Archives for February 2018

February 27, 2018 By Anusha Subramanian 3 Comments

10 simple tips for Running everyday

Running every day can get boring sometimes. It happened to me there was a point in time when I got bored of running and started cycling more often. I had been running for over 15 years. Running every day is not for everybody if you have never run before. Running requires a lot of patience and practice. You have to beat it to be able to make it your daily routine.

Lots of us have to keep going back to square one to pull it off. Newbies should be especially careful because lack of training and/or lack of adequate preparation can easily result in injury. Having said the above, running is very doable and the key to keeping yourself motivated to run is finding the right balance between the quantity and the quality of your runs.

Here are a few simple tips that one can follow. This is applicable to both the new first time runners and those who have been running but once in a way get bored

Start Easy: Do not go all out the first time. Start easy and gradually progress if you are a beginner and new to the concept of running.

Keep short distances: Learn to start running by keeping short distances. Do not start with sprinting. That is not running. I always find people when they start running they start sprinting. Sprinting tires you within seconds of the start. More so when you have never ever run in your life. Jogging is the way to start.

Time train instead of distance train: Ideally it is better to train with time rather than with distance. You can start with a 1-minute run and 3 minutes of walk, to begin with. Most find it difficult to run for even 5 minutes continuously if you are just starting to run. Increase the 1-minute run to 5 minutes and walk for a minute. Try to run for 20 minutes a day for a month in this order and gradually increase to 3 km a day next month.

Do not overdo: If you realize that you are breathing hard or rather panting it means that you are overdoing it. Give your body enough time to get adapted to your routine. Human bodies are very quick to adapt to certain physiological stresses provided you allow it enough time. For instance, if you feel you can increase your time from 20 minutes to 45 minutes with a 5-minute break after every 20 minutes, then walk for 5 minutes. There is nothing wrong with it. Moderation is a key whenever you are starting a new physical activity.

Prepare a schedule: Just do not randomly run whenever you want to. Prepare a daily routine. If you have a trainer or a coach sit with him/her and chalk out a proper schedule for running.

Your schedule should also include good rest periods. For instance, if you ran at 6 am the day before, consider running at 5 pm or 6 pm the day after or aim for (at least) a 24-hour rest period between runs. If you want to shorten your distance do that. Do what is comfortable. Run a km or a mile on some days. Have 3 days in a week with real easy runs when you start out and be cautious. If you need an extra day of rest. Take it.

Pace yourself better. Try and do the long slow distance pace. You will only become better at doing something when you’re able to understand how well your body is reacting and how you have been performing over time. Slow and steady progress is good progress.

Proper nutrition and rest are important: Make sure that the schedule includes proper exercises, nutrition inputs and rest as 3 important components. If you just run without proper pre-workout and post-work meal, stretching and strength training exercises and proper rest all the effort that you are putting to run will be of no use. Go for a balanced diet with simple and complex carbohydrates and protein. Not to mention, getting enough sleep is just as important.

To keep yourself interested run with a partner: There are chances that you are kicked about going running every day but you can easily get bored of your routine. So to tread that path go running with a friend who is equally interested in running or get yourself a trainer who can motivate you every day.

Set a goal to do a long run within 3 months of starting of Aim to run 5 km after 3 months of starting off. Also, set a time goal for completion of this run. Register for a run. Eventually, this will help you bring about a change in your routine and above all, it will give you a chance to look forward to something eventful.

Reward yourself: Last but not the least reward yourself after a good long run. It will not cost much to get a good massage or visit a spa after a long run to feel good about yourself.

Finally, I would like to end by saying that most of us out there run for varied reasons. Some run to just stay fit and because they enjoy running, some run to get over the runner block that they may have. Some run for a cause so they are motivated to run every day. Whatever the reason may be, run every day or at least 3 days a week because it will keep you healthy. It’s a great addition to have!

February 24, 2018 By Anusha Subramanian Leave a Comment

“Active Sunday helps connect with like-minded individuals”: Arun Golaya

Arun Golaya-Player

If you are seriously not inclined to fitness, you will never know the joy of waking up early on a Sunday morning and going for a long walk, run, cycling, trek or just group outdoor workout sessions. What for some is a lazy day to sit back and enjoy, for some, Sunday is the first day and they like to start their week by being super active?

Arun Golaya was introduced to GOQii by Cap Anurag Bisen whose team Arun joined two years ago for the 100 km trail walk. It is during this time that he got to know of the Active Sunday concept. He finds Active Sunday’s interesting as it gets him to meet with like-minded individuals and have a healthy gup-shup alongside exercising. Given that GOQii helps keep one conscious of their health and fitness, Arun, has now introduced his daughter to GOQii as well.

February 22, 2018 By Saba Mirza 1 Comment

Are Fats the only culprit behind those flabs?

Many times I have come across people saying, ‘I have been avoiding all kind of fats such as ghee, oil, fried foods, cream, cheese since a long time but, I am just been unable to get rid of all the flab’.

If you ask me I would say that there are mistakes people make in the process of burning all those fatty bags. Let’s see what these mistakes are

Mistake 1-CUTTING DOWN ALL KIND OF FATS: The first mistake most make is avoiding fats completely.Fat is the 3rd major nutrient needed by the body for the optimal functioning of various vital systems like cardiovascular system, skeletal system (bones and joints), and neurological system.If you don’t provide the required amount of fat to the body, it will start storing other nutrients like carbohydrates in the form of fat in fear of an emergency.

The key is to avoid bad fats (the fat which is saturated at room temperature like ghee, butter) and opt for good fat(the fat which is liquid at room temperature like vegetable oils and also the fat from nuts and seeds) and have it in moderation.

Mistake 2-HAVING INVISIBLE FATS: Look for the invisible fats which you might be consuming unknowingly.You might be providing invisible bad fats to your body in the form of all kind of processed foods like biscuits, cookies, fast foods, cakes, pastries, ice creams, chocolates etc.

Mistake 3-INACTIVITY: If you are sitting all day in front of the computer, then there is no need for the body to burn the calories and chances are the bodies are storing all kinds of excess calories coming from carbohydrates and proteins in the form of fat.So, do make a habit of getting up from your work seat and walking in the corridor, doing some office desk exercises, just to provide an excuse to your cells to burn the calories consumed during meals.

Mistake 4-SKIPPING MEALS: When you are avoiding your breakfast or lunch, the body goes into the fat-preserving mode in fear of a deadly situation. So keep providing some nutritious food in the form of meals or snacks, at least, every 3 hours to keep your metabolism running.

Mistake 5-STRESS: Stress is an integral part of our lifestyle nowadays and yes, in acute situation, it does reduce the appetite because of the secretion of stress hormone, but a persistent stressed out situation maintains a higher level of cortisol hormones for a longer time, whose job is to replenish the body even after the stress has passed out and this increases your appetite and makes you crave for your favorite desserts. So do try to include some relaxation technique in your day to day life to soothe your body and keep the hormones under control during the stressed out situations.

Mistake 6-SLEEP DEPRIVATION: Here is how disturbed sleeping hours affects your waistline badly-Lack of sleep makes you feel exhausted, makes you skip your workout, makes you crave for some brain stimulant like coffee, tea, and makes you binge on some bad calories while being awake for more hours than sleeping.

Mistake 7- HAVING A HEAVY DINNER: Dinner has always been considered as the only family meal which we have all together. But do you know, at that time, your body is preparing itself for a slowdown at night, your metabolism is at it’s lowest.So anything in excess, especially carbohydrates, which body is unable to digest at that time is getting collected in the central area of your body.That doesn’t mean that you go to bed feeling hungry.Plan it wisely. Have a heavy nutritious evening snack and a light dinner which is low in carbohydrates, moderate in proteins and high in fibres.

Mistake 8-HAVING FRUITS AT WRONG TIME: Combining your fruits with meals and having them post-sunset or at bedtime is a sure way to get those flags on your waistline, as they are again a form of instant carbohydrates.Have them as individual meals or snacks instead.

And if you still feel that you are guilty of none of these mistakes and stuck with these flaws, do consult your doctor. There might be an underlying medical condition like hypothyroid or other hormonal imbalances which is keeping your metabolism disturbed and maintaining all the fatty bags despite your efforts to be healthy and fit.

February 21, 2018 By Trupti Hingad 3 Comments

Best Home Remedies for Ailments

natural-home-made-remedies

In my career as a nutritionist, I have come across three main issues that most people suffer from and these are Diabetes, Hypothyroid, and Acidity.

The reason for these issues to develop is only one—Unhealthy Lifestyle. But, unfortunately, while most are aware of this close to 90% are unable to make lifestyle changes and thus end up getting medicines as recommended by their doctors.

Popping pills seem easier than to bring about a lifestyle change and arrest the issue at the initial stages. Things get difficult when the results are not as expected and are slow. This is precisely when one starts searching for some natural remedies from natural foods.

I am listing down certain good home remedies which actually use natural food and cure your issues, help you get fit with proper healthy lifestyle.

Best home remedies for treating diabetes

Mix 1/2tsp Turmeric + 1tsp Aamla (Gooseberry) powder+1/2tbsp Methi (Fenugreek) seeds powder in a half glass of water and take daily morning on empty stomach. (good for retinopathy)
1tbsp Methi (Fenugreek) seeds soaked overnight in ½ cup water and chew it next day in the morning empty stomach.
Dry seed powder of Jamun (Balck Berry) fruits have to be used -1tsp twice or thrice daily with lukewarm water
Take 40-80ml of decoction of banyan tree bark. Boil 20gm of bark in 4 cups of water, reduce till 1 cup and then drink daily.
Using Tejpatta (Bay Leaf) in food helps to bring sugar levels under control.
Juice of Karela (Bitter gourd) -20ml daily should be taken in morning. Bittergourd help diabetics with insulin secretion, glucose oxidation and other processes.
Soak Ladyfingers (Okra) in water overnight and then drink that water on an empty stomach to control diabetes.
Paneer Ka Phool” is also known as Rennet, is a kind of Indian flower very effective to control diabetes. You have to put 8-10 pieces of flower in a glass of water and soak it the whole night. In the morning squeeze the flower & filter it & and then have it. Its taste is not so good but effective. Regular use will give you the best results. First, try only 5 flowers, then gradually increase to 8-12.

Home remedies for thyroid

Use cold pressed coconut oil as it contains medium chain TG, which improves thyroid function.
Take 2 tbsp of Apple Cider vinegar, mix little honey and drink this solution daily.
Omega 3 rich compounds like fish oil, fish oil supplements, flaxseeds, chia seeds reduce thyroid.
Licorice Herb: The use of Licorice herb helps to promote balance within the thyroid gland and also promote more energy levels in the body –keeping fatigue at bay. It contains triterpenoid glycyrrhetinic acid which may aid in stopping the growth of more invasive thyroid cancer cells.
Evening Primrose oil: This herb is full of Amino acids and these acids are critical for optimal thyroid health. They aid in improving thyroid function and alleviate the symptoms of an underactive thyroid, such as heavy menstrual periods and hair loss. Just a tablespoon a day is the general recommendation to decrease inflammation and promote thyroid health.
Ginseng: This herb helps to improve underactive thyroid and it can also address the fatigue that is associated with it. It is best to take one dose prior to lunch and another prior to breakfast–about 100-200mg each time.
Black walnut: This contains a high dose of iodine which is helpful for an underactive thyroid. You can have one –two of this nut.

Home remedies for acidity

Mix one tsp of baking soda in a glass of fresh water and drink.
After a meal pops up a piece of chewing gum for 30 min to relieve heartburn.

Natural antacid—full ripen banana acts as a buffer against acid reflux

Sipping a cup of ginger water lukewarm, soothes your tummy and acts as an acid buffer.
Being alkaline in nature, chewing 1 tsp of good quality yellow mustard helps to relieve acidity.
Chamomile tea flavoured with honey or lemon is a very good remedy.

1tbsp of Apple cider vinegar with a glass of water acts as a great antacid.

NOTE: These all remedies can be used with your current medications.

Let’s bring our natural food remedy into practice and keep levels under control along with practising a healthy lifestyle.