized is that weight loss is a slow, gradual process and you have to be consistent with your goals. Plus, it is also important that you have to take note and realize every step of progress you make. I consider that a reward in itself, noticing every positive, helpful development.How do you ensure you don't lose focus: I have invested in a weighing scale, whic h I keep at home. This helps me stay watchful and track my journey accordingly.

Other than that, I won't deny that the transformation in itself feels tremendous and works wonders. Yes, you have to make conscious choices and eat the right kind of foods (which aren't always what your taste buds demand), but when you start seeing the progress, you will never want to go back to the old lifestyle. Plus, seeing the fitness models on the internet always picks me up on the low days.

What's the most difficult part of being overweight: When I was overweight, I experienced a crash in my motivation and self-esteem. I was less enthusiastic about life and suffered from low confidence. This made me really unhappy.

What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line: I want to be able to sustain the shape I am in right now, work on my body and if I manage to be an inspiration to others, I will be really happy and feel that I have taken steps in the right direction.

What are the lifestyle changes you made: I made big changes to my diet. My choice of food changed, water intake went up and I now make sure that I have ample protein and fiber-two essentials in a weight loss plan in my everyday meals. Plus, regular exercise, which wasn't there before is now something I religiously follow. What was the lowest point for you: The side effects of obesity, at such a young age, were hard to deal with. One day, while checking my BMI levels (Body Mass Index), the results showed my body age as 60, whereas I am just 25. This pushed me to make a big change. Lessons learnt from weight loss: Like for many, it was difficult initially to push me to adopt a healthier lifestyle and lose weight. However, it was all worth it. I totally believe that determination is at the forefront of a good workout mission and afterward, the results in themselves will be enough to push you the next level and make you feel happy! If you have a weight loss journey to share, send it to us at toi.health1@gmail.com

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