Losing weight is never easy, especially when you are dealing with health issues such as PCOD or PCOS. It takes a lot of effort, consistency and motivation to shed those extra pounds. Excess weight often leads to bullying and derogatory comments, which shatters a person’s will to do anything. However, Ishita Jain took it as a challenge. After facing constant bullying and lack of motivation, in mid-2020, Ishita decided to take charge of her health. Starting off with little information she was eventually able to reach her goal by focusing on clean eating, regular home workouts and understanding the science behind her hormonal imbalance.

Within 6-7 months, she lost 23 kilos, cured her PCOD without any medication and regained her confidence. Here’s how she did it.

“My transformational journey has been a life-changing experience. It has completely changed my personality, and how I view myself, and the confidence I have gained is remarkable. In 2019-2020, I was diagnosed with PCOD/PCOS. My gynaecologist advised me to lose weight, but I struggled to get started and lacked the motivation to change my lifestyle. I also stopped taking the medications prescribed to cure my PCOD, which led to significant weight gain, increased body fat and eventually obesity. I craved sweet, processed and junk food, and was often harassed with harsh comments such as “buffalo”, “bull” and “elephant”. I was unable to wear clothes of my choice, and I often cried because of the loose, sagging skin,” she said.

However, in October 2020, she realised it was time to change her circumstances. She challenged herself and finally wore the clothes I wanted. “I made mistakes in the beginning, experimenting with diets like keto, low carbs and low fat, but eventually, I focused on eating clean, working out at home and trying to understand hormonal imbalances, obesity and their relationship with food,” she said.

“I always wanted to feel confident and wear the clothes I wanted to wear and lead a healthy lifestyle. Honestly, I wanted to prove people wrong who teased me and said that all I could do was eat. When I saw that I had lost 2 kg, it motivated me to go ahead and lose another 2 kg, and then more, until I reached my ideal body weight,” said Ishita.

“I started my journey with crash diets which made me crave more food, feel constipated and feel tired all day long. It was extremely difficult to lose weight due to hormonal imbalance and poor metabolism,” she revealed.

Once she started eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and having a balanced diet, Ishita did not feel like quitting. This was her biggest motivation.

Ishita follows a 1200 kilocalorie, high protein balanced diet at home, which includes intermittent fasting. Her workout routine includes exercising six days a week, including weightlifting 3-4 times a week and rest cardio, all done at home.

She said, “Being a vegetarian, I prioritised protein in every meal, drank 3-4 litres of water daily and exercised at home six times a week. I also practised intermittent fasting (16:8 window), which worked like magic in balancing my hormones, boosting my metabolism and losing weight. My diet now consists of 6-7 servings of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, proteins and carbohydrates. As a result, I have lost 23 kg, cured my PCOD without any medication or fancy diets and can finally wear my favourite clothes.”

“If I can do it, you can do it too. Follow the right guidance, eat clean, challenge your inner self, and remember: consistency is the key. Start with regular workouts, cut down on junk, fried, packaged and processed foods, include more fruits and vegetables, and drink lots of water,” she said.

How has your life changed since achieving your weight loss goal?

She said, “The confidence I have gained is invaluable. Others’ perceptions of me have also changed. I feel more comfortable and confident about my body, my self-esteem has increased and I have a positive body image. My physical fitness and stamina have improved, my digestion and metabolism have improved, and I have cured my PCOD.”

“I have experienced a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression, improved mood and mental clarity, and better coping mechanisms for stress. I am more active and involved in physical activities, have healthier eating habits, and have a better understanding of nutrition. I have also noticed increased energy levels and better sleep quality. The positive feedback and motivation from friends and family, as well as potential new opportunities in both personal and professional life, have been unimaginable,” he said.

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