From Beer Belly To 6-Pack Abs: This 51-Year-Old Man’s Transformation Will Inspire You (Image Credits: Rajiv Garg)
Real-Life Weight Loss Story: Losing weight in your 40s or 50s can feel like an uphill battle. Despite hitting the gym, cutting down on junk, and trying to eat “healthy,” many people find the scale stubbornly refusing to budge. Energy levels dip, motivation fades, and frustration sets in. For Rajiv Garg, a 51-year-old BSNL executive, this story felt all too familiar—until he discovered the secret that changed everything: a quantified approach to nutrition and fitness.
“I used to think I was doing everything right,” Rajiv shares. “I was going to the gym regularly, eating sensibly—or at least I thought I was—but nothing changed. My weight stayed around 95 kilos, and I was stuck.”
The Turning Point: From Frustration to Focus
Rajiv’s real transformation began in 2020 when he met his friend and soon-to-be coach, Lavesh Bhagtani. It was through Lavesh that Rajiv was introduced to the concept of quantified nutrition—an approach that involves tracking what you eat, understanding your calorie intake, and balancing macronutrients to suit your goals.
“Once I started following a structured diet plan and strength training consistently, things started to shift. I lost 15 kilos, and for the first time in years, I felt like I had control,” Rajiv says.
But the journey wasn’t without obstacles. Like many of us, he found it difficult to stick to a routine during family gatherings or social events. “Temptations are everywhere. But Lavesh’s guidance and support helped me stay the course.”
With his weight down to 80 kg and body fat around 15–16 per cent, Rajiv maintained this new level of fitness for some time—until another opportunity came along.
A New Challenge: Pushing the Limits
Rajiv came across FITTR’s Transformation Challenge 20 (TC20), founded by Jitendra Chouksey, and decided to join it—this time, along with his wife Mamta. With weekly guidance from Lavesh, he dropped from 82 kg to 67 kg, taking his body fat percentage into single digits.
That’s when the idea of competing in a bodybuilding event first emerged.
“We said, ‘Why not take it a step further?’ So we prepared for ICN Surat 2024, a bodybuilding competition,” Rajiv explains.
The preparation was gruelling. From battling hunger pangs and mood swings to managing stress and low energy levels, the final phase of fat loss was the toughest. “It was mentally and physically taxing. There were times when my performance in the gym dropped by 50–60 per cent due to the calorie deficit. But every time I looked in the mirror, I could see my body changing. That kept me going.”
From Office Desk to the Bodybuilding Stage
In March 2024, Rajiv participated in the Mr Chandigarh Bodybuilding Contest, placing second in the 50+ category. A month later, he stood on stage at ICN Surat 2024 and took home first prize in the 50+ division. He also earned finalist and runner-up spots in several other categories.
“It was surreal. I never imagined, at 51, I would be standing on a bodybuilding stage, let alone winning medals.”
But Rajiv didn’t stop there. He shifted his focus to gaining lean muscle mass, following a calculated calorie-surplus diet of around 2,300 calories a day and progressively increasing workout intensity. With this momentum, he entered TC21 and emerged as runner-up in the masters category.
From Learner to Leader
Rajiv’s journey inspired him to go a step further—this time, academically. He enrolled as an INFS scholar, aiming to deepen his knowledge of fitness and nutrition to help others.
“I know how difficult it can be to start, especially when you're older or dealing with health issues. I wanted to be able to guide others the way Lavesh guided me,” he said
Wake-Up Call
Rajiv’s motivation wasn’t just about aesthetics. His health markers—HbA1c, lipid profile, and liver function—were alarming. Everyday tasks like riding a bike or doing chores left him exhausted. “By the time I hit 45 or 46, I could feel my body giving up. I didn’t want to imagine how things would be at 60.”
The health scare combined with the right support system set him on the path to lasting transformation.
Weight Loss Secret: Discipline and Guidance
What worked for Rajiv? A mix of expert guidance, consistency, and community. “Having a coach like Lavesh made all the difference. I also followed posts from Jitendra Chouksey Sir and other FITTR mentors, which kept me motivated and informed.”
He followed a calorie-deficit diet during the initial fat-loss phase and eventually transitioned to a surplus for muscle gain. Strength training was central to his routine. “I actually started looking forward to my early morning workouts. It gave me energy and a sense of accomplishment.”
Words of Wisdom for Others
For anyone considering their own transformation, Rajiv’s advice is simple but powerful: “Get a qualified coach. Don’t try to do it all alone. You need support—not just for diet and fitness, but for your mental well-being too.”
He adds, “Be patient. The first two years of my journey were inconsistent. The real change happened in that one year when I stayed committed.”
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.
