Da Nang woman loses 25 kg after doctor's warning

Her appearance, described as "four times" larger than her friends, job rejections, and declining health compelled Nguyen Thi Tuong Vi to adopt strict discipline, leading to a 25 kg weight loss in six months.

On 7/6, Nguyen Thi Tuong Vi walked down the aisle in a fitted wedding dress. At 26, she boasts a slender figure, standing 1,64 m tall and weighing 60 kg. This confident image is a stark contrast to her life three years prior.

Uncontrolled eating habits led to a 15 kg weight gain in just three months, reaching nearly 80 kg. "The weight concentrated around my thighs, affecting my gait. For two years living with an oversized body, I constantly felt tired and sluggish," Vi recalled.

Only when taking photos with others did Vi realize her weight was alarming. *Photo: Courtesy of subject*

The consequences extended beyond physical discomfort. Vi faced repeated job rejections due to her appearance, with recruiters prioritizing candidates with pleasant looks. A pivotal moment came during an outing when a group photo revealed her figure appeared four times larger than her friends'. Simultaneously, her gynecologist delivered a critical warning: prolonged obesity would severely impact her fertility if she did not make changes. This convergence of health, social, and personal concerns spurred her decision to act.

In 5/2025, Vi embarked on a transformation journey, opting for a method free of medication or extreme approaches. She chose a calorie deficit combined with regular exercise, a principle supported by over 30 composite studies from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

A calorie deficit occurs when the body expends more calories than it consumes in a day. For example, if your body burns 2,000 calories daily but you only eat 1,500 calories, you have a deficit of 500 calories. The body then draws the missing energy from stored fat, leading to weight loss. This fundamental principle, often summarized as "calories in, calories out", is widely proven. Studies indicate that maintaining a 500-calorie deficit daily can lead to a sustainable weight loss of 0,2 to 0,9 kg per week.

Following this method, Vi engaged in resistance training, weights, cardio, swimming, and walking from monday to saturday. Her diet was equally disciplined: breakfast consisted of boiled sweet potatoes or corn, while main meals featured lean proteins like chicken breast, seafood, beef, and green vegetables. Fried foods, snacks, and seasonings were entirely removed.

In the first month, Vi lost 7 kg. However, the subsequent months presented a real challenge. She recalled mornings stepping on the scale with no change, and intense cravings from her bland diet. To avoid giving up, she incorporated one to two "cheat days" monthly and recorded her weight daily.

After successful weight loss, Vi became more confident and optimistic. *Video: Thuy An*

"Even losing just 100 grams was a huge motivation to keep going," Vi stated. When meeting friends, she intentionally scheduled it on her cheat day, opting for unsweetened juice or plain water during coffee outings.

By 1/2026, after eight months, Vi reached 60 kg, successfully losing 25 kg. Research from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicates that combining calorie control with regular exercise increases weight loss effectiveness by over 20% compared to dieting alone. For Vi, this achievement extended beyond the numbers on the scale. Her periods became regular, her fatty liver was controlled, and she experienced improved sleep and posture.

"When I changed, the world around me also changed. People looked at me with more kindness, no longer with whispers or sympathetic glances as before," Vi said.

Currently, Vi continues to exercise regularly and aims to lose a few more kilograms. Crucially, her mindset has undergone a significant shift. She no longer counts every calorie or declines all social invitations. She has learned to control her body without letting it control her.