Akshay Sawant: My life-changing experience at FFD
- Name- Mr. Akshay Sawant
- Age- 51 years
- Profession- Project Manager
- Place - London, UK
One needs to listen to his heart. The heart is never wrong. For a number of years even before my diabetes was diagnosed (in 2012), there was always the feeling that something wasn't quite right with the body.
However, I never paid too much attention to it. I was enjoying food and drink like many others in my company. I lived in Delhi till I was 19 and in 1989 I moved to Russia for my Engineering studies.
I worked and lived in various countries like South Korea and UAE till I finally settled in the U.K.Although settled, my job still required me to travel for long periods to Project Construction sites.
In 2009, I embarked on a project in Russia, an opportunity that I had yearned for. This was an opportunity to give back to Russia in appreciation of what I had gained from her - Engineering and a great Life Education.
The project though was very stressful, I was totally committed to its success, and did not stop to rest. For nearly 3 years, I traveled on an average of 3 weeks every month.
In 2012, when the project was coming to an end, I could feel something was not right with the body. In May 2012, I returned home to the UK and got myself checked for an upset stomach.
After numerous medications for indigestion and other tests, I was finally diagnosed as Type 2 Diabetic in October 2012. My HbA1c was 10.3. I remember my initial reaction was negative. I was sad, depressed, could not believe it as despite poor eating, I was still very active with sports and yoga.
After a couple of weeks, I started following tips provided by Baba Ramdev and within 6 months, my HbA1c came down to 55 (7.2). My GP was very surprised and asked to continue with the Diet and Exercise, but over time, I could not sustain with that diet and exercise plan.
In Jan 2015, my GP advised me to start Metformin 2x2 every day and by mid-2018, started on Sitagliptin due to fluctuating sugar levels. In March 2020, as Covid happened, I started working from home.
Over the months of lockdown, I found myself eating (snacking) more while being at home, exercising less, and therefore gaining weight to 84 kg. In October 2020, HbA1c had gone up to 63 (7.9).
Mr.Akshay Sawant
I then decided that something proper needs to be done about this. I was exercising for 2 hours every day (mainly cardio), but my weight was not reduced at all!
I then realized that I was doing something wrong. I started researching diet programs on the internet and eventually came across the Fasting video from Dr. Pramod Tripathi on Youtube. After watching the video, I tried fasting and found that I could actually do it and it made me feel better.
I firmly believe that everything happens when it is meant to happen, not early, not late. I then joined the FFD Batch 66 and the rest, as they say, is history.
All the protocols and phases designed by FFD are terrific. The lockdown in the UK helped greatly in managing the diet, giving me time to prepare the smoothies, cook the dishes, exercising.
My weight which was previously constant at 84 kg started coming down from the first day of the diet and Dr. Saloni started reducing my medicines from the first week itself.
On 30th Jan (an auspicious day for me as it is my mother's birthday), I became free from medicines, 30 days after starting the program. Measuring the BSL, BP & Weight regularly made progress visible but also provided assurance that everything was fine.
I felt very positive about the diet and life in general. The energy of the Whatsapp group was also very catching. The Whatsapp Admins provided timely and valuable support and motivation to keep us going with the diet.
Inner Transformation also helped me immensely. It helped me gain mental strength that helps motivate me to do exercise, continue with the correct diet, push the boundary especially when doing stamina work and avoid harmful foods.
GTT preparation was the next challenge. The Holistic Transformation Program (HTP) is designed so well that every time the motivation starts reducing there is a new challenge around the corner. I was able to pass all the steps during the 12-week preparation except the last one.
The 75 g Glucose test took 3 times before I could pass it. The will and the intention and the resultant energy flow helped me overcome this challenge as well albeit at home. I have not been able to arrange a Lab test yet in the UK but will do so in the future.
Getting towards the end of the program, I felt an overwhelming urge to give back after gaining so much over the last year. The Mentors Program seemed like the perfect vehicle for doing this. I am taking great pleasure in helping the Mentees start on their journeys.
Furthermore, all this mind work has given me more clarity in terms of my career as well. I cannot thank FFD enough for providing such a life-changing experience.
Also, it makes me immensely proud that this initiative has been initiated in India by us Indians, using our traditional practices and values of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Dhyan. May the light shine on the rest of the world and we can help improve the lives of millions of affected people. Om.
