For 31-year-old homemaker Payal Shinde, the decision to begin her fitness journey was born out of something deeper than just wanting to lose weight, she wanted to ‘feel different’. Weighing 81.7 kg at her highest, Payal often felt low on energy, disconnected from herself, and uncomfortable in her own body. Today, she proudly stands at 71.05 kg, having lost 10.65 kg in just 3.5 months. Payal now feels stronger, healthier, and more confident than ever.



The turning point

Payal’s transformation began when she realized she didn’t just want to change her appearance, she wanted to feel stronger, at peace, and full of life. “I wanted to feel confident in my own skin again,” she says. That inner motivation to take care of both her physical and mental health became the driving force behind her remarkable journey.



The process wasn’t easy, but every single day reminded her why she started, ‘to become the best version of herself’.



The diet that helped Payal


Payal adopted a simple, balanced diet that was easy to sustain. Her focus was on clean, homemade meals, completely cutting down sugar and oily food. Salads, low-sugar fruits, and soups became her go-to choices.

Breakfast: Smoothies and fruits, or sometimes light Indian options like poha or upma.

Lunch: A wholesome home-cooked meal with protein, bhakri, vegetables, and buttermilk.

Dinner: A light soup, salad, or one fruit low in sugar.

Pre-workout: Warm lemon water.

Post-workout: Her breakfast often doubled as her post-workout meal.

Her workout sessions



Payal went to daily workout sessions. She built the habit of walking daily, around 8–9 km every evening, plus a short walk after dinner. The one thing Payal swears by is consistency and control. She maintained her regular diet, daily workouts, and walks.



The hardest part of her journey


But the real challenge, she admits, was mental. For Payal, the toughest part of being overweight wasn’t just the physical discomfort, it was the emotional struggle. She had lost confidence in herself, and felt uneasy dressing up.



How Payal motivated herself


“Whenever I feel distracted, I remind myself how good it feels to stay true to my goals,” Payal shares. Her motivation comes from remembering why she started. She focuses on progress, not perfection, and celebrates every small win along the way.


On tough days, she looks back at how far she has come, reminding herself that consistency matters more than speed. Payal tracks her progress and sticks to her habits even when motivation dips.


“It’s not just about looking fit anymore, it’s about feeling alive.”


Looking ahead, Payal envisions herself in the best shape of her life, physically, mentally, and emotionally.


Payal’s journey has taught her that transformation takes time, patience, and consistency. True progress isn’t always visible on the scale, it’s reflected in how one feels, moves, and thinks. She has learned the importance of discipline, balance, and self-love. “Taking care of my body is not a punishment, it’s a form of self-respect,” she emphasizes.