Archives for January 2016

January 27, 2016 By Parwage Alam Leave a Comment

6 Ways to achieve your New Year’s Goals

New Year 2016

We are in the last week of the first month of 2016 and I am sure many of us out there would have made some New Year resolutions. The common resolutions made are – “Lose Weight and Get Fit”, “Quit Smoking”, “Learn Something New”, “Eat Healthier and Diet”, “Get out of Debt and Save Money”, “Spend More Time with Family”, “Travel to New Places”, “Be Less Stressed”, “Volunteer”, “Drink Less. The question is are we still at it?

The above desires to want to change something about yourself happens year after year. People’s intentions are good but seldom do they end up fulfilling the resolution that they take up. A recent article by Forbes magazine said that only 8% of the people actually achieve their New Year’s goals.

Why is it so hard to keep your New Year’s goals? Why do so many people fail at goal setting? And what is it about those few who manage to get it right and achieve their goals?

There are many answers to the why’s and how’s. New Year goal setting is just seen as an opportunity to dish out our large bucket lists of all that we wanted to achieve through the year and could not. It’s an attempt to tell yourself that this year will be definitely better than the last.

This enthusiasm continues in the first week of the New Year. Then gradually asdays pass, months cross and finally quarter of the year end, the interest in goals set weans away. Human Mind always finds excuses to not keep up to the goals set or lose interest mid-way or blame others for not being able to achieve something. Looking inward at one’s own short coming seldom happens.

Here are 6 ways to stay on track with your goals once the New Year “feeling” starts fading off.

Create a Q&A: If you have decided to resolve a habit prepare some questions that you can ask yourself at timely intervals this really helps you to boost your enthusiasm and keep a check on your progress. Analyze your life. Is there anything you would change or improve? All answers start with questions, so be ready to create your list. Ask who, what and how: Who do I want to become? What can I improve? How can I change? Give yourself plenty of time — anywhere from a few hours to several days.

Devil’s in the Details: Now as you have your list ready, it’s time to check and analyze your report so that you stick to your routine and check the progress. This will help you to carry out your resolution by the end of Year. For Example: “if you resolve to lose 10 KG by the end of this month, always keep a record and check at the end of every month how much you have achieved, this detailed data will help you to reach your goal. This works as your Roadmap”.

Gaze into the Future: Now you have your New Year’s roadmap in hand, it’s time to create some emotional attachment with your goals. This really makes your journey enjoyable because it links you to your imagination (Mind Game). You have to visualize that how you are feeling after achieving your goals. For Example: If a girl’s goal is to lose 10 KG she should start visualizing herself in one size smaller this in turn will motivate her to achieve her goal. The more senses you engage, the better. This is your future self — get excited!

Eating Elephants: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. We always have to break our goals into small proportion to achieve, this really helps us to accomplish our Targets on time. For Example: if you have to run 10 Km – your mind start thinking it’s a huge distance, which you have to cover and you lose your motivation. But if you break this into milestone that you have to complete 1 KM 10 times – it will become very easy to achieve your TARGET.

Rewards: Human Nature always needs bribes or rewards. So it’s the best way to give yourself a reward after achieving milestones of your ‘Main GOAL’. This further motivates you to achieve your goal. For example: If you are planning to run 10 KM and you have already broken your target 1 KM in 10 times, start rewarding yourself after every 1 KM –by walking 100 meters this will give you some rest and your body will be energized to run another 1 KM.

Socializing: It’s a human behavior when you commit something in front of someone you always behind to achieve that goals. So it’s better to publish your resolution in social media and tell about it to your friends, also update your result in a timely manner, this will help you to stick with your routine and achieve your goals.

So what do you intend to resolve in 2016? Follow the above methods to achieve your GOALs.

January 22, 2016 By Anusha Subramanian 3 Comments

Why is GOQii the best startup to work at?

Two years ago when I first walked into the 7th-floor office of GOQii to meet Vishal Gondal, the first sight was that of some youngsters playing loud music and doing Zumba. I was told it’s a regular routine at the office. If it’s not Zumba then its Tabata or skipping or indulging in some physical activity while at office. Then I saw some weights, exercise ball, kettle bell lying around. My first thought was it was a small startup, few people so it’s just one way to probably relax at work. But, the best part is this fun atmosphere continues even after 2 years of being in operation and with close to 100 odd employees.

No wonder that it is rated among the top 10 best startups that one should be looking at to work for in 2016 by a leading news website. The website rated it based on the new exciting business in the wearable space that GOQii is operating in. But, GOQii apart from the business that it operates is a cool startup to work at for varied reasons.

GOQii founded by gaming geek Vishal Gondal in 2013 with the basic premise to get people to follow a healthy lifestyle by making small changes in their life. GOQii which operates in the wearable space combines a fitness band with personalized coaching to help people lead a healthy lifestyle. This ideology was not meant only for their ‘Players’(customers) but, also to be practiced within the company. One of the values of the company is ‘Practice what we Preach’.

Being a startup there is pressure to perform and deliver but not at the cost of a bad work life balance. The company provides a work atmosphere that is lively and not monotonous. For all here at GOQii, the two main aspects that have attracted them or have kept them back is because it is a great learning place for one’s career and secondly, you can just be the person you are and do not have to change yourself to prove your abilities. It is one company that does not hire basis your degrees but hires basis your attitude and persona.

Says Gondal, CEO of GOQii “We hire people not for their degrees but for their passion. We want people to be themselves at work and have the same persona as their personal life.”

The coaches who are responsible for motivating and changing people’s lifestyle for the better say that they are motivated within the office and therefore are able to motivate their players. The one thing that strikes a chord with all coaches is the ethical practice followed by the company and that they are not focusing on weight loss but on leading a healthy and holistic lifestyle.

The learning curve at GOQii is fabulous, there are great mentors within the company who are approachable including Vishal who is the CEO. These Mentors may work in a completely different department but, you get unlimited, time with him/her to talk and understand any issue. The work culture is open and there is a lot of freedom for you to work your way while you bear in mind the ethical values of the company.

As one employee from the tech department says: “Two years at GOQii has been enriching for me. I being an IT professional have got an opportunity to learn beyond just technology. I have had the opportunity to work with various departments and in the process learned people management. GOQii has not limited me from doing anything.”

Apart from the work culture and the cool people working for the company, GOQii also takes care of its people. Being in the health industry, the company has been instrumental in getting its employees to lead a healthy lifestyle as well without imposing any rules or regulations on them.

“I had a bad work life balance but, I can vouch and say now that I am a much healthier person now. I eat well and sleep well. I am not stressed at work and I do not wake up thinking ‘Oh shit’ I need to get to work. But more eager to get to work daily,” says one woman employee who works in the HR department.

It’s not only about an open work culture, flexibility or ethical values at work, but also the fun things that happen within office- the regular workout sessions, Zumba session for fitness, work from wherever you want to as no specific desk space is allotted, work sitting on a beanbag or on an exercise ball so long as work is getting done.

I would be doing injustice if I do not talk of the healthy food that is served for lunch. Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays the employees get healthy organic food and Tuesday and Thursday is Vegan organic all free of cost. There are also regular outdoor activities such as runs, walks, hikes or treks conducted across India where players and coaches meet. Last but not the least, the karma culture is a part of GOQii Life where employees along with coaches and players are invited to volunteer with a social organization and do good for the society.

January 19, 2016 By Ananya Bhattacharya 2 Comments

My Love for ‘Ghee’ and its 14 benefits

Whenever I close my eyes and recollect my childhood or pregnancy happiness’ I feel that amazing smell of Ghee, the pure, unadulterated, smooth and delicious ghee or better known as Clarified butter largely made out of Cow’s milk.

I still remember my childhood days when my mom used to fry Luchis also called Poories–Indian fried Wheat bread in ghee and I simply relished it the divine smell of ghee. And I equally relish Indian sweets made in pure claified butter. Even our lentils used to be tempered with ghee, rotis with ghee spread on them, ghee with steaming hot rice, ghee to top the veggies, ghee ke laddoos……. the list is never ending.

I grew up having loads of clarified butter, but it’s only when I did my Masters in Food & nutrition that I got a clearer view on ghee or clarified butter and my love for it.

Being a Nutritionist & a mom of two young kids, I have always been posed with the question how is it that I give my kids food with so much ghee? Well the fact is that Ghee is safe to have and that it has several nutritional benefits

Before we come to the benefits let’s look at some facts and what science says

FACTS

Ayurveda says

Among the four kinds of fat namely Gritha (ghee), Taila (oil), Vasa (fat), Majja (bone marrow) Ayurveda considers GHEE as the best among these. According to Ayurveda, ghee made from cow’s milk promotes memory, intellect and digestion. It also promotes healing of wounds, keeps the skin lustrous and maintains immunity.

Science says

Modern science has discovered that ghee is rich in antioxidants. The fats in ghee aid absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and minerals from other foods, strengthening the immune system. Ghee is also rich in butyric acid, a fatty acid with anti-viral properties, which is believed to prevent cancers and tumours.

Recent research has also detected presence of linoleic acid in ghee. Linoleic acid retards the growth of some cancers and protects us from heart disease. This acid is often lacking in a vegetarian diet.

According to B S Raheja, the ex-director of All India Institute of Diabetes, the present epidemics of diabetes, heart disease and some cancers is due to not including ghee in our diets.

Benefits of Ghee

Ghee is a source of beta carotene and vitamins A, D, E, and K. Beta carotene and vitamin E are vital antioxidants. Vitamin A is naturally present in ghee, which is lacking in other edible oils.
Ghee has no milk solids, lactose or sugars. These get separated out when the butter is made into ghee, so it’s good for lactose intolerant people too
Organic ghee has no additives, preservatives, oxidized cholesterol or trans-fatty acids that clog arteries.
Ghee is highly stable and does not go rancid even at room temperature.
Clarified butter has a very high smoke point than butter but lesser than oil—it does not burn at high cooking temperatures. So it’s always better to cook in ghee than butter as butter burns very easily
Ghee is primarily saturated fat. One tablespoon of ghee provides 14g of saturated fat, 28mg of cholesterol and roughly 120 calories.
Ghee is useful for both external and internal use. Because ghee helps to increase immunity, that subtle essence of tissue that is responsible for life, radiant health, vigour, longevity and overall well being.
Slows down ageing process by adding a minimum of ghee to your food everyday.
It also removes toxins from body & mind.
Ghee is beneficial in promoting growth and development in children. It also improves memory and concentration power.
Ghee has its healing properties. If used directly on cuts, wounds or burns, it has powerful healing action. It can be used to cure gangerine . ulcers etc.
Pure ghee has anti-oxidant properties which promotes healthy metabolism and aids weight loss(when used in a moderation)
Intake of Ghee reduces the cholesterol both in the serum & intestine by triggering an increased secretion of biliary lipids.
Ghee is good for nerves & brains. It helps control eye pressure and is beneficial to glaucoma patients.

January 18, 2016 By Anusha Subramanian 1 Comment

GOQii Stories of Positivity and Progression

Hemant Kejriwal, participated in an 8 km run in February 2015

Beginning this week you will read success stories of GOQii users in this space. These are stories of people who thought it would be impossible for them to give up old habits and embrace new habits for the better. When heard of their success stories we were encouraged to share these stories with a larger community who can get inspired by them to bring positivity in their lives.

Our first story is about Hemant Kejriwal who from leading a sedentary lifestyle is now an energetic and active young man within just 15 months. Let’s find out how he managed

From being highly inactive to running 8 kms a day

Hemant Kejriwal, a 39-year-old Start-up Entrepreneur from Mumbai had tried and failed many times to get energetic and active. “Till the time I was in school and college I was energetic and active. But, slowly as work life took over I started leading a sedentary lifestyle. Though, I had my flirtatious flings with the gyms. I would spend loads on membership but would never go regularly as I would be bored. Finally, I was warned by my wife to stop wasting money on gyms,” says Hemant. “I knew I wanted to be energetic through the day but, I was unable to do so. I did not know how to get started with this,” he adds.

Hemant did what a lot of people do and vowed to get healthy and active in 2015. But, again he kept trying on his own. He would as a routine wake up at 4.30 am or 5 am and not step out of the house for a walk or run but sit down with his laptop and work. Then drive to his work place which was less than a kilometer (0.6 mile) from his house. “I knew I was leading an unhealthy life. I had put on a lot of weight, weighed 103 kgs and did not have enough energy to pull along through the day.”

During this time, he got to know from friends about GOQii. He decided to go in for a band that came with a personal coach. In Oct 2014 he signed up with GOQii and got a band and made a commitment. “My Goal was to be energetic through the day. For me feeling energetic was more important than looking good,” says Hemant.

Soon after I started interacting with my coach Hardika, I got on to the right track. I realised that ‘staying active’, above all else, was key. Within 4 months I had lost 9 kgs. The focus however was not so much on losing weight as much as it was getting fit overall – building strength, stamina, flexibility & agility.

And precisely that happened. From a XXL size shirt, Hemant within 4 months could start wearing a XL size shirt. From not walking even a kilometer or (0.6 mile) or (1000 steps) in an entire day, Hemant had soon got down to running 8 kms a day before even getting to work His best he says was being able to swim 2.5 km (50 laps) in one ago within 6 months of getting on to GOQii. “This was a huge milestone achieved by me after almost 20 years,” he asserts.

Talking about the changes he says: “I started by walking 5 km early in the morning (which gradually increased to 8 km) & adding another 3-4 km during the day. Then I focused on increasing my speed. And shifted to swimming in the summers,” Hemant says. Above all, his water consumption which was less than even a liter a day is consistently over 3 liters a day, now.

Being a health food enthusiast, there has been no significant dietary changes. But there were large gaps between meals & not enough protein. He corrected all of this, and his pre-post workout meals thanks to his coach.

For Hemant, the healthy lifestyle has helped his productivity at work and he says he has become a better husband and a better father.

Hemant sums it up by saying in the last 15 months since he got on to the GOQii ecosystem, he has had a more holistic wellbeing thanks to the active lifestyle he has been leading.

What does his Coach Hardika have to say?

Hemant has been a dedicated player over the last 15 months. Prior to getting on to the GOQii ecosystem he was highly inactive. Over a period we have been able to control these issues. I am happy that he could swim 50 laps at one go which was his goal.

Sporty and dedicated, Hemant has always been ready to take up any challenges that I have been giving. He has got very active. Within six months he was able to move from an XXL size to XL size shirt. I have sent him a GOQii Tshirt, a size smaller with a note: “I am happy with your progress and the way you are losing inches. I am sure you will need to change your wardrobe, so this is a contribution from my end which we will fit by end of this year”. He is motivated to work towards leading a better and healthy lifestyle and we are going to rock it!