Stop Punishing Your Body (Here's What Actually Works)

The Breaking Point Nobody Talks About

From the Behind the Scenes Podcast with Sapna Sinha

Picture this: You're 75kg (technically healthy weight), but your body is attacking itself. Acid reflux, gut inflammation, dizziness, chest pain. You complete a nutrition diploma but can't even apply it because you're too unwell to help anyone.

That was Piyush's reality.

Why it matters:

Most health journeys start with pain, not motivation. The corporate grind, takeout meals and zero work-life balance aren't just inconvenient—they're dangerous.

Your body will send signals. The question is: will you listen before it's too late?

The Reality Check: Piyush spent 6 months in what he calls the "punishment phase"—cutting sugar, processed foods, everything. His body rejected both healthy AND unhealthy food. That's when he realized: strict doesn't mean sustainable.

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The 80-20 Rule That Actually Works

Most nutritionists will tell you to eat clean 100% of the time. Piyush learned the hard way that doesn't work.

His approach:

80% Nutritious Home-Cooked Meals – Build your foundation with real, whole foods that fuel your body.

20% Flexibility – Enjoy life. Eat outside occasionally. Don't punish yourself.

Why it works:

Sustainability beats perfection every single time. You can't maintain what makes you miserable.

Balance prevents the restrict-binge cycle that destroys most diets.

Flexibility means you can actually live your life while being healthy.

Growth Hack: Start with fixing just your breakfast. Make it protein-rich. That one change sets the tone for your entire day and builds momentum for bigger transformations.

The 12-Hour Fast You're Already Ignoring

Forget complicated intermittent fasting protocols. Piyush recommends something stupidly simple that you're probably already close to doing:

How it works:

• Finish dinner by 7:30-8:00 PM.

• Have breakfast around 8:00 AM.

• That's it. A natural 12-hour fast.

Why it works

Your gut needs rest. When you're constantly eating from morning to midnight, your digestive system never recovers. This simple habit gives your body the repair time it desperately needs.

Growth Hack: Don't just follow this blindly. Listen to your body. If you workout early morning, adjust accordingly. The goal is rest for your gut, not rigid rules.

These three health strategies are how Piyush transformed his life sustainably without extreme diets or burning out. The key? Flexibility, simplicity and listening to your body's signals.

The Creator Behind The Transformation

Now here's where it gets interesting. While healing himself, Piyush started documenting his journey on LinkedIn in basic English. Daily videos. Broken grammar. Zero expectations.

The result?

In 1.5 years of slow, consistent growth (he calls it "turtle speed"), he landed at Rank 7 in Favikon's Top 10 Health & Lifestyle Creators in India.

Why it worked:

• Observation – He paid attention to his surroundings and experiences, turning real-life lessons into relatable content.

• Authenticity – He showed up exactly as he was, flaws and all. No fancy equipment, no perfect grammar.

• Consistency – He kept creating even when he felt "allergic to content creation.

Growth Hack: Your character and intentions matter more than your editing skills. People don't follow perfection—they follow real stories and genuine transformation.

Three Truths Nobody Tells You

1. Stop Following Generic Social Media Advice

Everyone's body is different. What works for influencers might not work for you. Get personalized advice, don't just copy what's trending.

2. Movement Matters More Than You Think

Even 5-10 minutes of walking after meals transforms digestion and energy levels. You don't need a gym membership to start.

3. For Women with PCOD/PCOS

Hormones are complex. Plant-based protein might work better than whey. Piyush learned this while working with 70+ clients, mostly females, navigating hormonal challenges.

One Piece of Advice for Busy Professionals

Don't try to overhaul everything at once. That's where everyone fails.

Instead, focus on two things:

Fix your breakfast – Make it protein-rich

Walk for 5-10 minutes after meals

That's it. Everything else will follow naturally.

These two underrated hacks are how smart people transform their health sustainably without extreme diets or burning out. The key? Start small, build consistency and let momentum do the rest.

Stay Connected

We would love to hear from you! What's your biggest health struggle right now?

Reply to this email with your thoughts, questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes.

Listen to the whole conversation on Spotify or YouTube.

If you also have an awesome journey and wants to share with the world

Connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram

What boundaries have you had to set that made you the "villain" in someone else's story? Hit reply and tell me about your journey to self-advocacy. I read every single response.

Until next time,

Sapna

P.S. Piyush's weird health habit? He was obsessed with besan ki papdi (40 rupees for 2 packets!) while watching Harry Potter marathons. What's YOUR guilty pleasure? Hit reply and let us know! 😄

What's Next for Creator IRL

This is just the beginning. Creator IRL exists to celebrate the builders, the problem-solvers, the dedicated creators who are shaping our world one person at a time.

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If you know someone building something meaningful — not for the gram or the algorithm, but because it matters-we want to hear from them.

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