More than a decade ago, Dr Shalini Devi Ramachandran used to weight a whopping 118kg.

Plagued with illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome and hypothyroidism that came with the excess weight, following various diets and exercise did not help as she would put on weight as soon as she had lost some.

The wake-up call came in 2011 as she was pondering over her health conditions, coupled with that of her late diabetic father, who was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure.

Deciding that enough was enough, Shalini devised her own healthly regime which comprised 80 percent nutrition and 20 percent exercise, and this saw her weight go down an impressive 44kg in less than six months!

To date, Shalini has lost a total of 67 kg from where she started, and she is now coaching other people to lose their weights too.

Astro Ulagam recently spoke to the inspiring doctor about her journey.

According to her, her weight hovered around 70kg for about four years after she started the regime, before she lost another 14kg at the end of 2015.

It was also at this point of time that she decided to embark on a journey to get others to lose weight too, starting with her husband, Dr M Yuveneswara.

Yuveneswara, whom Shalini met while doing her housemanship at the Klang Hospital, started off weighing 135kg, but came down to 80kg in just six months.

Next on the fit list was Shalini's mother Devaki Duraisingam, whom she helped reach her ideal weight of 59kg after the latter put on the pounds following a spinal surgery.

Shalini noted that when the kilos withered away, so did her medical conditions. Today, at 58kg, she is super fit, free from any medication, and even won a saree beauty pageant two years ago!

She has also launched fitness classes at four locations, including in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Singapore and Australia.

Besides, she also currently runs online zumba classes twice a day, which she finds time to squeeze despite her busy days at the clinic! Her mother even assists her in coaching people in the zumba classes.

According to Shalini, the biggest challenges in getting one to commit to a weight loss journey are putting them in the right mind frame, and getting them to balance the task with their daily commitments.

"However, I assure you that if you can commit to my 60 days challenge, I can help change you on your weight loss journey.

"If I can run a clinic, and conduct coaching classes at the same time, so can you, as long as you put your mind to it," she told Astro Ulagam.

As cliched as it may sound, Shalini says that life is indeed too short to regret, as good health, once lost, is hard to be regained.

"If there is a chance to get it right, then never let it go, no matter how busy life gets.

"I did not let go of my second chance, and wonders happened."

According to her, having been overweight herself, pretty much helps in convincing people to follow her routine, as experience talks louder than words.

Truly inspiring indeed doctor. Shalini is testament that one can do anything as long as one puts their mind, and heart into it.

It is even more commendable that she did not stop at losing weight herself, and helping her family members do the same, but is helping others regain their health.

Shalini's story is part of a series of thirteen inspirational tales of women that Astro Ulagam will be highlighting in the coming weeks.

This series is in conjunction of PENGIRL ROCK, a fun talk show which highlights inspiring women, which will premier at at 9PM, 19th March only on Vaanavil HD CH201.


Photos source: Dr Shalini Devi Ramachandran, The Star