How a Retired Airline Pilot from Pune Lost 13 Kg and Reclaimed Her Health After Menopause

I Dropped 13 kg in Just 5 Months With FFD!

Name - Mrs. Deepali Ramesh Wagholikar
Age - 55 Years Young
Profession - Retired Airline Pilot
Place - Pune,Maharashtra.

Hello, I am Deepali Ramesh Wagholikar, a 55-year-old retired airline pilot from Pune.

For decades, my profession demanded irregular schedules, back-to-back flights, disrupted sleep, and eating whatever was available between flights. While I managed to stay fit during my flying career, things changed rapidly after retirement and menopause.

My weight started increasing, my health markers began deteriorating, and for the first time, my HbA1c touched 6.8.

What started as a weight-loss journey soon became a journey of self-discovery and health transformation.

Today, I have lost 13 kg, reduced my HbA1c to 6.0, improved my inflammation markers, and gained a much deeper understanding of my health.

Key Takeaways

Reduced HbA1c from 6.8 to 6.0 in 11 months
Weight reduced from 86 kg to 73 kg in 5 months; currently at 77 kg
Reduced HsCRP from above 10 to around 3.8
Improved VLDL from 36 mg/dl to 26 mg/dl
Improved sleep quality
Improved memory and energy levels
Stopped Cholesterol Meds in 9 months
Cleared GTT
Completed multiple Fast for Freedom challenges
Adopted a sustainable fitness routine
Discovered the power of lifestyle medicine

My Health Story

For decades, my career as an airline pilot demanded discipline and regular health monitoring.

Despite a family history of diabetes my father lived with diabetes for nearly three decades my reports remained normal for most of my life.

Things changed after retirement.

The combination of menopause, lifestyle changes, and years of irregular eating patterns during flying schedules started catching up with me.

During my last few months before retirement, I was frequently relying on ready-made foods because of back-to-back flights.

Gradually, I gained weight and started feeling different physically.

What I did not realize at that time was that my body was showing early signs of metabolic imbalance.

When I finally got tested after joining FFD, I discovered that my HbA1c had climbed to 6.8. That was a wake-up call.

How Was FFD Introduced and What Made Me Choose It?

Interestingly, it was a friend from Switzerland who introduced me to Freedom From Diabetes.

She had joined the program and suggested that I attend the Discover Reversal Session. Initially, my goal was simple; I wanted to lose weight.

But after joining and reviewing my reports, I realized there were deeper issues that needed attention.

My inflammation marker, HsCRP, was extremely high. My triglycerides were elevated.

My lipid profile needed improvement.

For the first time, I became aware of the hidden health challenges developing inside my body.

That awareness became the beginning of my transformation.

Mrs. Deepali Ramesh Wagholikar

My Reversal Journey

The results started showing up quickly.

Within the first week itself, I lost nearly 4 kg by following the nutrition protocols seriously.

That early success gave me tremendous motivation. Over time, my HbA1c reduced from 6.8 to 6.0.

My HsCRP levels dropped significantly from 10+ to 3.8 levels.
My triglycerides improve
My sleep quality became better.
My memory Improved.

Most importantly, I started feeling healthier and more energetic. Weight loss was another major milestone.

I started the program at 86 kg and eventually reached 73 kg, a total reduction of 13 kg.

While my current weight fluctuates around 77 kg, the transformation completely changed how I feel physically.

I also participated in multiple Fast for Freedom challenges.

The first few fasting cycles helped me lose weight and improve my metabolic health significantly. I discovered that structured fasting worked particularly well for me.

More than anything else, FFD helped me understand my relationship with food. I have always been a foodie.

Controlling portions and appetite was my biggest challenge. Through the program, I became much more aware of my eating habits and learned practical ways to manage them better.

My Athletic Identity

My athletic identity turned out to be a combination of movement, strength, and flexibility.

Being passionate about golf, I remained physically active through tournaments and competitive events.

Later, I gradually adopted a structured fitness routine recommended by FFD:

Yoga – 3 days a week
Cardio – 2 days a week
Weight Training – 2 to 3 days a week

This balanced approach has helped me stay active, improve mobility, and support long-term health.

My Experience at the Freedom Health Retreat

One of the highlights of my journey was attending the Freedom Health Retreat.

It gave me an opportunity to meet Dr. Pramod Tripathi and Dr. Malhar Ganla personally. The experience was eye-opening.

The lectures, activities, competitions, discussions, and practical learning sessions provided valuable insights that extended far beyond diabetes management.

I still have notes from some of those sessions.

The retreat reinforced the idea that true health transformation requires a holistic approach.

Current Lifestyle & Reflection

Today, I feel far more aware of my health than ever before.

The program taught me that numbers like HbA1c, inflammation markers, cholesterol, sleep quality, fitness, and emotional well-being are all connected.

The greatest gift FFD gave me was knowledge. Knowledge about my body. Knowledge about nutrition. Knowledge about sustainable lifestyle changes.

Even though life remains busy with family responsibilities and supporting my young son, I now have tools that help me stay on track.