My Fitness Journey: How I lost 20 KG in 8 Months

My Fitness Journey

In this article, I will share My fitness Journey starting from 92 kg and 25%  body fat to 72 kg and 13% body fat. This staggering transformation took place over the course of 8 months. Yeah, 8 months. There are no shortcuts and you have to be patient and stay realistic.

Join me as I will tell you about the challenges I faced along the way and the mistakes I made that you shouldn’t.  Starting a  fitness journey as a college student can be exciting and pretty difficult at the same time. Not only does it promote physical health but it is also very good for mental and emotional well-being. Following are the key factors that I focused on during my fitness journey:

1- Setting Goals and Planning

 

Setting Goals and Planning

 

Before diving into any fitness journey, it’s important to set clear goals and devise a well-structured plan. As a college student, I aimed for realistic and achievable targets that fit my schedule and lifestyle.

By understanding my limitations and keeping in view my commitments, I was able to create a plan that was both challenging and sustainable. Setting smaller milestones along the way helped me stay motivated and focused on my progress.

Starting Point: My Initial Weight and Body Fat Percentage

When I decided to start my fitness journey, I weighed 92 kg with a body fat percentage of 25%. This starting point was an eye-opener for me because as a teenager weighing over 90 kg can be pretty horrifying.

2- Lifestyle Changes and Diet

 

Lifestyle change and Diet

 

When I embarked on my fitness journey, I understood the need for substantial alterations to both my lifestyle and eating habits. The first step I took was incorporating nourishing and wholesome foods into my daily diet while consciously steering clear of processed and calorie-laden options.

Establishing a well-balanced and sustainable meal plan served as the cornerstone of my expedition. By planning and preparing meals in advance, I managed to stay on track, even during a hectic college schedule. It’s important to note that a diet plan that is sustainable is the most important part of your journey.

3- Incorporating Exercise

 

Exercise

As a college student, I had a lot of work to do. I was also working part-time. Including exercise in my hectic routine was the most difficult part. I tested various forms of exercises, including cardio, strength training, and group classes. Finding activities I enjoyed not only made the workouts more enjoyable but also increased my consistency and motivation.

Including exercise in my daily routine became a habit that I looked forward to. If you want to lose weight no matter how busy you are you have to spare as less as 30 minutes for exercise. Sparing 30 minutes from 24 hours isn’t a big deal.

4- Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated

 

Throughout my fitness journey, I encountered countless challenges. There were days when I felt demotivated or faced setbacks. However, I learned to overcome these obstacles by finding sources of inspiration and maintaining a positive mindset. Surrounding myself with a supportive community of friends and fellow fitness freaks provided the encouragement and accountability I needed to stay on track.

Additionally, I reminded myself of the progress I had already made and visualized the future version of myself I aimed to be. Along your fitness journey, you will face many challenges and at one point you would want to give up. But going on at that point will make all the difference. Don’t give up, keep going.

5- Tracking Progress

Fitness Journey Tracking Progress

 

Tracking my progress was essential to my fitness journey. I regularly measured my weight, and body fat percentage, and took progress photos to see the changes in my physique. I tracked my workouts and kept a record. There are many free apps that you can use to keep track of your workouts. By recording your workouts you can focus on progressive overload to make sure you don’t lose that hard-earned muscle during the process. It also provides a sense of achievement to keep you motivated.

6- Support System and Accountability

Having a support system in place was a key factor for me. Whether it was a workout buddy, a mentor, or an online fitness community, having people who shared similar goals and experiences kept me going. We motivated each other, shared tips and advice, and celebrated each other’s little milestones. Sharing my journey on social media also helped me stay committed and inspired others to start their own fitness journeys.

You should always surround yourself with people that share similar interests as you do. If you hang out with people that often eat junk and go clubbing you are unlikely to see any results as you will eventually fall prey to similar habits.

7- Celebrating Milestones and Rewards

Celebrating milestones and rewarding myself along the way played a significant role in maintaining motivation and enthusiasm. Each time I reached a goal, I treated myself to something special like a new workout outfit, a spa day, or even a small cookie. These rewards acted as reminders of my progress and provided the necessary motivation to continue pushing forward.

8- Dealing with Plateaus

Like many fitness journeys, I experienced plateaus where my progress seemed to stall. These moments were very frustrating, but I learned to tackle them with patience. I switched up my workouts, tried new exercises, and challenged my body in different ways. Plateaus served as opportunities for me to review my routine, make adjustments, and ultimately break through to new levels of progress.

9- Mental and Emotional Well-being

A fitness journey isn’t just about physical transformations; it also has a significant impact on mental and emotional well-being. Including mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and yoga, helped me manage stress and stay grounded throughout the process. Taking care of my mental and emotional health became just as important as taking care of my physical health.

10- Maintaining Progress and a Healthy Lifestyle

Reaching my initial weight and body fat percentage was a major accomplishment, but it was equally important to maintain my progress and adopt a sustainable healthy lifestyle. I realized that my fitness journey was a lifelong commitment rather than a short-term goal. I focused on including healthy habits in my daily routine. This included staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and managing stress effectively.

I continued to prioritize regular exercise and made it a point to add physical activity into my day, whether it was taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going for a walk during study breaks. By making these lifestyle changes a permanent part of my routine, I ensured that my progress was supportable in the long run.

11- Reflection on My Fitness Journey

As I look back on my fitness journey, I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. It wasn’t just about the physical changes I experienced but also the personal growth and self-discovery that came along with it. I learned the power of hard work, discipline, and self-belief. The journey pushed me beyond my comfort zone and taught me that I’m capable of achieving more than I ever thought possible.

Conclusion:

Starting my Fitness Journey was the most difficult part. That’s what most people lack. Once you start your journey and adopt some basic lifestyle changes it all seems to become easy.

You just have to start, it doesn’t matter whether you achieve your target goal in time or not the thing that matters most is that you aren’t the same as you started. In the end, it all comes down to hard work and self-belief.

FAQs:

1- How many calories deficit have I maintained?

Most days I was in a 500-600 calorie deficit. I think You can maintain it long term.

2- What mistake should you avoid during weight loss?

You should not set an unrealistic target. There are many articles that guide you to lose 10 kg in a week, like seriously dude. It is not realistic. You should aim for weight loss of about 1-2 lbs ( 1 KG) a week.

3- How to stay motivated during a fitness journey?

Surround yourself with people that share similar interests. As they will help you push your limits and stay on track.

Do Check Out:  The LongHead Bicep: 6 Best Exercises to Grow Long Head of Bicep

Hello, fellow fitness enthusiasts! I'm Zayn, a Board Certified Fitness and Nutrition Coach. My journey started from a personal commitment to fitness, and over time, this passion ignited a desire to help others unlock their potential. I transformed this passion into my profession, and today, I'm proud to say that I am armed with a plethora of certifications, all testament to my dedication and commitment.

When I'm not advising clients or working on my next blog post, you'll find me trying out new fitness regimes, diving into the latest nutritional research, or practicing what I preach with my own healthy lifestyle. My mission is to help you become the best version of yourself, showing that fitness and nutrition are as much about the journey as they are about the destination.

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