Siberian Woman Loses 50 kg After Hospital Weight Shame

In the autumn of 2021, Veronika Belousova ended up in intensive care due to COVID-19. The woman weighed 140 kilograms (308 lbs). That«s when the Siberian woman started thinking it was time to change that number, but it took another year and a half to make the final decision. She couldn»t walk 30 meters (98 feet) without sitting down to rest and realized she couldn«t go on living like that. Over two and a half years, she managed to lose about 50 kilograms (110 lbs). She shared her experience with colleagues from NGS.RU.

“I was so ashamed”

In 2021, Novosibirsk resident Veronika Belousova caught COVID-19. The virus hit her weakest spot—her lungs. With total damage to one lung at 100% and the other at 98%, Veronika ended up in intensive care. The medical staff fought desperately for her life, and the Siberian woman herself wasn«t going to give up, but she felt ashamed. She weighed 140 kilograms (308 lbs), and caring for her was very difficult.

“It took three men to move me around in intensive care. I felt so ashamed and bad that they had to struggle so much,” Veronika admitted. “Although I liked myself even at that weight, I simply realized I needed to lose weight for my health.”

But first she had to recover from the illness. She spent almost three weeks in intensive care, and her rehabilitation after the hospital took more than a year. During that time, Veronika studied how the body works, what exactly is best to eat, and understood why exercise alone wouldn«t help.

In mid-2023, the Siberian woman started keeping a food diary and began purposefully losing the weight that had been hovering around the 140-kilogram mark. She welcomed the New Year of 2026 in a stunning dress with a plunging neckline and a new number on the scale: 94 kilograms (207 lbs). Veronika is sure you can get in shape at any age, as long as you have the desire. She already celebrated her 41st birthday at her new weight.

“The formula for weight loss is very simple”

Veronika immediately stipulates that losing weight will be almost impossible if there are serious problems in your life: psychological trauma or a high level of stress. You need to deal with that first. Then, check your thyroid health, consult with a therapist or endocrinologist, and take the basic tests they prescribe.

If there are no diseases that prevent weight loss, you can proceed. Keep in mind that exercise without changing your diet will be almost useless.

“The simplest and only formula for weight loss is: a calorie deficit—you lose weight, a calorie surplus—you gain weight. Provided there are no serious illnesses. There is no third option,” Veronika emphasized. “Don«t fool yourself with things like »it«s my build» or «I have big bones.» Everything starts with acceptance: I«m fat because I eat too much or eat the wrong things.”

She developed a diet: she cut down on carbohydrates and added fiber and protein. She didn«t count calories, gradually reduced her portions, and tried to switch to healthy eating without snacks, sausages, or sweets.

Veronika advises weighing yourself no more than once a week (in the morning on an empty stomach) and definitely keeping a food diary—it«s very important in the first months. You can»t go easy on yourself; you need to write down every cookie or candy—everything that goes into your mouth during the day. Not snacking is one of the most important steps to health. At the same time, it«s important to listen to your body. An apple or banana doesn»t work as a snack for many people, but a persimmon or orange can be a real lifesaver when hunger strikes suddenly.

Over two and a half years, Veronika lost almost 50 kilograms (110 lbs), but now the number on the scale has stalled. The Siberian woman noted that for many, this is a heavy psychological blow, but it«s important to remember: the body can»t lose kilograms constantly. Especially if you add exercise. You need to give it time to adjust, establish processes at the new weight, and after two or three weeks, review your diet and lifestyle again.

Veronika started going to the gym, but her main focus is on walking, and at home she uses a vibration trainer—this helps tighten the skin, gives a good mood, and generally makes the body stronger.

How to eat to lose weight

Veronika Belousova is convinced: the most important thing about food is that it should be comfortable and tasty. You don«t have to keep yourself within some generally accepted framework and eat only boiled chicken breast with cucumber. At the same time, she prefers fiber and protein and has greatly reduced carbohydrates and sugar.

She also recommended choosing two plates: a small deep one for soups and a beautiful flat one on which, if desired, you could serve a dish as if in a restaurant.

“It«s very important to eat with a fork, without hurrying. When you put food in your mouth and are chewing, put the fork down on the table or at least don»t load the next bite onto it immediately—this way you«ll eat slower,” Veronika added. “Taste buds are on the tongue, and as soon as you swallow the food, it becomes fuel and energy, not taste.”

She was shocked when she saw in her diary how much extra she was eating during the day: spoons while tasting food during cooking, snacks, something sweet with tea, sandwiches—all this not only maintains weight but rapidly increases it.

Veronika also noted that you need to be prepared for sweating, especially in the first months when water will be actively leaving your body.

“Losing two to three kilograms (4–7 lbs) a month is already an excellent result. Don«t rush. The kilograms piled up over years, now you need to lose them slowly so they don»t come back,” the Siberian woman said.

Among the things to completely eliminate, at least for the first two to six months, is alcohol. It retains water and stimulates overeating.

“You can eat everything. Yes, absolutely everything. But preferably, in the first two months, reduce (or better, eliminate) the consumption of sugar, flour products, cereals, and other carbohydrates. A sudden refusal of favorite foods will lead to breakdowns and binge eating—eat «forbidden» foods only in the first half of the day and in small amounts to curb the «craving»,” advised Veronika.

She allowed herself a marshmallow with tea, Turkish delight with coffee, and even chocolate—it«s important not to combine protein and a large amount of carbohydrates. A lot of protein? Add fiber. Instead of mashed potatoes with a cutlet, it»s better to cut up some vegetables and add herbs.

Change your attitude to food

Veronika urges everyone to always try to serve dishes nicely and not grab food on the go. You«ll also have to get rid of a number of habits instilled by the older generation.

“At first, it will be difficult to eat slowly. Don«t pounce on the dish, chew, feeling the flavor palette. Many will be very surprised that they will feel full in the middle of the meal. If you feel that, stop. Forget how we were taught as children that the plate must be empty after eating,” urged Veronika Belousova.

No one argues that throwing away food is not the best solution. Food can be stored in containers, or you can cook less next time. Overeating is one of the main causes of excess weight.

The most important thing is to return food to its function: it«s fuel, energy, to live. Food should not be a reward or a way to eat away stress, to console yourself, or to get through a difficult time.

“We eat to live, not live to eat,” emphasized Veronika. “At the same time, you don«t need to torture yourself. If you feel strong hunger, then eat a vegetable salad or something protein. Citrus fruits help many. I saved myself from hunger with a couple of pomelo slices.”

Veronika doesn«t set herself the goal of reaching a specific number on the scale. Health and comfort are paramount.

“I want to enjoy myself. To go into stores and buy a human size. Before, I had eight to eleven XL—now I«m a completely different person. I»m very happy,” assured the Siberian woman.

She believes that anyone can lose extra kilograms if they truly want to. The main thing is not to despair and to fight persistently for your health.

Earlier we told the story of a pediatric surgeon who lost 50 kilograms (110 lbs).