How did Shehnaaz Gill lose 12 kgs in 6 months? Actress said she didn't starve or exercise. Her secret? 'Avoid variety'

Economic Times

19-07-2025

Synopsis
Shehnaaz Gill, known from Bigg Boss 13, utilized the COVID-19 lockdown for self-improvement, shedding 12 kg in six months through balanced eating and portion control. Guided by principles shared with Shilpa Shetty, her diet included turmeric water, plant-based proteins, and simple dinners. Gill celebrated her fitness journey by purchasing a Mercedes-Benz, showcasing her dedication and hard work.
Agencies Shehnaz Gill lost over 12 kgs in less than a year Shehnaaz Gill first captured widespread attention as a charismatic contestant on the reality television series Bigg Boss 13, where her candid personality and infectious energy quickly endeared her to viewers.As the COVID-19 shutdown brought the entertainment industry to a standstill, the Punjabi-born actor-singer seized the moment to focus inward. Rather than succumb to the pressures of body criticism she had previously endured in showbiz—an experience she has openly discussed—Gill reimagined the quarantine as an opportunity for self-improvement.
Refusing to chase fleeting diet fads or engage in punishing workout regimens, she relied on measured adjustments to daily habits. Over a span of six months, Gill shed a total of 12 kilograms—moving from 67 kg down to 55 kg—by embracing moderation and consistency in her eating patterns.In a detailed conversation with Shilpa Shetty for Times Foodie, Gill outlined the foundational principles that underpinned her transformation: balance in meal composition, vigilant portion sizing, and an emphasis on mindful consumption.Each morning began with a warming beverage: water infused with turmeric and apple cider vinegar, designed to gently awaken her metabolism and support digestive health.Her first substantial meal of the day centered on plant-based proteins and traditional Indian staples. Common options included sprouted green gram, homemade dosa, or fenugreek flatbreads—dishes chosen for their nutrient density and sustained energy release.Come lunchtime, Gill typically allowed herself one entire whole-wheat roti alongside a serving of lentils (dal), a tofu-based scramble, assorted seasonal vegetables, and a modest spoonful of ghee to introduce beneficial fats. A fresh sprouts salad rounded out the plate.By early evening, when hunger pangs emerged, she reached for roasted makhana (fox nuts), a low-calorie snack prized for its satisfying crunch and fiber content.Dinner remained deliberately sparse: a bowl of clear soup or lightly sautéed vegetables sufficed to close her daily intake on a gentle note.Speaking later with ET Times, Gill emphasized that she rarely varied her menu items from one meal to the next. If lentils and green gram appeared for lunch, they formed the entire dinner repertoire as well. She also halved the portions she believed she 'needed,' choosing one roti instead of two, for instance. This strict curtailment of quantity—rather than diversity—proved the linchpin of her weight-loss success, achieved without any structured exercise routine.
"Every day, I ate just one or two things. I wouldn't stuff too much variety in my daily consumption of food. For example, if I ate dal and moong for lunch, I would eat the same for dinner. And I reduced the portions. If I were hungry for two rotis, I ate only one... I lost 12 kg in less than 6 months, but without doing any exercise. Just my restricted food consumption did the trick," she said. Shortly after reaching her fitness goals, the actress marked another personal triumph: in February, she acquired a Mercedes-Benz GLS. Sharing a celebratory photograph on Instagram, she reflected on her journey from aspiration to accomplishment and expressed gratitude for her 'hard work now on four wheels' . Her caption read, "From dreams to driveways. My hard work now has four wheels. Feeling truly blessed! Waheguru tera shukar aa." Through a measured blend of dietary simplicity, consistency in portions, and mental resilience in the face of criticism, Shehnaaz Gill's six-month health overhaul stands as a testament to the power of modest, sustainable change.