New Delhi, March 13 -- Darshana Shukla, a corporate communication professional aged 44, never really thought that fitness would ever make its way into her life, to the point of being like an addiction. And like many women, her fitness journey began after feeling unhealthy following weight gain from pregnancy. Sedentary work habits and the COVID-19 lockdown worsened things over time for her, and the weight began to add up, as did the discomfort.

The first signs of her frustration emerged when she found she could no longer fit into her favourite clothes. Shopping became more stressful than joyful, and her health began to send warning signs.

Complicating matters were a series of injuries to her left leg from accidents. Standing for longer ...