1. What were the series of moments that led to your “trigger” moment to begin your journey with RNT?

I have never liked putting in too much effort to dress up or go shopping for nice outfits (not that I knew much about fashion). But, whatever effort I did put in never really made much difference because of the shape I was in. Honestly, it was easy to just blame the camera!

I also felt terrible every time I was in a group photo with my family or posed for pictures with my husband. Everyone would look so young and fit while I was the only one always growing.

In a way, I have been lucky to always be surrounded by fit and healthy people. My parents, brother, my husband as well as my extended family live active, healthy lives and they always encouraged me to make healthier choices.

One day, at a wedding, my brother (who is 6 years older than me) commented on the fact that there was a 6 years difference between us, and implied that you couldn’t tell which one of us was older. That was the moment I realised I needed to do something.

So, when Shantul Sharma (a family member) shared his RNT transformation pictures I was so impressed. Reading how his kids calling him ‘Daddy Pig’ was his trigger to transform resonated with me so deeply that I thought RNT might be the solution I was looking for. It is also why I know these transformation stories are so important and I wanted to share my story too!

2. What were your biggest problems before starting RNT?

Before RNT, I had no understanding of what it meant to be healthy. My relationship with food was so bad. The many different schools of thought made me so confused and I thought I was destined to never be fit!

Over the decades I have lost and gained back the weight quite a few times, but now nothing was working!

I have tried it all: diet control (I’ve tried to eat just one meal a day). I have tried going to the gym, doing some cardio as well as yoga and nothing worked.

I had no roadmap of what to do, and no knowledge of how and why either! The trouble was, I have always been a chubby child and with pregnancies, extra weight just came rolling in and never left!

3. What has the process been like, and the biggest challenges and obstacles?

Before starting RNT, I spent months assessing the success rate of the programme. I was also worried that it wouldn’t work for me, nothing else worked so I thought the chances of this not working as well was high!

That’s when I decided that if I wanted to see results I had to go all in so I signed up.

I followed everything to the letter: water, sleep, food, I even gave up tea!

The interesting thing was it was easier than I anticipated. I thought it would be very hard. But when the scale started moving from the very first week, I was so motivated and ready to stick to the plan.

That’s when I gained more knowledge around the Importance of macros. I understood why the scale fluctuates and how water weight plays a role. I also understood how my body behaves over the month. I understood the importance of hydration and the importance of steps. In short, The Process Phase was enlightening.

The biggest challenge was in creating a new routine, I was so set in my ways. But, I knew my health was important and I needed to be fit to set a good example for my kids so I tried my very best.

Initially, eating out and travelling was tough. But help and advice from the coaches as well as from the wider RNT community made it easier. Watching the learning videos and reading the articles helped me understand the finer points of training and nutrition as well.

The coaches have been such a strong support, I couldn’t have done it without them!

Seeing the team practice what they preach, in terms of nutrition, training and everything else made me realise that we are all human and we all have to work at staying fit and healthy.

4. How has the physical been the vehicle?

The physical has been the vehicle by teaching me so many things.

Studying for my exams and scoring a high rank across India taught me how persistence, discipline and hard work pays off. I learnt the importance of education.

Similarly when I followed RNT and lost 30 kgs, I learnt how this machine (our human body) works best.

Also reading about Akash’s parents’ transformation motivated me to keep going!

The RNT programme has made me realise how my body is actually meant to be and I now know I can do it if I know my why and the why behind the why!

For me, losing 30kgs has been an amazing confidence booster.

Picking up weights makes me feel strong!

I have learned to enjoy exercise and I am working on improving my NEAT and creating my own unique lifestyle fitness solution.

5. What almost kept you from joining?

The cost of the programme made me hesitate at first. Also, I couldn’t imagine committing to a fitness programme for as long as 12 months!

But now, almost 2 years in, all I can say is thank you Akash for starting RNT! I really believe it should be a part of the school education curriculum, because I am now finally learning how to eat!

Now, I am looking forward to an amazing journey ahead and many many adventures to pursue. I wish RNT great success.

Thank you so much for all the support!