From PCOD To Self-Discovery: Gunjan's Inspiring Journey On Body Positivity

“Are you sure you want to eat that?”, “You'd be so much prettier if you lost weight.'' In a world that often imposes rigid beauty standards, especially on women, Gunjan's journey from battling PCOD to embracing self-discovery and body positivity stands as a testament to resilience and strength. Her story marks determination, self-reflection, and a celebration of individuality, serving as an inspiring narrative in the realm of body positivity.

“I would rather not go to such a website instead of thinking that I don’t have a good body.”

Gunjan confidently declares her love for her body and refuses to conform to society's unrealistic beauty standards. She said “I’m secure in my body. I love my body. If I’m scrolling through a website and I don’t find clothes in my size, I don't sit and cry about it.”  Her journey began when she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOD) at 12, leading to a pause in her sports activities due to continuous six-month bleeding. Despite these challenges, Gunjan's determination remained strong.

“I was bleeding every day for 6 months and I couldn’t wrap my head around that”

Initially into various activities like basketball, football, martial arts and even belle dancing, Gunjan, with the physical and emotional toll, had to put a pause on her passion for sports and other activities. “I would wear 2 pads for my school exams only to come back home with a stained skirt,” she says. Not only this finding a correct doctor for herself was also a task for her since most of them would be insensitive about her situation and judge her body.

“One of my relatives asked me to not attend a family function because I was too fat”

Gunjan’s journey was not without its share of hardships. One of her relatives even said “Ye adrak jaise phail rahi hai” which meant she was growing like a ginger. These insensitive comments about her weight added to her struggles.   “They’d tell me not to wear short clothes because then people would stare at my boobs and that no one would love me for who I was.” Gunjan shed light on the judgement she faced. When one of her relatives tried to body-shame her and asked her not to come to an event, at such time Gunjan's mother stood by her and emerged as her support system. 

“My mother is my rock!”

Discussing how her mother's affirmations and encouragement helped her navigate through the storm of societal expectations, Gunjan's story highlights the significance of a strong support network. Her boyfriend, who has been by her side since 2016, played a crucial role in boosting her self-esteem. Despite the physical changes in her body, transitioning from medium to large sizes, he continued to motivate and appreciate her. Gunjan's tale exemplifies the transformative impact of positive relationships on mental well-being.

“I would get to look at my old pictures and would feel the need to look slimmer. I even stopped going out.”

Despite the challenges, Gunjan's determination remained unbroken until it did! 

Not fighting in her older clothes and seeing so many changes her body was going through, Gunjan started questioning herself and her looks. She would feel the need to look slimmer and hence she underwent a crash diet. “ I told my mom that from now on I would not have any food and just survive on water. I would sleep at 8:00 at night to avoid dinner and then wake up at 2:00 the next day only so I can skip breakfast as well,” she said. Gunjan's story is a cautionary tale against the detrimental effects of unhealthy beauty practices.

“I have often liked removing myself from social media or turning my account private”

In the realm of social media, where negativity often lurks in the form of harsh comments and unsolicited advice, Gunjan encountered a fair share of critics, including dietitians and health experts. “Once I posted a picture in a cafe with food on my table and people commented saying that I shouldn’t eat so much and I was like it’s my money and I choose to do whatever with it” Gunjan expressed her anger. Although she loses her calm she consciously chooses to not demean people. She recognises that these are faceless individuals with their own opinions, and some nonsensical people commenting cow emojis on her pictures wouldn't be the reason that she quits.

“To any person who’s struggling with body image issues, I would not give them any advice as such. I would just let them be.”

Gunjan suggests individuals take time with themselves and find moments of self-reflection. “I love spending time with myself. I would often turn on my fairy lights, have my favourite meal and watch my comfort show to unwind." she shares as she discovered the essence of self-love through a ritual of offering heartfelt compliments to her reflection in the mirror. This practice served her as a daily affirmation and helped her build a positive relationship with herself. “Please prioritise your bedtime” Amidst the hustle of daily life, Gunjan shares how the simplicity of an early bedtime impacts the quality of sleep on both your physical and mental well-being.

*This article is published in collaboration with L'Oréal Paris*