You know that moment when your mirror doesn’t lie, but you wish it would? For Naveena Muhilan, a certified fitness and PN1 Nutrition Coach, and a fitness influencer, now dripping with strength and quiet swagger, that moment came—not with fireworks or drama—but in the quiet chaos of the pandemic. “I’ve been trying to lose weight for over a decade,” she says. “Ever since childhood. I’ve always loved dressing up, but I never felt confident in how I looked.” And then, locked indoors with time to reflect and no more excuses to hide behind, she started moving—not to transform, but to survive. “At first, I was just working out to avoid gaining more weight. But something shifted. That small, daily effort gave me a sense of control I never had before.”

That’s the part no one really talks about: the messy, unglamorous start. No grand plan. Just a decision to show up.

From chasing numbers to chasing strength, Naveena’s mindset did a complete 180. “In the beginning, all I cared about was the scale. That number haunted me,” she admits. “But now? I’m not chasing skinny. I’m chasing strong.” This wasn’t just a body transformation—it was a mindset overhaul. And that’s where the real glow-up begins.

Let’s be real: food is the battlefield for most of us. And with Naveena’s self-confessed sweet tooth, it wasn’t easy. “I used to restrict myself in the name of dieting. No sugar, bland meals—
it was miserable. But I realised, unless you’re a competitive athlete, there’s no need to live like that.” Her golden rule? The 80/20 lifestyle. “I eat clean most of the time, but I still enjoy chocolate, desserts… just in moderation. That’s how you make it sustainable.”

But here’s the thing about weight loss: it’s never just about the weight. “My self-esteem was in the gutter. I hated my arms, never wore sleeveless tops. Now I wear what I want. My posture has improved. I walk taller. I feel like I own my space.” That shift from shrinking herself to showing up is where the magic lies.