Harnaaz Sandhu Opens Up on Weight Gain, Emotional Eating, Fitness Pressure and Starbucks Habit
Former Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu has shared more insight into her personal fitness journey, weight fluctuations, and the emotional challenges she faced after winning the global crown. Speaking on the Origin Story podcast, she reflected on how her lifestyle in New York City, combined with public scrutiny, shaped her habits and mindset during a difficult phase.
Daily Starbucks Habit That Became a Routine
Harnaaz revealed that one of her everyday habits during her time in New York involved frequent visits to Starbucks located in her residential building. What started as a simple convenience gradually turned into a regular post-workout indulgence.
“My building in New York had a Starbucks. I could smell the coffee, and I used to just go. I used to order a venti caramel frappuccino, extra drizzle, extra everything. I believe that’s a dessert. After the gym, imagine,” she said.
She described the drink more as a dessert than coffee, emphasizing how it became a consistent part of her routine rather than an occasional treat. Over time, this high-sugar habit became something she later reflected on as part of her lifestyle imbalance.
Struggles With Fitness Expectations and Body Changes
After being crowned Miss Universe, Harnaaz found herself under intense public scrutiny regarding her appearance. She admitted that the constant commentary about her weight affected her mentally, especially during a phase when she was actively trying to stay fit.
She explained that early gym progress can often be misleading, which added to her frustration.
“I used to go to the gym, come back, and feel like I was looking the same. In the beginning, when you go to the gym, that first one month, you feel like you might be gaining more weight because you look more puffy or whatever,” she shared.
This lack of immediate visible results, combined with external pressure and trolling, made the process emotionally exhausting for her.
Emotional Eating and Comfort Through Food
Harnaaz also spoke about how stress and disappointment began influencing her eating habits. Instead of focusing purely on nutrition, food started becoming a source of emotional comfort.
“But it became my comfort because I was really upset not to see the change in my body. It took me some time to tell myself that I had to be patient; it’s a process,” she said.
She admitted that during that phase, she was not just eating out of hunger but also as a way to cope with frustration and self-doubt.
Learning Patience and Consistency
Over time, Harnaaz said she realized that fitness is a gradual process rather than an instant transformation. She shifted her focus from rapid results to consistency and discipline.
“I’m not going to look at the weighing machine. I’m going to just go, close my eyes, blind myself, and keep doing it. After six months, I saw some results,” she added.
Her approach eventually helped her regain balance, both physically and mentally.
Moving Forward in Her Career
Ahead of her Bollywood projects, including her debut alongside Tiger Shroff in Baaghi 4, Harnaaz appears to have rebuilt her routine with a more grounded mindset. She describes her journey as one shaped by small, sustainable changes rather than extreme diets or drastic transformations.
Conclusion
Harnaaz Sandhu’s revelations highlight the hidden pressures of public life, especially for beauty pageant winners constantly judged on appearance. Her experience underscores how fitness journeys are often influenced not just by exercise and diet, but also by emotional well-being, stress, and patience over time.
