Real Life Weight Loss Story: 22-Year-Old Woman Lost 50 Pounds and Reversed Her PCOS with a High Protein Diet, Intermittent Fasting, and Six Days of Exercise for One Week

Weight loss story: Losing weight is never easy, especially if you are dealing with health issues like PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome. Shedding those extra kilos takes a lot of effort, consistency, and motivation. Excess weight often leads to bullying and belittling comments that shatter a person’s will to do anything. However, Ishita Jain took it as a challenge. After facing incessant bullying and a lack of motivation, she decided to take charge of her health in mid-2020. Starting with little knowledge, she was finally able to achieve her goal by focusing on healthy eating, regular home workouts, and understanding the science behind her hormonal imbalances.

Within 6 to 7 months, she lost 50 pounds, reversed her PCOS without medication, and regained her confidence. Here’s how she did it.

“My transformative journey has been a life-changing experience. It has completely transformed my personality and the way I perceive myself, and the confidence I have gained is remarkable. In 2019-2020, I was diagnosed with PCOS. My gynecologist advised me to lose weight, but I struggled to get started and lacked motivation to change my lifestyle. I even stopped taking the medications prescribed to reverse my PCOS, which led to significant weight gain, increased body fat, and eventually obesity. I craved sugary, processed, and junk foods, and was often harassed with harsh comments like “Bhains” (buffalo), “Saand” (bull), and “Haathi” (elephant). I couldn’t fit into the clothes I wanted, and the loose, sagging skin often made me cry,” she said.

However, in October 2020, she realized it was time to turn the tables. She put herself to the test and finally got the clothes she wanted. “I made mistakes at first, experimenting with diets like keto, low-carb, and low-fat, but over time I focused on eating healthy, working out at home, and trying to understand hormonal imbalances, obesity, and their relationship to food,” she said.

What inspired you to embark on this weight loss journey?

“I always wanted to carry myself in confidence and wear the clothes I wanted, while also living a healthy lifestyle. I honestly wanted to prove those who bullied me and said that all I could do was eat wrong. When I saw that I had lost 2 kilos, I was inspired to keep going, lose another 2 kilos and then even more, until I reached my ideal body weight,” Ishita said.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced along the way?

“I started my journey with extreme diets, which only made me have more cravings, feel constipated and tired throughout the day. Due to hormonal imbalance and poor metabolism, losing weight was extremely difficult,” she explained.

How did you stay motivated during your weight loss journey?

Once she started following a healthy diet, regular exercises and balanced meals, Ishita had no desire to give up. That was her biggest motivation.

What diet and exercise regimen did you follow to lose weight during your transformation journey?

Ishita follows a simple, balanced, high protein diet of 1200 kcal with intermittent fasting. Her workout routine includes six days a week of exercise, with weight lifting 3-4 times a week and the rest being cardio exercises, all at home.

“As a vegetarian, I prioritized protein at every meal, drank 3-4 liters of water a day, and exercised at home six times a week. I also practiced intermittent fasting (16:8 window), which worked like magic to balance my hormones, boost my metabolism, and achieve weight loss. My diet now includes 6-7 servings of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, protein, and carbs. As a result, I lost 23kg, reversed my PCOS without any drugs or fancy diets, and can finally wear clothes I love,” she said.

What advice would you give to others who want to embark on a similar transformation journey?

“If I can do it, you can too. Follow the right guidelines, eat healthy, challenge your inner self and remember that consistency is the key. Start with regular exercise, reduce consumption of junk, fried, packaged and processed foods, include more fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water,” she said.

How has your life changed since you achieved your weight loss goals?

“The confidence I have gained is invaluable. The perception others have of me has also changed. I feel more comfortable and confident in my body, with higher self-esteem and a positive self-image. My fitness and endurance have improved, my digestion and metabolism have improved, and I have reversed my polycystic ovary syndrome,” she said.

“I have experienced a reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms, improved mood and mental clarity, and better coping mechanisms for stress. I am more active and participate more 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, along with potential new opportunities in both personal and professional life, have been unimaginable,” she said.