How Kalpana Ravi from Bangalore Improved HbA1c & Gained Healthy Weight With FFD!
I Gained a Staggering 15 kg of Healthy Weight With FFD!
- Name - Mrs. Kalpana Ravi
- Age - 65 Years Young
- Profession - Retired (Formerly with DRDO & Philips)
- Place - Bangalore, Karnataka.
I have been living with diabetes for the past 13 years. My journey has had many ups and downs, but today I feel I have reached a place where I can manage my condition with better awareness and balance.
Key Takeaways
- Diabetes Duration: 13 Years
- HbA1c reduced from 11.2 to 7.1 in 8 months
- Blood sugar reduced from 400 to controlled levels
- Weight gained from 37 kg to 52 kg in 12 months; currently at 48 kg
- Completed 108 Surya Namaskars
- Improved overall stability despite insulin dependency
- Built a consistent routine with gym, yoga, and walking
My Diabetes Story
My diabetes was diagnosed when I started experiencing vision-related issues. I was unable to see clearly, and that prompted me to consult a doctor.
Tests revealed extremely high sugar levels:
- Blood sugar between 350–400
- HbA1c around 11.2
Looking back, I feel stress and lifestyle habits played a big role.
During my working years, I often relied on frequent snacking, especially sweets like chocolates, to cope with work pressure.
During my working years, I often relied on frequent snacking, especially sweets like chocolates, to cope with work pressure.
There was also a strong family history of diabetes on my mother’s side, which increased my risk.
Life Before Structured Intervention
Initially, I was on Metformin three times a day, but even with medication, my sugar levels stayed high.
After the COVID phase, my sugars became even more unstable and rarely came below 300, which made it clear that something more needed to be done.
My Reversal Journey
When I joined the program, my condition required close monitoring and medical support.
Initially, with guided changes, my medication was reduced to minimal tablets, and sugar levels were more controlled.
However, another challenge came up. My weight had dropped to 37 kg, which was too low for my height and overall health.
To stabilize both weight and sugar levels, insulin support was introduced as a temporary strategy, with the goal of helping my body regain balance.
Over time, I started seeing improvements:
- My HbA1c reduced to around 7.1
- My body weight improved from 37 kg to around 52 kg
- Overall, I felt more stable and capable of managing my health
Although there have been fluctuations due to medication changes and consistency challenges, I have been able to maintain a much better state than before.
Understanding My Body
One of my biggest learnings has been that every small change whether in medication timing, food, or routine affects my body differently.
At times, I experienced:
- Low sugar episodes at night
- Digestive discomfort with certain medications
These experiences taught me the importance of closely observing my body and staying in touch with doctors.
Athletic Identity
Despite my age and long-term diabetes, I stay active:
- Regular gym workouts most days of the week
- Yoga sessions in the evening
- Walking and social activity daily
One of my proud achievements has been completing 108 Surya Namaskars in a group session, and I regularly perform up to 50 on my own.
Mental & Lifestyle Shift
Through the program, I also explored meditation and breathing practices, which helped me become more aware of my habits and responses.
More importantly, I realized that managing diabetes is not just about numbers it is about developing the right understanding and rhythm with your body.
Current Lifestyle & Reflection
Today, I feel that my health is generally stable, and I am able to live a comfortable and active life.
While there are still moments of fluctuation, I now have the awareness and tools to handle those phases better.
I also feel motivated to guide others around me, especially friends who are struggling with diabetes complications.
