From XXXL to Medium: How a 43-year-old fought postnatal depression with daily exercises and determination

The 43-year-old Darshana Shukul transformed her life from XXXL despair to marathon finishes, proving fitness heals both body and mind.

In 2021, a casual push from her husband was the catalyst for change for a 43-year-old Darshana Shukul, a Corporate Communications professional, who had been fighting weight and postpartum depression. “Please join the gym on the other lane. That is all you need,” he said, handing her his credit card.

What started as a reluctant trip to Reform Fitness has since blossomed into a four-year love affair with workouts, discipline and self-discovery.

The Turning Point

Back then the weighing machine glared with that dreadful figure of 90 kgs. Even clothing in XXXL was now not comfortable and shopping trips were painful reminders of Darshana’s condition. The swelling in her left leg from standing for half an hour was making it increasingly impossible to carry on with daily life.

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She had been wavering and finally responded to a follow-up message from the gym with a pledge to join “tomorrow.” That “tomorrow” was the first day of her transformation journey.

Fitness as Therapy

With the help of her mentor, Aman Soni, a fitness coach, she took refuge in what she affectionately refers to as her second home — the gym. Aman’s army-like discipline was stretching her beyond what she was used to. She replaced junk food with mindful eating and was surprised to find that, little by little, the kilos started melting off.

But this journey did not end with lifting dumbbells or suffering dreaded burpees. Aman prodded her along into becoming a runner and cyclist instead. His dare — “You lost the weight, you finish running.” — would prove the impetus of her next breakthrough.

From Reluctance to Routine

For a former over sleeper, getting up early for runs had seemed unfathomable. But within two years she was running regularly and had completed several 10km marathons. After each race, she was closer still to what she calls a “meditative state,” in which she found resilience and strength that she didn’t know existed.

"My meditation is walking at the gym or going for a run",  she says. "This is where I meet parts of me that would have otherwise been hidden", she adds.

Inspiring a Community

Her narrative is not one of weight loss — it’s a story of recovery. She no longer suffers the leg pain that used to keep her up at night. Postpartum depression, that terrible shadow — a dead hand on the heart and brain —has been lifted to reveal energy, confidence and purpose.

Her mantra? Consistency. “If you can move for 56 days in a row, nothing is stopping you from being fit and happy,” she remembers her mentor telling her.

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Now, after inspiring at least 10 women in her neighbourhood to start their own fitness journeys, she knows that transformation is within reach for anyone.

“All I can say is lace up, buck the hell up and let’s go. Go get some of the sunshine — that is where real transformation starts,” she says emphatically.

From XXXL isn’t cool to comfort in the medium, from agony to empowerment, her story has one clear message: Fitness is not just about the body, but is also a workout for your mind and spirit.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.