‘At 18, Overweight and Unable to Run for Thirty Seconds’: Sonakshi Sinha Reveals the Workout That Helped Her Lose 30 Kg

Weight loss journeys often appear glamorous from afar, but the emotional battles, discipline, and setbacks rarely make it into the spotlight. Actor Sonakshi Sinha knows these struggles well. While promoting her Telugu film Jatadhara on Bharti Singh and Harsh Limbachiya’s podcast, she opened up about her early years, her relationship with food, and the life-changing moment that pushed her toward fitness.

Growing Up Overweight: Sonakshi’s Honest Admission

Sonakshi shared that her fitness transformation was never meant for films or glamour.
“It wasn’t a ‘Bollywood-ready’ makeover. I didn’t do it for vanity or acting,” she said, adding that her motivation came from a desire to live healthier, not look a certain way.

She revealed she had been a “chubby child” all her life—“overweight since bachpan”—and rarely thought about fitness until a moment of reckoning at the age of 18.

She recalled stepping onto a treadmill and realising she couldn’t run for even thirty seconds. The experience left her shaken. It was then that she decided she no longer wanted to live an unhealthy life.

How Sonakshi Lost 30 Kg in 2.5 Years

Sonakshi began her fitness journey during college. The process was slow, consistent, and far from glamorous. Over 2.5 years, she experimented with several forms of exercise—yoga, cardio, strength training, and regular gym workouts.

But only one workout form truly transformed her body and mindset.

Pilates: The Workout That Changed Everything

Sonakshi revealed that Pilates became the turning point in her transformation. She said the workout suited her body “exceptionally well” and kept her engaged because of the endless variety.

With “thousands of exercises” available on the equipment, she never felt bored or fatigued by repetition. The full-body engagement, flexibility training, and steady challenge helped her remain consistent—a factor she believes is the real secret behind her results.

Her discipline paid off. Sonakshi eventually shed 30 kg, dropping from 95 kg to 65 kg.

Maintaining the Weight: A Lifelong Commitment

Even after the transformation, the actor admits that maintaining her weight is just as difficult—especially because she loves food. However, she has always maintained a healthy relationship with her body.

Beyond size or numbers, she said her goal is to inspire young girls to focus on their wellbeing instead of comparisons.
Her message is clear: “Just be healthy.”

On the Work Front

Sonakshi Sinha recently made her big Telugu film debut with Jatadhara, starring alongside Sudheer Babu and Divya Khossla. The film released in theatres on November 7, 2025.