By Manish Kumar Pandey
“Papa, you go to the gym and lift heavy weights. Why don’t you have abs?”
That single question from my 7-year-old son wasn’t just innocent curiosity. For me, it was a moment of reflection—a mirror held up by a child. I smiled and told him, “Abs are for weak people, I train to stay strong.” But the truth? That was just my way of deflecting.
Because deep inside, I knew—I had been avoiding my own potential. My name is Manish Kumar Pandey, a 40-year-old insurance broker, a husband, and a proud father of two amazing boys aged 7 and 2. And this is the story of how that one question sparked a real transformation.
My fitness journey began young—back in class 8. At that time, staying active was natural. I was into sports, enjoyed working out, and had no big goals beyond enjoying the movement.
But as the years passed, life took over.
Deadlines, clients, career growth, responsibilities, and family life pushed fitness down my priority list.
Yes, I was still working out—but it was just going through the motions. There was no direction, no accountability, and no specific goal.
Eight months ago, I went for my annual health checkup. And let’s just say the results weren’t ideal. All major health markers—lipid profile, blood pressure, blood sugar—were inching towards the “borderline” zone. Not dangerously high, but not great either.
It hit me hard. I wasn’t unhealthy, but I wasn’t healthy either.
I was stuck in the “average zone”:
I realized I was just existing, not living at full potential. And I knew—I owed it to my family, especially my sons, to do better.
As someone who helps people secure their future through insurance, I understand the value of expert advice. That’s why I reached out to Coach Lalit Gulati from FITTR. Because just like financial planning, fitness needs a guide, a structure, and accountability.
Lalit didn’t bombard me with strict rules or fancy diets. He started with understanding. My lifestyle, my work hours, my sleep pattern, my stress levels—all were considered before he laid out a simple and sustainable fitness plan.
Here’s what changed in my journey with Coach Lalit:
No crash diets. No magic supplements. Just mindful eating, balanced macros, and portion control. The focus was on nourishment, not restriction.
As a busy professional, I didn’t have 2 hours to spend at the gym. But with Lalit’s guidance, I started making the most out of 45–60 minutes, 5 days a week. Consistency mattered more than intensity.
We worked on improving my sleep, hydration, stress levels, and activity throughout the day. It was not just a workout plan; it was a lifestyle upgrade.
My son has been my biggest cheerleader and motivator. He checks my abs daily and now tells me, “Papa, your abs are good, but legs thodi aur strong karni chahiye.”
He even joins me in the gym twice a week. I’m not just getting fitter—I’m building memories with him.
Yes, the abs are visible now. But this journey is about so much more:
This transformation is not an endpoint. It’s just a mid-way milestone. And I’m excited to see where I can go from here.
If you’re reading this and relate to any part of my story—here’s what I want to say to you:
Your age, your job, your family duties—they’re not barriers. They are reasons to take care of your health, not excuses to ignore it.
Just like you wouldn’t buy insurance from a random source, don’t trust random fitness advice. Hire a certified, empathetic coach who understands you.
Even showing up with 20% energy on bad days is better than giving up. The key is not perfection—but consistency.
Let your kids see your process. Let them be part of it. They’ll not just support you—they’ll learn life lessons from you.
Coach Lalit Gulati (FITTR) has been instrumental in my transformation. He’s not just a guide—he’s a motivator, a problem-solver, and a friend. He answers every question (even the silly ones) with patience and science-backed clarity.
His biggest strength? He makes fitness simple and achievable.
As an insurance broker, I help people plan for uncertain futures. But I realized that health is the most certain investment I can make—for myself and my family.
So why do I need abs?
Because they represent:
#FitAfter40 #FitnessWithKids #FITTRTransformation #CoachLalit #IndianDadFitness #MidlifeAbs #AbsNotExcuses #RealLifeTransformation
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