I had been insecure about how my body looked and how I was steadily gaining weight. Over the past few years, I tried my best to lose weight by following difficult workouts that promised results, but eventually, I gave up. However, since August 2025, I took matters into my own hands and decided that no matter what happens, I was going to lose weight and undergo a complete transformation.

This is a guide that is realistic because:

• I weighed 68kg in July, but by October I was at 62kg.
• I feel lighter, and I have helped my gut, which has reduced bloating for me.
• I have a stronger core.
• I have built my leg strength.

Here is what I did to lose weight and feel better than before:

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1. What You Eat

This is an important aspect that many people tend to overlook: what you choose to eat. I'm not advocating for any extreme diets, like a strict keto or all-protein plan. In fact, I eat the same meals every day and yet have successfully lost weight. The truth is, when it comes to shedding pounds, a staggering 80% of the battle lies in your eating habits.

I’m currently 17, but in my pre-teens, I started eating way more than I usually do. If I had a diet that included one slice of bread, I would eat four and even force myself to have more. I was really overweight. But instead of starving myself, I tried a different approach.

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I shifted from snacking to eating home-cooked meals and limited what I ate outside of the house. My home-cooked meals were healthier, with less oil, minimal salt, and sugar. I also started eating a salad before my main meal to help reduce my hunger and keep me from overeating.

Additionally, I restricted myself to just one sugary drink each day. Over time, I learned the importance of listening to my body, and I started to stop eating as soon as I felt full, rather than overindulging. This conscious shift has made all the difference in my journey toward better health.

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Try this tonic:

1. 1 cup of water
2. 1/2tsp of turmeric
3. 1/3 tsp black pepper
4. Juice of half a lemon
5. 1 tbsp fresh ginger juice

Heat water, turmeric, and black pepper together, then add the other ingredients. After one hour following dinner, drink this tonic. It helps regulate blood sugar, reduces tension in the body and organs, decreases inflammation, aids digestion, boosts immunity, and enhances metabolism. This tonic has worked wonders for me, and following this routine in general has helped me achieve a lighter body, improved my gut and liver health, contributed to better sleep cycles, and enhanced my overall health.

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2. Exercise

Food plays a role in weight management, but to lose calories effectively, it's essential to keep your body in constant movement. For this reason, I love my watch. I wear a smart watch, which has been incredibly helpful for tracking my activity. I set a target of walking at least 6 kilometers every day.

Over the past few months, my average distance on weekdays has been 5.8 kilometers. Keeping active significantly aids in burning off the calories we consume. I've previously mentioned how exercise has contributed to my steady weight loss.

I primarily do Pilates with Shirley Kim, which I really enjoy. Korean Pilates is particularly effective; I started with the beginner's routine, and it has worked wonders for me.

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I like Pilates because it's a low-impact workout, making it easier to follow. However, it's important not to choose an exercise just because it’s popular. As a dancer, I needed to build my core strength and flexibility. As I lose weight, I also want to tone my body, and Pilates has been perfect for this, especially since it's gentle during my menstrual cycle.

Sometimes, I do a high-intensity workout, but Pilates has been the most beneficial for me. As a busy student, I dedicate only 30 minutes to my Pilates sessions each day.

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I also recommend keeping one physical activity as a hobby, as it makes a huge difference in our lives. Constant movement keeps us healthy. Personally, I enjoy dancing and practice a classical dance called Bharatnatyam, attending sessions for two hours each week.

Additionally, I go for a 3km+ walk every Saturday and participate in other sports as well. This has improved my social life and helped keep my body active and healthy.

Tips to remember

1. Set your goals and then build a plan accordingly
2. Make sure not to overwork yourself
3. Don't do what people idolize, do what works best for you

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It's not about losing weight; it's about smart and healthy lifestyle choices.

I support body positivity and want you to feel confident in your body and overall health. The perfect body type is the one that you have, so embrace it! I made changes to my lifestyle because I was concerned about my health. Remember, your lifestyle makes a significant difference, so focus on what makes you happy rather than trying to prove something to others.

You slay in your own skin.