'Mistook heartburn for heart attack': How Housing.com CEO lost 71 kg in 2 years

Produced by: BT Desk

Health scare

Housing.com CEO Dhruv Agarwala in an interview to South China Morning Post revealed how a health scare made him lose 71 kg in just two years.

Heartburn or heart attack?

In 2021, he mistook heartburn for a heart attack. He weighed 151.7 kg, was pre-diabetic, suffered from high cholesterol and high BP.

12,000 steps a day

Strength-training sessions thrice a week, 12,000 steps a day. 'I was walking a lot, from running errands to helping around the house," said Agarwala.

Diet control

He cut his daily calorie intake to 1,700 calories. Did portion control, cut out alcohol, processed and fried foods completely, and added protein to all the meals.

Lunch details

200-300ml portion of dal, 150 to 180 grams of cooked vegetables, and besan roti, dinner was mostly celery or asparagus soup with grilled chicken or fish. He also relied on healthy snacks such as nuts, carrots, cucumbers and yoghurt.

Running and swimming

After four months, he lost 20kg. He then took up running and swimming in 2023 to lose more.

His advice

Agarwala says ask yourself if you want it badly enough, and to measure the process and the progress.