‘No junk food through delivery apps’: From 135kg to 95kg – How Dubai resident lost 40kg in 5 months

Dubai: In an inspiring weight loss journey, Dubai-based British expat Zubair Chaudhry has stunned friends, family, and even himself by dropping 40kg in just five months.
His secret? A radical lifestyle changes by quitting takeaways and junk food ordered through delivery apps, finding support from colleagues at work, and rediscovering the power of home cooking.

A resident for just over two years, Chaudhry’s rewarding journey to a fit and healthy life began as 2024 came to a close. In December, he tipped the scales at 135kg.

Long work hours, a sedentary lifestyle, and a near-daily ritual of fast food had taken their toll.
“I was severely overweight. But it wasn’t just the weight. I wasn’t feeling good about myself, either physically or mentally. My doctor told me: I needed to ‘fix’ myself.”

Medical interventions like surgery were among the treatment options, but the 32-year-old wanted to try dieting and exercising first.

“I was born in the UK but my ethnicity is Pakistani. When I last visited my parents in the UK in December, they told me I needed to do something about my weight.”

Chaudhry blames his habits of eating out and ordering junk food via delivery apps.

“I live alone in Dubai. As soon as I’d leave my office desk after long working hours, I’d go on these apps and order food. There were always offers. I’d go for fast food like burgers and pizzas but it was never healthy.”

It was in January that he drew a line and said no to late-night orders. He developed a healthy meal plan, including salads, raw veggies, and chicken. By February, he turned on the burner in his kitchen for the first time in nearly two years of living in Dubai.
“I’m not exaggerating but I probably used my kitchen five times in the past two years.”

Soon, he was ordering groceries instead of greasy dinners, and home cooking became his superpower. He lost about six kilos in a month.
“I cook my own food. I know exactly what’s going into my body.”

In February, he also joined the RAK Biggest Weight Loss Challenge 2025. Through five months of disciplined effort, he dropped to 95 kg losing another 34.6 kg in just 12 weeks and emerged as the second runner-up, winning Dh3,400 in the process.

“At the start of the competition, I was 129 kg. But it was never just about losing weight, it was about becoming healthy inside and out.”
Though the first few months were tough, he never gave up on his new routine. Soon, twice-daily workouts and clean eating became his new normal.

Chaudhry credits his colleagues for helping him stay consistent.

“They’ve been amazing. Even when I was having small or bland meals, they were like, ‘Keep going.’ I couldn’t have wished for a better group of colleagues. They’ve been my family on this journey. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Except for a single day in January, when he treated himself to fast food on his birthday, Chaudhry has stayed disciplined.
“It’s not about cravings anymore. I’ve fallen in love with this lifestyle. I feel amazing physically, emotionally, and mentally. My self-confidence is growing.”

His next goal? To enter the 80s by the end of the year and inspire others along the way.

And his advice to others: start cooking.
“Those who don’t know how to cook should learn. Most expats living alone hardly ever cook,” Chaudhry added.