A personal health battle can be a pivotal moment for a lot of people. It marked the start of a completely new chapter for Disha Makkar.
Disha, a homemaker and mother of two, battled PCOD, irregular menstrual periods, hormonal fluctuations, and the emotional toll these took on her self-esteem for years. She eventually turned to nutrition and, at the age of 41, a new professional identity as a result of what started out as an attempt to better understand her own body.
As a 43-year-old working dietitian and NSDC-certified nutritionist, Disha continues to develop a career motivated by her own metamorphosis while assisting others in making healthier decisions.
A Personal Struggle That Changed Her Direction
Disha had learned to deal with PCOD after years of experiencing irregular menstrual cycles. But after getting pregnant and having two kids, controlling her cycle got harder.
She eventually needed to take medicine to control her periods. She started to notice other hormonal and physical changes, such as blemishes and changes in her body, even if it helped with the acute issue.
Over time, the effects extended beyond physical well-being. Disha’s confidence started to decline as she grew more self-conscious.
She made the decision to study more about her body rather than keep treating the symptoms without realizing how they were related to her way of life.
Learning About Nutrition Became the First Step
Disha started looking at the connection between hormonal health and lifestyle choices and diet. She began incorporating what she had learned into her daily routine, tracking her body’s reaction and making little adjustments over time.
There wasn’t a sudden change. Years of education, trial and error, perseverance, and a greater awareness of her own needs were all part of her journey.
Over time, Disha’s PCOD symptoms significantly improved and she shed 18 kg. More significantly, she started to feel better about herself and her physique once more.
The question of whether what she had learned for herself may eventually benefit someone else was raised by her personal development.
Starting Again at 41
Disha started studying nutrition formally at Dt. Shreya Academy when she was forty-one.
It’s interesting to note that the original intention was not to become a nutritionist. Her main motivation for joining was to improve her understanding of her own health and solidify the knowledge she had gained from her own experiences.
However, schooling provided an unanticipated opportunity.
Disha became an NSDC-certified nutritionist after earning an MA in Hindi. She also placed first in her NSDC class in practicals during her official training, which gave her more confidence to pursue a career in nutrition.
From Homemaker to Working Dietitian
In her forties, she had to start a profession while still fulfilling her roles as a mother of two and homemaker.
However, the same incident that had previously undermined Disha’s self-esteem eventually served as the basis for her career goals.
She was researching nutrition at 41 in an effort to better understand herself.
She is a 43-year-old dietician who uses her expertise to help people enhance their confidence, lifestyle, and health.
When Personal Learning Began Helping Others
As Disha started working with clients, the impact of her transition from learner to practitioner began showing through their feedback.
One client reported losing 3 kg in one month while following Disha’s diet plan and specifically appreciated the guidance, motivation and regular support that made the process easier.
Another client shared a 10 kg weight loss over two months, alongside feeling fresher, more active and energetic. The client credited Disha’s diet plan and guidance with helping them make the transformation.
A third client reported losing 2.8 kg after completing a one-week diet plan. Beyond the change on the scale, the client highlighted something equally important about following a nutrition plan: the food was both healthy and tasty, with enough variety to make the experience enjoyable.
A Client’s PCOS Journey Reflects Disha’s Own Beginnings
Perhaps one of the most meaningful testimonials is from a client dealing with PCOS—an experience that closely echoes the health concerns that originally led Disha towards nutrition.
The client reported starting at 88.7 kg and reaching approximately 81.2 kg over three months, a loss of about 7.5 kg. But weight loss was only one part of the progress described.
The client also reported that her periods had become regular, that she felt her PCOS symptoms had improved significantly, and that she experienced days with noticeably better energy and activity levels.
She acknowledged that there were fluctuations and difficult days during the plan, but felt that the overall experience had positively affected her weight, menstrual cycle and sense of well-being. Most importantly, she expressed a desire to continue building on the healthier habits rather than returning to her previous routine.
For Disha, feedback like this adds another dimension to her career journey. The questions she once asked about her own hormonal health are now similar to the concerns some of her clients bring to her.
Turning Personal Experience Into Purpose
There is more to Disha Makkar’s journey than just a shift in her work or physical appearance. It is the tale of finding a new path at a time in life when many individuals are reluctant to start anew.
She learned about nutrition through her PCOD experience. Her perseverance transformed her interest into a formal education. And she eventually turned her studies into a career.
A New Chapter at 43
Disha is still developing as a dietician today, using both her professional expertise and the insight she has learned from her personal experience.
For her, alleviating her PCOD symptoms, decreasing 18 kg, or surpassing her practical training are not the most significant accomplishments. It’s because a challenging time in her life ultimately led her to find meaningful job.
Disha Makkar’s path serves as a reminder that beginning anything new has no age restrictions, as she went from being a homemaker looking for answers about her own health to a qualified nutritionist assisting others in finding theirs.
