Viji's Transformational Weight Loss Journey In 3 Months

Hi everyone, this is Arvind again. So today I have one more, um, my coachee who was— her name is Vijee Shan. So who was with us for so long, and I wanted to share her own experience. She was with, um, she was with our team for almost like 3 months, and she did an amazing transformation. Some of the transformation breakthroughs what she had was she lost around 5 kgs of weight. But bigger than that, got the inch loss is around 25 centimeters overall inch loss she had around. And not only that, she overcomes, uh, she actually able to control some of your health challenges like diabetes and thyroid. So I wanted to hear from her own voice and we will have to understand her own journey and how did this whole journey has gone. So welcome, Vijji, for first of all, thank you for accepting for this video interview. I'm glad. And I'm looking forward to see your journey can inspire many people around the world.

Thank you so much. Okay, my profession, my name is Vijee Sam. And my profession is an export manager. And being in that scenario, stress is always a, what do you say, always a factor which comes along with the profession.

Yeah.

And before joining Habbit, my beliefs were only around the physical, you know, improvement and everything. But along with that, Habbit was the first group which taught me that it's not only physical, you need to have the mental well-being also, along with the part like watching Stranger's Secret, Making 7,000 steps a day.

Yeah, so you are just to explain what Vijji is saying, that is we focus on holistic approach. So not only the fitness alone. So what we focus on is first kind of changing the mind. And as part of that, we follow certain kind of mindset rituals, which is watching The Strangest Secret, following certain kind of habits. So that's what Vijji is just explaining. So before we go into the more details, I wanted to understand what was your life before HAFIT. And I know that when we had a first sales call, I do remember, I've gone through so many programs, so many things, I'm really fed up, I wanted a solution, something like that, you know, which I can take it for rest of my life. And I wanted to talk about little background about how did you, what were the challenges you faced previously?

Okay, being in a thyroid— thyroid patient.

Yeah.

And I'm diabetic also. Diabetic, I've been handling for more than 10 years. That is okay. But thyroid, when it crept into my system, what happens is that sleep was a big problem.

Okay.

Sleep, sleep patterns. And then along with that, like how you said, the mental well-being. That is something which I never focused on.

Okay.

And weight bouncing back, that was my main.

So how many, how many times you had this challenge? I do remember that you said, this is, I don't want to invest until and unless I see the result.

Yeah, that is true. Because, you know, I remember going to gyms, I remember going to, you know, certain other groups, health groups itself, they said, we'll give you a diet, we'll focus on your everyday workout, but either the workout would be extensive, or the diet would be really uncomfortable. I mean, like, this diet, I cannot continue the whole life. Yeah, that was where my challenge started. And Hapfit was like, very clear when they came to me that no, this is a lifestyle which you will follow till the end of your life. You're not gonna change from it.

Yes.

And I had Annie also coming around and she knew exactly, she's also from South India, so she knew exactly what I wanted. Yes, that is where the whole thing happened. And then both, I think Aravind and Annie, both of them focused on not only making me better, my future generation also better. It's like how you say that healthy mind needs a healthy body, healthy body, wise, wise words. So healthy parents need healthy kids also. So that was the first point where I said, okay, I'm for this group. I'm not going for any other group. I'm going for this group.

So just to pause you, Sham, so what exactly Sham is saying is she has gone through like everyone around the world, they only focus on diet and exercise. But that is the, that is the reason most of the people are failing again and again. So she also had a lot of struggles, and after a lot of frustration, finally she approached us. And what we have given is what she is just explaining. So just to give you a little brief about it. Okay, tell me, uh, Sham, I know that you are going through these challenges. So what is— and also, uh, the one more thing you told about, you wanted something like a sustainable approach. How did HAFIT help you in I know that when someone is telling you, you just blindly trusted me and opted me for, right? So how was your feeling when you said, okay, I want to try this? What was going on in your mind?

No, sustainability in lifestyle was what I wanted firstly. Because that failed several times. That was the first failure. Then coming back to my weight bouncing back and everything, I knew somewhere there is a dot which I'm not fixing it. Yeah, that I think Hapfit also fitted me in saying that, like, you know, the mental well-being is also there, which you don't have to just focus on physical ones. So that is where the whole thing became a success. Like, you know, I started seeing change and started enjoying the process. That is the main thing, because I'm eating my own food, my, my natural food. Yeah, where I come culturally, I come from Kerala. So the natural food is there in front of me, I don't have to bother about taking so many amount of fat, so many amount, it was already done, recorded and given to me. And I just had to follow it a little bit. I'm like, huh, there was a little bit changes, like might be when I'm taking 3 idlis, I would have to come down to 2 idlis.

Okay.

Do some changes in that, but still I'm still having it, at least. Yes, like if you want to understand it that way.

Yes. So what, uh, just to elaborate what Vijji has just mentioned is she was always had a restrictive diet previously, and everyone used to put her into a restrictive mode. So what we strongly believe is the knowledge what you get during this program, so she was able to eat whatever she was eating from last 20 to 30 years still was able to lose the weight. That is the beauty of it. So when we think, when we say about fitness is a lifestyle, you need to do the same things what you have been done in the 30 years and do a small, small modifications. Yes, anything you start at the first, there is a little resistance and there is a little uncomfortness would be there, but it's all about you taking it. You, you had that right mindset, Vijay, so that's why you are able to, uh, uh, proceed with the journey. Okay, tell me, how was your first couple of months and what was your— how was your progressing? And when did you got that real confidence that yes, this is what I need? I know that you started with the trust and explain, explain our audience that, you know, how was your journey and what are the things, what are the changes?

See, for me, the change started happening after 2 and a half weeks. We were in a stable state, but The thing is that, you know, I could see my diabetic levels are not going up. Neither is my sugar going up. My sleep patterns, that was the first thing which was a relief for me. My sleep went to a normal state, like how everyone can sleep. Like at 10:30, my batteries would go out and I would sleep nicely.

Just to pause you there, so how was your previous sleep?

I know that you had a I had very bad sleeps, very bad sleeps in the sense that most of the time I would be on medication because I would have continuous cough and allergies all the while.

Okay, okay.

I don't know, it came to me after my thyroid started. So I think it just would go off. And even if I sleep at 10 o'clock, I would wake up at 12:30. Go to a washroom or something, and then my sleep would block off till 3 again. And then again, it will go to sleep. By the time the house is ready for the lady of the family to do the housework and everything, and then it is not happening.

So how long you have been like that, that sleep pattern? Like, how was— how long you've been struggling like that?

Oh, that before Hapfit, I think 3, 4, 5 years, it was continuous like that. Like there was no go with that. Sleep was the first thing which affected me badly.

Okay, okay.

So how to correct that?

Yes, so you can, you can see, guys, so it's— that's what is most important is you need to look into the holistic approach. It's not about just a diet and exercise. Her sleep was struggling with the 5 years. The moment she comes back to her, the holistic approach, the approach what we have given. So tell me now, how is the sleep now?

Uh, Now I switch off my mobile because earlier at 10:30 also I would be looking at my mobile. Now I switch off my mobile 1 hour before I go to sleep. I switch off everything. And, you know, I listen to something and I simply go to sleep. There's no effort from my side. Sleep should come directly. Naturally sleep comes in. So That's the best part of it. Like, you know, you go naturally to sleep, you get up naturally awakened, and you want to face the day.

Yes.

So that's how it has to be, right?

Yes, yes, 100%. I think that was your biggest, um, what I can say, the content was that. Yeah. And then you— okay, then what happened after 2 and a half weeks? What are the changes you did other than food?

Food started also. I mean, like, you know, food patterns also started. I started noticing I don't have bloating much. Yeah, and exercises started creeping in. Like, you know, of course, it was exercises, everyday exercises were there. But it was in the way how my body could handle it. Okay, slow, steady growth. Not like, you know, I have to do 90 push-ups. Yeah, that, that wasn't what— because, you know, after 90 push-ups, my body wouldn't be able to do the remaining work. So that was my concerned when I'm doing a physical exercise. I wanted— I told it straight to Ani that don't make me do something which I cannot handle my kitchen and everything. This kitchen is a part of me that I've never left it gone. As a normal housewife, I've never left it to anyone else. That has to be handled by me and I have to have the energy for that. Yes.

Just to add what Vijay was saying, most of the people think that The moment they start any kind of a fitness journey, they think that they have to leave everything. They have to leave eating all the favorite foods and they have to work out for long hours. It is all misconceptions, right? When you have that right information, even whatever you're doing, you can still fit into your life. So that is what has happened with you during the journey, right?

And I think I had a discussion with you also, Aravind, saying that I love to have fried foods. Yeah. And being a Keralaite, fried food is like one among my weaknesses. So, and you said it's okay to have fried food, it's okay, one samosa, but then make sure you have worked it out. So that was like, you know, okay, I'll have one samosa or finish my dinner with that, and then I'll work it out how, how to handle. So that handling part came easy.

Yeah, yeah.

Then the next 2 months, I think we were handling it, how, how tough we can go with the diet, how far we can go, how less we can take, all that, you know, calculations were coming in through Ani. Yeah, we were doing very good.

Yes.

And didn't have to do strenuous exercise to get me down to 25 inches on my hands. Yeah. And all that stuff. So that was, that was really good.

Yes, that's, that's amazing. Vijay, I think, I think the overall you have The only thing is, it is always, as I always say, that, you know, it is always the teamwork. You are fully trusted us and you just gone by the words and gone by the process, whatever the system we set. And that's what is the change. This is what actually I also tell most of the audience that don't just go behind the weight and you are the true example, right? You can see that the weight loss is very less, almost like only 5 kgs you lost, but you have a drastic change in your body recomposition. The inch loss, the overall sleep improvement, the relationship with your food, the relationship with your body, in your mind, and you are able to take proper decisions, and all of them is improved. So that is what is a real transformation. I am really, really glad that, you know, you, you understood the foundation of what, and you followed blindly. And yeah, tell me, what are the other breakthroughs?

Okay, the bonus factor I'll tell you right now. Yeah, because I started having a healthy lifestyle, my children started following me.

Wow.

That's the best part of the game. Wow. You know, as a mother, you don't want to stop it there. You want to give that, you know, information which you have to your kids. Of course, information is always available for them also, that is there in the internet. But when you see your mother doing it, then they step up and say, okay, now we have to do it. My both daughters, which are I mean, like, they're a little overweight and with concern to buy kits, both of them started taking it up seriously. And my elder daughter has reduced a couple of like 10-15 kgs. She looks good.

So this is, this is 3 to 4 years to do it. Yeah. No, that's, that's what is right. So kids, this is the my, as I, as I always say that, right? The kids follow you, uh, us as a role model. So they just follow in our footprints. The one best thing what happened is you learned during this journey how the diet works, how you can simplify. That is the beauty of it, right? Most of the times you follow diets blindly, but that is what you— it has made the change. It's not about you. You also followed previously lot of, uh, patterns, but they were never able to follow it. But this time it is all about you started learning and they are able to follow, and you are able to also help them during, um their journey as well. So that's what's happening. I'm really, really glad. And thank you. Yeah. So what was some of the challenges you faced during this journey? Where normal people think that, you know, it is too difficult to follow. You do— you had any kind of these kind of challenges?

Not really. Like, you know, I don't know, might be because, you know, see, we all have a pattern, right? Food should be like this. And then you have to have a break. And then you again have a meal. So the breaks and the meals were conveniently put together. And I didn't have to, you know, stress myself. Okay, you know, okay, I'll have to make a detox drink right now. Or I have to have apple cider vinegar this time.

Yeah. So all these, all these myths are busted during this journey.

It's gone off. And then right now, I don't have to ask anyone, like, you know, seasonal fruits, where to go. I mean, that helping. I really didn't feel that I was on a diet.

Yes. Because you are eating already the same food. So there is no small, small changes we brought in to get the minimum nutrition. So that's the beauty. So people think that they need to torture their body to go through it.

But yeah, and more of us, you know, veggies of what do you say for that fiber, into the appetite didn't make a big change in me. Like, you know, I was okay, okay. And I remember I was asking Ani also several times, are you sure this is the same diet I should follow? And he was like, yeah, you're seeing changes, you're being happy, what else do we need? So she said, okay, fine.

That's, that's—

I was so happy to tell it to so many people because I remember there were other groups who were going for freedom from diabetes and everything, coming up to me and say, you shouldn't eat this much, you shouldn't eat this much. I said, I don't think so, because I'm seeing changes. Yeah, if you're happy with your change, go ahead. But for me, this is the best. Yes. If you don't want to take, don't, and that's, that's, that's your choice.

But for me, 100%. Yeah, it's all about what suits. There is no generalization, especially when it comes to the overall program. And yeah, there are a lot of misconceptions there. A lot of people eat so, so little what his body itself cannot have it. And, um, it's all about having that right knowledge and right guidance and the right mindset. So that is what is most important. And we go by the science. There is nothing, there is nothing that, you know, this doesn't work. What works for you is the best for you. So that's what exactly happened. And, uh, yes, anything else you wanted to, um, share it with our audience, um, before we come back for the next video when I've lost another 10 kgs, and then we'll make a next video.

So then I'll be much more energized to say it.

And then like, how was, uh, just, just you wanted to tell that, you know, why do people have to have a coach? And you know, how did that help? Because you know most of the knowledge before you started this program, and but you got, you saw the so many breakthroughs, not only with your health, your weight loss, your inch loss, and not only that, your kids have taken you as inspiration and they are, they are also getting the results. So What do you, why do you think the coach, what is the role of a coach that you felt was the biggest point in your success?

See, like, you know, if you have, I would like to say it like, how do you go to a doctor, you might have 101 reasons to say to yourself that this cough will go off, there's no problem, you can handle it by some sort of home medicines or something like that, it'll go off. But whether the cuff will not come back to you, that a doctor can only say to you. The same way, you might have a sane diet in your hand. But what is the fault in that? Where is your hunger pangs coming? Or when is the time that you have to exercise? Unless and until a fitness coach teaches you, you're not going to understand the whole thing, right? So these are the points where you have to, you know, What do you say? You have to go to a trainer, you have to go to a person who knows about food and nutrition and then work it out.

Yeah.

Because if you don't have a guru in that, you're not gonna, you're not gonna make it. Yeah, this is not an easy task to take up. And a guru takes half the load on his shoulder and says, okay, come with me, I'll show you the way. Go for that.

That's great.

Yeah, health is your most valuable thing right now, right? You need to have it.

So yeah, there's one thing which is very clearly said that, um, yeah, you always have the right mentor when you are in the path because the mentor has already gone through that path. He will make your journey. Yeah, that's what happened with you. Yeah.

So you need to have that mentor because I'm also in a training scenario, might be because of that. I always tell people, go for it, take professional advice, and then once they set the patterns for you, then you can do the tracking on your own. But until that, until the point where you can run on your own, make sure you have a mentor with you. That helps a lot.

Yes, that's great. That's great.

I think I should use Robin Sharma's word. If you don't have a mentor, you're gonna lose it half the way.

Yeah, 100%. And tell me, do you have now confidence that you can take your fitness journey for rest of your life? Because that is one of the fundamental things we teach during the journey.

So yeah, yeah, sure. When I, I knew that my— now that I know my— I can sleep easily. Yeah, now that I know that my diabetic is not going to bother me the rest of my life.

Yeah.

And I know how much steps I have to take every day, how much I have to progress, progressively go into it, what all exercises I have to do. Because it's not like, you know, everything was given by Hapfit. No, but, you know, slowly, slowly growing into it. We get the track, right? Yeah, a little bit of track. And yes, I would like to— I think I am confident in continuing the journey.

You got, you got all the tools with you right now.

And yeah, tools are there with me. I wouldn't say that it's, you know, it's, you know, I want to continue this journey. But then yes, if I fall, I'll come back to you. Don't worry.

No problem. No, you will never come back. I know that if your kids are inspiring with your journey, and they are losing the weight, and you have everything. And I'm glad that— okay, I think the one last question is, are you able to maintain the journey beyond our program? So a lot of people think that, you know, they, they stop the journey. And what was your success story? I think it's been more than 4 or 5 months you, you completed the program. So what was your journey beyond the program? Do you see that you're, you're, um, you're able to sustain the whatever the journey?

Yeah, that was my challenge. Like, you know, when I stopped with, uh, Hapfit, I told myself that let me see whether I can continue with this on an everyday basis and see whether I can warn myself whenever I fall out, no, this is not what you have to do, come back to the track.

So that you got that mindset shift.

That is done 75%. But still, there are so many things because Hapfit always has so many new, new things. Like, I think when I was going to end the session, you started like 6 habits to be, no, 10 habits to be done every day challenge and everything. I really, I couldn't do all those challenges every day. And I was like, you know, I'm really going back. But then I told myself, it's okay, I can, you know, I can make it later. Yes.

It's everyone's journey is different. People think that we need to do all the 100 things. But I think the one word which is, I'm really glad that you've taken taken to the heart is, um, it's not about how many times you fail. You always falling back is the best thing you can do. Most of the mistakes people does during the fitness journey is once they go off track, they make that as a permanent, uh, uh, decision.

Yeah, that, that, that intuition that no, you have to come back. Whether I have a late night dinner, the next day I know how to handle it, know how to— I would directly go to my weighing scale, check it up, how much grams I've gone. And I will start, you know, detoxifying myself. Everything starts in and out. So that's, that's great. You know, I know it. But yeah, it's, it's not the end of the thing. Like I told you, there are 100 million things which habit is already introducing.

Yes.

So I think I'm a little bit lagging in that, but I'll come back.

Don't worry, you're, you're always there. So thank you, Vijji, for this amazing time you have given to us. And, um, what is the one last word you want to tell the audience about your health and your own, um, whatever you wanted to say to the audience about the HAFIT or your, your overall experience? If you want to share anything, uh, feel free to.

See, if you, you believe, if you're believing in sustainability, which will take you to the end of, for a lifetime, then have it as your source.

Yeah.

But if you want a quick fix, you better— I don't have any answer then, because I'm a person who has gone for the quick fix. Yeah, felt bad, fell on the face, and then came back. Said, no, this is not. So sustainability is the key. Yeah, it should maintain you all the life. And you know what, ups and downs will not happen. You will have, especially for a person above 40.

Yeah.

The risk is coming inside your body. So you need to maintain your body.

Yeah.

And one thing we should always remember, your partner in life is your body.

Body, 100%. That's great, that's great, Viji. Thank you, Viji, for giving this valuable time, and I really loved interviewing you, and your story is really inspiring. Even though you are with your busy schedule and you having a full-time, your mother, and taking care of kids and lot of responsibilities, but still you are able to consistently do it and made Fitness as a Lifestyle. For now, it's a proud moment for us to have a coachee like you, and we really enjoy it thoroughly and hope this interview will inspire so many people who think that they cannot do it with all these challenges, but you are able to do all of them with your busy schedule. That says a lot about you, and once again, congratulations and thank you so much for giving this opportunity for us to Thank you, thank you so much. Thank you. Yeah, that's all for audience for this interview. And if you wanted any further details about what we do and what is our program is all about, you can go to our website hafit.com and you can get more details. And also you can follow us on Hafit and arvind.padmaraju is my personal Instagram handle, so you can Follow it. It's all what, what I always say is fitness is a lifestyle. Don't go into a traps of quick fixes as Vijay has mentioned. Always take it as a lifestyle, even if it takes a one year. Give the time to your body as, as she's told. The one partner who stays or throughout your life from the time you're born to die is your body. So treat them well and take that as a really— and put a small, small actions and changes what Vijay has mentioned. It is not complicated, it's very simple. Because when you go in a quick fix route, you need to complicate and you wanted that instant gratification. Come out of all that crap and focus on building the lifestyle which you can sustain for rest of your life. So not only that, every action what you are going to take is going to inspire the kids of the next generations. That's how the HAFIT has built. It's not about you transforming, the transformation has to impact the next generations. So that generations will never ever come back to what are the struggles we had. So that's what— that's all. And thank you once again, and I'll see you with one more interview. Till then, bye-bye. Take care, guys.