I lost 30 kilos

source: depositphotos

• 3 key terms: Refined sugary foods, unhealthy flours, packaged products.
• I solved my weight loss problem in a short time by controlling my will (4–5 months). As it was said, it was not an easy process at all. I did not consume any of the above foods. As someone from Gaziantep, which is the homeland of baklava, kadayif and pistachio and all the desserts you can think of, I did not eat these. I did not eat any food that is eaten with bread. Including pastries or buns. I did not even eat any chocolate from the market, or any sugary foods you can think of like chips (except fruit).

Baklava with pistachio

• Although our culture heavily relies on dough-based and sugary foods, staying away from these delicacies was extremely challenging for me. Their taste is so good that it’s hard to resist. Turkish kitchen is big, offering a wide variety of dishes, many of which are made with dough or meat. Not eating bread with meals is often seen as strange, and people assume you won’t feel full without it. Additionally, protein is quite expensive in our country; packaged foods are cheap, but meat, chicken, fish, and eggs are costly. This financial strain makes dieting even more difficult, beyond just the willpower required. When a family struggles to afford meat, it’s even tougher for a university student.

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You should try the food you see in the photo. But not on the condition that you eat it all the time. I also believe that you will agree that it is the best food you can eat.

• What I described above highlights the financial and personal difficulties of the situation, but the most important aspect is health.
• When I weighed 110 kilograms, I had a blood test. I found out I had significant liver fat and elevated blood sugar. Since diabetes runs in my family, this was an additional cause for concern.
• I also noticed that I couldn’t bend over easily or feel comfortable while showering or using the bathroom. These everyday activities became difficult. Clothes didn’t fit properly, and I recalled how my face looked at 80 kilograms — thinner, more defined, and much better. When I saw my face at 110 kilograms, I felt terrible. Studying was uncomfortable; I couldn’t sit properly at the desk or cross my legs. Normally, I’d instinctively put one leg up on the chair while studying, but I couldn’t do that anymore. One of the worst issues was that I didn’t even want to go outside; my body would jiggle as I walked, my belly would stick out, and my t-shirts would bulge at the sides. I was sweating excessively, making both myself and those around me uncomfortable. Even when I wanted to go to the library to study, I couldn’t bring myself to go, as just walking for 10 minutes left me drenched in sweat. When I write down all these disadvantages and re-read them, it reinforces how important my diet is to me.
• I’m sharing these struggles to make it clear that the process wasn’t easy. Both the physical aspect and the sustainability of it were extremely challenging under such difficult conditions.
• Initially, I limited myself to two meals a day, which I believe to be healthy.

Breakfast

• 3–5 boiled eggs
• Some greens
• Olives
• Cheese
• Hot tea

Lunch

• I ate one portion of fruit to maintain my blood sugar levels. For example: apples, mandarins, peaches.

Dinner

• I ate the meals my mother prepared without flour, dough, or sugar. Instead of a full plate, I reduced my portions to half a plate.
• Greens
• Yogurt
• Let me tell you sincerely: within just four days, I noticed significant changes. Most of my belly fat was gone, and I had to tighten my belt. I felt much more comfortable in my t-shirt — my stomach wasn’t jiggling or folding over. This gave me a perfect boost in confidence; I wanted to go out and head to the library again.

Exercise

• I did about 1 hour of weight training.
• 30 minutes of running, 30 minutes of incline walking, 30 minutes of cycling, and 15 minutes of jump rope.
• I also did 3–5 sets of abdominal and reverse crunch exercises.
• This method worked for me. I highly recommend staying away from bad sugars and unhealthy flours.