Aman Sehrawat sheds 4.6 kg in 10 hours before Olympic bronze win: An expert decodes the measures

After Vinesh Phogat failed to meet her weigh-in requirement at the Paris Olympics 2024 by a mere 100 grams, India’s wrestling coaching team took no chances with Aman Sehrawat, who needed to shed 4.5 kg of body weight in 10 hours to qualify for his 57 kg bronze bout against Puerto Rico’s Darian Cruz. Sehrawat dropped 4.6 kg following an intense regimen, according to a PTI report.

How did he do it?

What are the effects of such measures?

Dr Bhavana P, chief dietitian, Gleneagles Hospital, Lakdi Ka Pul, Hyderabad decoded the effects of such measures on health.

Dr Bhavana said efforts like drinking lemon water with honey, sipping coffee, jogging, running, or weight lifting may offer some short-term effects, but they are not effective for significant overnight weight loss. “Lemon water with honey is often praised for its detoxifying effects, but its primary benefit is hydration, which can help slightly reduce water retention. Coffee, as a diuretic, can temporarily decrease water weight and mildly boost metabolism, though any weight loss is minimal and mainly due to water loss. However, individuals with gastrointestinal issues should be cautious with excessive caffeine or lemon juice, as these may exacerbate their symptoms,” said Dr Bhavana.

Aman Sehrawat sipped on lemon and honey (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Jogging, running, and weight lifting can help burn calories and contribute to fat loss over time. “However, the weight lost from a single session is mostly from water through sweat, not fat. Additionally, exercise boosts metabolism, but meaningful fat loss requires consistent effort over weeks or months, not just a single night,” said Dr Bhavana.

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No single food can cause weight loss on its own. “Achieving weight loss requires a combination of a healthy diet, regular exercise, and a balanced lifestyle, but it cannot happen overnight. Attempting to lose significant weight can be harmful. Healthy, sustainable weight loss is achieved through a combination of regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and lifestyle changes over time. Quick fixes or extreme methods can lead to dehydration, muscle loss, and other health issues without achieving lasting results,” said Dr Bhavana.