26 from Pune. I've been trying to lose weight for months, but it's been a real struggle. Even though I've cut down on rice, sweets, and fried food, the numbers on the scale hardly move. Some people say it's because I'm not eating enough, others say I should avoid carbs completely. I don't even know what's right anymore. Is there a healthy way to lose weight without feeling tired and hungry all the time? And how do I know if my metabolism has actually slowed down?

Ans: I understand how you feel stuck when the scale doesn’t move despite cutting back on obvious “problem foods.” Healthy weight loss isn’t about eliminating entire food groups or starving yourself. It’s about creating a sustainable calorie balance, protecting your metabolism, and finding the right mix of food, movement, and lifestyle. Cutting rice, sweets, and fried food helps, but if overall calories are still high (large portions, hidden oils, snacks), weight loss stalls. Eating too little can backfire — your body adapts by slowing energy expenditure, making fat loss harder. If you’re not eating enough protein or doing strength training, you may lose muscle, which lowers metabolism. A healthy way to lose weight is by adapting to a balanced, protein-rich diet with controlled portions, strength training, good sleep, and stress management without feeling tired or deprived.