When an allergic reaction left Ranj Naidoo on chronic medication, she found that the meds weren’t having the desired effect — and it was making her pick up weight. In an effort to help her health and self-confidence, Ranj decided to cut out gluten — and the results were amazing!
Ranj Naidoo
Age:51
City: Centurion
Secret weapon to weight loss: Ditching gluten
READ MORE: 7 Ways To Shift Those Last Few Stubborn Kilos, According To A Dietician
The Gain
Ranj was never really an overweight person. But a decade ago, a health condition left her lethargic, uncomfortable and putting on weight. “I started experiencing allergic reactions that adversely affected my breathing ability, skin and other important organs. My lungs felt as though they weren’t receiving enough oxygen,” she says. Worse still, Ranj didn’t know what triggered her reactions, so she ended up spending a mountain of cash on medication, including cortisone meds that had her gaining about 10 more kilos.
The Change
“I decided that the allergy medication was not helping me. In fact, I felt like it was doing more harm than good to my body,” says Ranj. So, in October 2016, she took a self-diagnostic route. “After tedious consultations with medical specialists, I eliminated all gluten products from my diet and found that all my allergies vanished,” she says. To make sure, she reintroduced gluten after two weeks and they all returned. “I tossed out all the gluten and decided to focus more on leading a healthy lifestyle, being consistent with eating clean and being active,” she says.
READ MORE: “I Used This Weight Loss Programme And It Totally Changed My Body”
The Lifestyle
Ranj’s idea to ditch her medication proved to be the best decision she’s ever made. She also opted to join a gym and started working out three times a week. “I was enjoying every moment of my new and improved life – I was energetic and getting fitter by the day,” she says. Soon, she added another day to her exercising regime and started doing planks, squats, push-ups, mountain climbers, lunges and core training. Her gluten-free diet included fish, chicken and fresh fruit and vegetables, which she’d eat in small portions.
The Reward
Besides dropping a whole 15 kilos of weight, Ranj says her greatest reward was her new-found energy and confidence. Another bonus? Her new #fitfam. “Women often approach me at the gym or via Facebook to ask for workout tips and inspiration to keep exercising,” she says. “I feel renewed and a natural sense of motivation.”
