Archive · 4 Sep 2026
How Barbell Aunty Lost 18 Kg and Improved Prediabetes
Kalavati Thakur is 61 years old and is called “Barbell Aunty” online.
She lost 18 kilograms in one year while exercising at a gym.
Her son said her prediabetes and severe knee pain improved.
Doctors say losing extra weight can help the body use sugar better.
Strength exercises can also build muscles and support the knees.
Older people should begin slowly instead of lifting very heavy weights right away.
People with medical problems should ask a doctor before starting a new exercise plan.
Blood tests are still needed to show whether prediabetes has truly improved.
Sixty-one-year-old Kalavati Thakur, known online as “Barbell Aunty,” lost 18 kg and changed her body over one year.
Her son, Harish Thakur, said she reversed her prediabetic stage and reduced severe knee pain after beginning strength training.
Dr Sundar Krishnan said sustained lifestyle changes and weight loss can improve insulin sensitivity and sometimes return prediabetes to the normal range.
Resistance exercise may help older adults preserve muscle, improve blood-sugar handling, and support mobility and independence.
Experts advise gradual, individualized exercise, medical guidance for people with health conditions, and blood tests to confirm prediabetes improvement.
- Who
- Kalavati Thakur, known as “Barbell Aunty,” and her son Harish Thakur; medical comments were provided by Dr Sundar Krishnan.
- What
- Thakur lost 18 kg in one year through a fitness-focused lifestyle, while her son said her prediabetic stage and severe knee pain improved.
- When
- The transformation occurred over one year; her age is 61.
- Where
- She was shown working out in a gym, and the expert quoted is from KIMS Hospitals in Thane.
- Why
- The account highlights how sustained weight loss and strength training may support blood-sugar control, muscle strength, mobility, and reduced knee strain.
- Person
- Kalavati Thakur, also known as “Barbell Aunty”
- Age
- 61
- Weight loss
- 18 kg
- Time period
- One year
- Reported health improvements
- Improved prediabetic stage and severe knee pain, according to her son’s Instagram post
- Expert
- Dr Sundar Krishnan, senior consultant in internal medicine at KIMS Hospitals, Thane
- Recommended monitoring
- HbA1c and blood-glucose tests are needed to confirm whether prediabetes has been reversed