Busy Dad Hari Dropped 15kgs And Got A New Lease On Life At 40 Years Young

During a holiday in Cornwall, Hari realised just how out of shape he was when a short walk up a cliff left him feeling tired and out of breath.

Alarmed at the dismal state of his health, he decided to take positive steps to improve the quality of his life.

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

I had been following RNT for a few years but never did anything because I thought there was no way I could follow the programme.

I was sure that I would never get such amazing results because of my genetics. I thought my Asian roots meant I was doomed to always have a pot belly.

The push to sign up occurred around August 2022: roughly a year or so post COVID. The kids were on summer holidays and it was our first holiday after the pandemic.

We were in Cornwall and we had just checked into the hotel for a week’s stay. The wife and kids went in first and I followed behind with the bags. I had parked the car a short distance from the main entrance and the short walk to the hotel made me feel so tired! I put it down to the long drive and didn’t think about it again.

Our hotel was on the cliff and walking up the hill at the end of a long day at the beach was hard!

As the week went on I had to stop and rest more and more frequently. And that’s when I thought to myself that I couldn’t go on like this anymore. I spoke to my wife and said I can’t be feeling like this when we are on holiday and I shouldn’t be getting tired like this.

That’s when I said, enough is enough. I need to get in shape and as I was turning 40 the following year. I wanted to change my habits and enjoy my holidays with the family.

2. What were your biggest problems before starting RNT?

My biggest problems were diet, my lack of exercise and my limited understanding of the whole process.

I had no structure in terms of diet and exercise. Although I went to the gym 3-4 times a week, I had no plan and no results to show for it.

My limited understanding of nutrition was a major hurdle as well.

I would have a bowl of oats in the morning, which I didn’t bother to measure. Lunch was a quorn burger and veggies; dinner was usually a big meal followed by dessert.

My busy social life didn’t make things any easier. I was out at least 2-3 nights a week with friends and I would drink about 6-7 pints of beer in one evening.

In a desperate attempt at getting in shape I was constantly plan-hopping. I worked with personal trainers but after a few months I dropped them when I never saw any changes.

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

I’ve been working with RNT for almost a year now and the whole process has been amazing.

They worked around my lifestyle, took into consideration my dietary requirements and were always available whenever I had questions, or needed a motivational boost.

Through my RNT journey I have learned the importance of nutrition.

I started off initially with a set meal plan and then learned to plan my own meals by following a macronutrient target strategy. I finally understood what constituted nutritional clean foods and how to portion them accurately.

Through this journey I have learnt when to politely refuse certain foods when I was out with friends and family and make better choices.

I still remember how unsure I felt when I got my first meal plan! I am Asian and vegetarian and didn’t understand how I could follow a plan without rice and rotis.

Also, the idea of hitting 10,000 steps a day plus training with such a busy work schedule at first seemed so daunting.

But the RNT team was so encouraging and helped me set small and achievable targets.

I wanted to enjoy the journey and the process and give it my all while still making sure it did not affect my family life.

I soon got into the swing of things and the set plan made things so much easier. There was no more decision fatigue and I knew exactly what to eat and how much. All I had to do was execute the plan and see the scale numbers and waistline drop.

4. How has the physical been the vehicle?

Through my RNT journey I have learnt so much but I know that there is still so much I do not know.

RNT’s mantra of keeping things simple and to not overthink has been a game changer.

Aside from the physical results, the real results have to be the change in mindset.

As a result of the programme I have much more confidence and energy when I’m out with the family and I can fit so much into my day which I never ever thought would be possible.

5. What almost kept you from joining?

I didn’t think I could ever get such great results. I thought my Asian genes would keep me from getting into great shape and that was just the way it was meant to be! I can’t believe how wrong I was!