Weight loss story: This nutritionist eats poached eggs with one slice of whole wheat bread for dinner

New mom Prakriti Raj Vatsh gained a lot of weight post pregnancy due to postnatal depression, which forced her into a vicious cycle of overeating. Things took a turn for the worse when her weight gain made her lose out on clients as a nutritionist. Realizing it was time to implement what she tells her clients, Prakriti used her expertise and followed a well-balanced diet and exercise plan. Her dedication and approach to weight loss will surely inspire you!

Name: Prakriti Raj Vatsh

Occupation: Certified Nutritionist and Dietician

Age: 28

Height: 5 feet 4 inches

City: Noida

Highest weight recorded: 82 kilos

Weight lost: 33 kilos

Duration it took me to lose weight: 12 months

I got married in 2016 and was soon blessed with a boy next year. Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal, but I happened to put on extra weight even after pregnancy, majorly due to postpartum depression, which affects Indian women very commonly.

Initially, I took it easy and thought the weight would go down. But, with no changes coming through, my obsession grew and my eating pattern further worsened. Because of stress and depression, I ended up having a lot of junk and put on weight. That started to affect my work too.

Because of my weight, I lost three clients in a single month. I thought people would understand since I was a new mother but it was not so. It was time to practice what I preach! That's the way I made real changes!

My breakfast: I start my day with a glass of protein shake, oatmeal (milk+nuts+berries)

My lunch: Around 1:30 P.M., I have my lunch which is stir-fried chicken (250 grams) made in one tablespoon olive oil, green salad (300 grams) and yoghurt (125 grams).

At around 4 PM, I have tea (with sugar substitute) and one rusk or 30 grams peanuts.

My dinner:

I have my dinner at around 8:30 PM, which is usually two-three poached egg and one slice of whole-wheat brown bread.

Pre-workout meal:

In the morning after waking up, I have 5 overnight soaked almonds and a cup of hot black coffee before my workout. Post that I hit the gym for 60-90 mins.

Post-workout meal:

Post my workout I have a protein shake and eat oats in milk with nuts and berries (which is my breakfast)

I indulge in (What you eat on your cheat days):

Dark chocolate and stir-fried nuts

Low-calorie recipes I swear by:

Roasted chicken breast with broccoli and quinoa salad

A lot of people make the mistake of spending a lot of time doing extensive cardio for fat loss, which leads to muscle loss. Although you will see a difference in kilos, you will also lose out on strength, which is crucial. So, always include some kind of strength training- even if low-intensity to start with in a weight loss plan.

How do I stay motivated?

I keep reading motivational posts on the internet and follow health and fitness celebrities on Instagram.

How do you ensure you don’t lose focus?

I make sure to divide my goals into smaller ones and focus on achieving linear, short-term goals first.

Every new parent wants to play with their child. Because of my weight and stress, I used to experience a lot of fatigue, back pain, which did not let me freely play with my child.

What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line?

I want to be just as fit as I am today. In fact, even a better version of what I am right now.

So I started to divide my meals into 4-5 smaller ones and had controlled portions. As for the exercise, I made the start with some moderate-intensity workouts which I made sure to do on a regular basis. I totally avoided having any sort of junk food and mood-based eating. My cheat days were only once in 15 days… It is all about making the start and showing up!

I had put on so much weight, I looked 10 years older than I actually was. I did not have enough energy to run around or take care of my newborn. Somedays, I couldn’t even spend time with my husband or play with my kiddo because I used to be so tired.

It is easy to find hundreds of diet plans on the internet. But there's no scientific proof that those diets will prove the best results, or work on you. Same is with workout plans too. So, it's important to not lose hope and keep continuing. Just understand the context of your diet/workout, realize your own needs and work accordingly.

Also, what I would recommend people is to always consult a qualified dietician/nutritionist, discuss your needs and design a plan accordingly which suits your needs. More importantly, focus on good nutrition as a lifestyle change and not just a trial program.

The most important thing in your weight loss journey is consistency. Stick to your diet and stick to your workout plan. The results will surely follow!

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.