By: Lifestyle DeskNew Delhi | November 14, 2025 05:25 PM IST 3 min readSonakshi Sinha talks about her weight loss journey (Photo: Sonakshi Sinha/Instagram)Sonakshi Sinha, 38, recalled her weight loss journey, emphasising that she wanted to get fit for health reasons. “Weight loss was very difficult for me because I was always an overweight kid. It took me 2.5 years (to lose weight). I realised it only during my college. I didn’t do it for vanity or to become an actor. I did it for health reasons. I was 18 and I couldn’t run on the treadmill for more than 30 seconds. That struck me once very badly. And I was like, I don’t want to live this unhealthy life,” the Dabbang actor told Bharti Singh and Harrsh Limbachiyaa on their YouTube podcast.Sharing that she incorporated a variety in her fitness routine, Sonakshi added: “I used to go to the gym. I used to do cardio, weight training, and I tried a variety of things. I used to do yoga. Eventually, I started Pilates.”Admitting that it’s difficult to maintain weight for someone who loves food, Sonakshi said “balance” is important. “I have always maintained a healthy body image. I don’t want to be someone who can’t inspire other girls. I didn’t have that role model when I was growing up. Your health and happiness are everything that matters.”Story continues below this ad Here’s what you should consider (Photo: Freepik)Taking a cue from Sinha’s candid admission, let’s understand how fitness is not only about losing weight but also building strength.Fitness expert and consultant dietitian Garima Goyal said that moment of ‘I can’t keep up’ becomes a wake-up call, not simply about weight but about functional capacity, cardiovascular endurance and the foundation of health. “As a dietitian, I see such moments as invaluable because they compel a deeper look at how nutrition, movement and mindset all work together,” said Goyal.Rather than chasing a number on the scale, the drive is more toward building a body that can move, sustain and perform. “It would have required aligning diet to support workouts, improving lean muscle mass, upgrading cardiovascular capacity and enhancing metabolic health. This means shifting from habit-based eating or sporadic workouts to a consistent pattern of nourishing meals, regular movement and adequate recovery,” Goyal said.A balanced approach with sufficient protein for muscle repair, fibre and micronutrients for recovery and digestion, and smart meal timing for energy balance becomes crucial here.Story continues below this adAlso Read | Jacqueline Fernandez, 40, combines weights with yoga, says she’s making ‘conscious effort’ to do more: ‘…especially when you are getting older’What stands out is that the transformation is not just physical but also functional and sustainable.“Being able to run, train and move freely becomes a marker of health rather than just aesthetic change. And that is the real message. Fitness is not only about looking different; it is about being able to do different. When nutrition supports consistent movement and movement complements recovery, the body builds strength and resilience over time,” said Goyal.DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine. For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd