Motherhood is a beautiful journey but postpartum is a very crucial phase for women. The body goes through several hormonal changes and it takes a while to adjust to things. Feeling depressed, a lack of motivation to exercise, emotional eating, and weight gain are all parts of it.
Rakhi Meniya’s struggles were no different. Sharing her weight loss journey in detail with TOI, she said, “I had put on a lot of weight after my pregnancy and I wasn’t able to work out or monitor my diet soon after that. Hence, within a year, my clothing size went from S to XL and I found it quite tough to adapt to this change. My confidence had also begun to waver due to all the unsolicited pieces of advice (sic).” However, her husband stood by like a rock and gently nudged her to start working out and take care of herself. “That was the turning point in my life and I have never really looked back after that,” Rekha adds. Read on for all the inspiration you need.
Her diet:
Breakfast:
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Rakhi breakfast choice is simple and fuss-free on most days. It ranges from a bowl of oats to a portion of sprouts with a strawberry or banana smoothie.
Lunch:
Her lunch is high on greens with just the right amount of calories, carbs, and protein – 1 chapati, 1 bowl of vegetable curry, or a portion of sprouts with buttermilk. Occasionally, she eats a bowl of brown rice with dal as well.
Dinner:
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Rakhi makes sure she eats her dinner by 7 PM which mainly comprises boiled vegetables like broccoli, carrot, cucumber, etc. Sometimes, she alters her dinner menu with simple desi ghar ka khana like one chapati with a bowl of dal or vegetable curry.
Workout:
A fuss-free workout routine that ranges from a 3 KM run every morning without fail, and Tabata workout at home. “Tabata workout is an excellent choice for working out at home, given the current circumstances where we cannot hit the gym,” she adds.
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Pre-workout meal: A bowl full of fruits that include an apple, orange and kiwi.
Post-workout meal: A glass of almond milk with a handful of nuts.
Here’s how her husband motivated her
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Rakhi shares, “Undoubtedly, one of my biggest motivators has been my husband, who gave me new targets every week to ensure that I kept going. When I started seeing the results, I kept following the same schedule for my workout and dietary plan. Also, when I saw that I was able to fit into size S/M clothing again, it further motivated me to continue my journey.”
Here’s how she stayed focused and followed her regime rigorously
Following a strict schedule and making rapid lifestyle changes is easier said than done. If you’re not used to working out on a regular basis, the initial days will be challenging. Rekha explains, “However, after I maintained my routine for the first 15 days, I slowly became focused. Whenever I felt that I was straying from goals, I would watch my old photographs to motivate myself to keep going. It wasn’t easy, but it was certainly worth it.” In the next 10 years, Rekha desires to see herself as a healthy person, who loves to work out, no matter what.
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“Thankfully, I never reached a really low point during my weight loss journey but being overweight did hamper my self-confidence to a certain extent,” shares Rekha. However, being consistent with her workout routine has been the biggest, most effective lifestyle change that helped her achieve her desired weight. Furthermore, she also quit junk food, packaged products, and almost all sweets.
Lessons learned during weight loss:
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Talking about the lessons she learned during her two-month long weight loss journey, Rakhi advises, “I have learned that it certainly does not happen overnight. You need to be patient with your workout and watch what you are eating. So, ultimately patience is the key here. If you are honest with your efforts to lose weight, you will start seeing the difference.”
Disclaimer: Rekha’s journey is truly inspiring. However, since each body type is different, we strongly recommend you consult a nutritionist and a fitness expert who will suit you. And of course, keep your husband handy to help you push yourself harder and set new targets for you every day.
With inputs from TOI
Lead Image Credit: TOI
