For many couples, wedding prep includes finding a venue, picking a caterer, and choosing the perfect attire. But for Ajay Vadukul, 27, and Shalini Agrawal, 28, their May 2nd wedding was also the perfect reason to fully commit to their health and fitness—something they had been wanting to prioritize for a long time.
“As cliché as it sounds, we will have these photos for the rest of our lives,” the Los Angeles couple shared. “We’ve worked so hard to plan this wedding that we want to be proud of ourselves when we look back. This felt like the perfect time to really take a forward leap and start our fitness journey.”
The couple made progress on their own at first but eventually hit a plateau and knew they needed extra guidance. That’s when they turned to a trusted friend: Alexander Martinez, a Nutrishop ambassador, certified personal trainer (NFPT), and owner of Club Brutal. Starting in January, Alex designed a personalized four-month program to help them achieve their goals before the multi-day Indian wedding celebration.
“Some people get newlyweds toasters,” Alex said. “I get them confident and looking amazing for their photos!”
A Program Tailored to Their Busy Lives
With Shalini working 70-hour weeks as a resident physician and Ajay balancing his role as Vice President at Endeavor Advisors LLC, time was tight. Alex customized a fitness plan that worked with the equipment available in the couple's apartment complex gym, incorporating strength training, HIIT, and a sprinkling of yoga and dance classes to keep workouts enjoyable for both of them. Without each other—and Alex’s tailored workouts—the soon-to-wed couple admit they would not have been as consistent.
On the nutrition front, they focused on increasing protein, tracking macros, and staying consistent with their food choices. “We were surprised to see that we were actually eating more than before, but still losing weight with Alex’s recommendations,” they said.
Real Results—Physically and Mentally
Before the wedding arrived, both Ajay and Shalini had reached their target weights. Ajay dropped a total of 40 pounds, with 16 of those pounds lost after starting with Alex. Shalini lost a total of 18 pounds, 9 of which came off during the final stretch of training. In addition to fat loss, both gained noticeable muscle and strength throughout the process. “Since we started dating six years ago, we haven’t felt this comfortable in our bodies,” they shared.
But the transformation wasn’t just physical—it strengthened their relationship, too. “From trust and accountability to believing we can achieve anything together, we are now aligned in our goals,” they said. Even with demanding careers and opposite work schedules, they stayed disciplined and supported each other every step of the way.
How Nutrishop Played a Role
As part of their plan, Alex introduced Ajay and Shalini to several Nutrishop products that supported their training and recovery, including:
- Pump Action (Non-Stim Pre-Workout) — to power their workouts without the jitters
- Modern Source Plant-Based Protein — to help meet daily protein goals
- SuperMulti+ — to fill nutritional gaps with essential vitamins
- Multi-Source Omega-3 — for added support in overall health and inflammation
“In regards to the supplements, they have enhanced our fitness journey and allowed us to work out more effectively,” the couple shared. “It was extremely helpful to have Alex recommend these specific Nutrishop supplements to guide us in every aspect of our health.”
Advice for Other Engaged Couples
For anyone looking to start a fitness journey before their wedding (or any big life event), Ajay and Shalini have simple advice: don’t wait. “Whether you’re two years, two months, or two weeks away from your wedding, you will notice change and feel more confident,” they said. “The perfect time to start is now.”
Most importantly, they emphasize finding the right support system, whether that’s a personal trainer, accountability partner, or trusted community. As they put it, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go as a team.”
Now, even after the wedding, which took place in early May, this couple isn’t slowing down. What started as wedding prep has turned into a full lifestyle shift—one they plan to carry with them into married life and beyond.
"Seeing them grow from stage zero to where they are now is why I do what I do,” Alex shared.
