Real Life Weight Loss: From 127 Kilos And Barely Walking To Boxing, Dancing And Thriving At 48 (Image Credits: Venki Jayaraman)
Losing weight isn’t easy—especially after 40. The body slows down, metabolism dips, and busy schedules often take over fitness goals. Add to that health complications, long work hours, and family responsibilities, and the idea of transformation can feel almost impossible. But for Venki Jayaraman, a 48-year-old Group Director at Walmart, it was just the beginning of a powerful comeback.
From fighting latent TB and COVID complications to dropping 40 kilos over two years, Venki’s journey shows that with consistency, support, and the right mindset, age is truly just a number.
“I had always been a fit person thanks to my background in cricket,” Venki begins. “But things changed drastically in 2020,” he said in an exclusive interview with Times Now.
It started with a diagnosis of latent TB, which required long-term steroid medication. Then came COVID. The illness hit Venki hard—not once but twice. Steroids became part of his routine again, and physical activity fell by the wayside. By May 2022, the scale showed a staggering 127 kilograms. Even walking left him breathless.
That’s when life threw him a lifeline—his sister-in-law. “She dragged me to Cult,” he shares, recalling his first day at Cult EC. “And that’s where everything started.”
Finding His Calling
What began as a reluctant visit turned into a habit. Then an addiction. “At first, I was doing two or three classes a week. But soon I was doing 12 to 15 classes every week. I absolutely loved the class format and how it made me feel,” Venki said.
Venki credits a large part of his transformation to the Cult coaches who kept him going. “Udith, Isamil, Raj, Raj from dance, Rishab, Manoj, and Manju—they’ve all played such a big role. Their energy, commitment, and genuine care made it easy to show up,” he said.
How Long Did Transformation Take?
It took him two years, but Venki gradually and consistently dropped the kilos. From 127 kgs in 2022, he’s now at 87 kgs. “I never focused only on the weight. It was always about how I felt—my mood, energy, and strength. And everything changed, Venki shares.”
But the road wasn’t easy. Between managing a demanding job—leading over a thousand people at Walmart—and family commitments, finding time was a challenge.
“Discipline was the toughest part,” Venki says. “That, and time. Being in a leadership role doesn’t leave you with much. But I made a decision. I had to find that time—for myself.”
What Kept You Motivated?
If you ask Venki what kept him going, he’ll tell you it was his gang. “It started with friends like Ranjan, Basava, Kapil, and Neha. We formed a little crew. Later, my wife joined HRX and Strength & Conditioning in 2024. Before that, she was more into dance and yoga.”
But the biggest surprise came from his daughter. “When she turned 18, she joined boxing and HRX. Now she’s more passionate about fitness than I am! Our dinner table conversations are no longer about work or studies—they’re about squats, boxing drills, and gym playlists.”
Venki’s gang only grew from there—Ravi, Anil, Deepa, Shiva, Pallav, Suman, and many more. “We have so much fun. That’s the real motivation.”
A Lifestyle That Made Transformation Happen
Venki’s mornings now start early. Very early. “I begin with a coffee and hit the gym between 6 to 9 AM, depending on the day. I usually do two back-to-back classes. After that, it’s whey protein with nuts and seeds.”
Being a vegetarian hasn’t held him back either. His meals are simple but balanced—rice, dal, roti, paneer, tofu, and a variety of veggies.
His workout routine includes strength training twice a week, along with yoga, dance, and boxing sprinkled in for variety. “I make sure to train every muscle group at least once or twice a week. Variety keeps me from burning out.”
Advice For Others
For anyone on a similar path, Venki has three pieces of advice:
- Show up: “No matter what. Don’t let work, late nights, or excuses stop you. The first step is just being there.”
A Whole New Life
Today, Venki is not only 40kg lighter but also lighter in spirit. “I don’t feel tired anymore. I’m energetic, I laugh more, and I spend real quality time with my family—especially my daughter. We bond over workouts, discuss fitness goals, it’s something I never imagined.”
He says the biggest win isn’t the transformation in the mirror—it’s how he feels inside. “CULT didn’t just make me look better—it made me feel better. And that, I think, is what really matters.”