Truth, they say, is stranger than fiction. When Chetna Rustagi, a mother of two daughters, joined a gymnasium in 2019, her only goal was to lose weight – which she desperately wished to.
Chetna, who hails from Rewari and is currently settled in Bengaluru, had not imagined where her training would take her.
In due course, it so happened that the inspiring journey which Chetna embarked upon just to lose weight not only transformed her, but also helped the once-obese woman emerge as a marathon winner and powerlifting champion! Chetna’s story is marked by grit and determination, and also reminds us that life can offer miracles if we are prepared to push our limits.
“I come from a traditional baniya family, in which there was no concept of physical workout. Plus, my body had the tendency to put on weight. Hence, I kept on getting bulkier during my adolescence. So much so, that I weighed more than 95 kilograms when I got married in 2006 while I was just around 20 years old,” Chetna said while talking to The Tribune.
Chetna continued to gain weight after her marriage. She gave birth to a daughter in 2013 and another in 2017.
“By 2018-19, I weighed 124 kg. I mostly stayed home and wore nighties all day as the dresses of my size – 5XL – were hard to find. I felt useless and was ashamed of myself. I tried cutting down my diet, skipping dinner and going for walks, but nothing worked. Eventually, I joined a gym in 2019,” she revealed.
Regular physical workout under the supervision of a physical trainer, coupled with a strict diet discipline, completely transformed Chetna, who came down to 62 kg within a year or so.
“It was a metamorphosis for me. I utilised the Covid-induced lockdown to carry out my fitness regime, and the results were miraculous. My dress size dropped from 5XL to S and even XS. People who saw me after several months failed to recognise me. Some of our neighbours asked me: ‘Aap Chetna ki sister ho?’ and I can’t explain the looks on their faces on being told that I was Chetna,” recalls the transformed woman.
And wait, the story is not over yet. In fact, the best part is yet to come. After having worked so hard and achieving – rather overachieving – her goal, Chetna set a new goal for herself.
“My workout sessions combined cardiovascular exercises and strength training, which also included lifting weights. My coach found me good at powerlifting and encouraged me to participate in competitions. Hence, I participated in a regional competition and won a bronze medal therein,” states Chetna.
There has been no looking back for Chetna, who has participated in a number of powerlifting competitions, marathon races and other fitness contests since then, and won more than 42 medals in various national and international events.
Most recently, she won two gold medals in the South Zone Powerlifting Competition held under the banner of the World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) held at Banashankari in Bengaluru.
As they say, success comes at a price. Chetna has also sacrificed a lot to achieve her goals.
“I do not eat anything outside my home. If I go out with my family or friends, I do not have anything at restaurants. I also attend marriage ceremonies, but never pick up a plate while I am there,” she asserts.
Chetna gives full credit for her transformation and achievements to her mother-in-law Ranjana, husband Manav Rustagi and fitness trainer Mohammad Azmat, who is also a co-partner of the WRPF.
“Apart from the constant support of my family and coach, my will-power has brought me to this level. I believe that I can push my limits and achieve anything anyhow, once I decide,” maintains Chetna, who now wants to reset her target and venture into some other sport associated with fitness.
