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A Game Developer’s New Game: Aditya Gaikwad’s Journey to Wellness

For years, he grappled with the burden of being overweight and the subsequent aches and pains. Owing to his hectic work schedule, he never focused on his health or did anything that was healthy. Unhealthy eating, drinking, and stress became the norm. Due to the persisting pain, he decided to turn his life around. Aditya Gaikwad, 39, is based in Pune and is a game developer, who defied the odds and took charge of his health before it was too late. Here is his inspiring story of perseverance and resilience. Discover the secrets behind his incredible transformation.

Life Before GOQii

Two and a half years ago, prior to joining GOQii, Aditya weighed 140 kgs. He led an absolutely bad lifestyle that consisted of an unhealthy diet, and drinking alcohol, both of which were coupled with mental stress, leading to aches and pains. So much so that he had to take painkillers daily. Although he was exercising, the results were not being achieved.

In March 2020, during the lockdown, he had chest pain, and that turned things around for Aditya. With COVID already looming over everyone’s heads, the lockdown was enough for Aditya to improve his health before it got out of hand. “The chest pain was a trigger enough for me to realize that I had to do something about my health,” said Aditya.

Introduction to GOQii & Making Lifestyle Changes 

In August 2020, he was gifted a GOQii watch by his brother. Aditya joined GOQii in February 2021 and started coaching in June 2021. At that point in time, Aditya weighed 133 kilograms. “As I started wearing the watch, I could see my step count. I figured one day I had walked 2 KM inside the house, and I did not even realize it. I did not do anything else other than walk. I was following the Happy Walk- exercise on YouTube, and my step counts were increasing, and I also started losing weight. My weight had decreased to 125 kgs.

He is thankful to his coach “She taught me the importance of a proper diet, says Aditya”. Aditya felt that if he had to improve his health, he had to listen to and take the coach seriously.

The coach slowly and steadily brought in the habits to follow and slowly and steadily cut down on certain foods. She added raagi and nachni to the food as alternative grains.

Having followed the coach’s advice has helped Aditya maintain a disciplined and less stressful lifestyle. He has completely stopped drinking alcohol and says he is very happy about it.

His family and friends are surprised at his dramatic change. He is now able to wear his favourite brand, Levis. The waist has reduced from 53’ to 40”. He has also taken to running now.

“For 35 years of my life I did nothing constructive to maintain my health and lifestyle. I am glad I am doing it now,” says Aditya.

What Are Coach Kinjal Lodaya Thoughts About Aditya Gaikwad’s Journey? 

Now he has come down to 103 kgs, he wakes up with high levels of refreshment daily, given up alcohol, hardly takes on any stress, meditates regularly, cooks for himself and family, and is able to manage time for hobbies, daily run, and exercise. He recovered from COVID pretty quickly and he was able to stay in ELITE even when he could not go for run and exercise for almost a month due to a small hairline fracture.

He is enjoying the healthy lifestyle habits he follows and the new self he has become. He confirms that he will never go back to his old lazy routines.

He takes part in all the challenges on GOQii be it healthy eating, 2022 km in 2022, etc.

Aditya’s inspiring journey is a testament to the incredible potential that lies within each of us to rewrite our health narratives. It demonstrates the power of dedication, resilience, and the guidance of a supportive community. If you or someone you know is on a similar health journey, share this article. Consider subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here for guidance and support.

For more motivating health stories, explore our collection here.

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The Importance Of Knowing If You’re Thirsty Or Hungry

thirsty or hungryAm I thirsty or hungry? That’s the question I have started asking myself when I get hunger pangs. This has happened to me quite often when I have just had a meal and I feel hungry within an hour. One day, I decided to conduct an experiment on myself wherein I just placed a glass of water and a bowl of almonds in front of me on my work desk and continued working. I had just finished my meal and was waiting for the hunger pang to hit me. I got the pang and before I reached out for the bowl of almonds, I grabbed the glass of water and gulped it down. Thereafter, I did not feel the need to eat the almonds.

Why Do We Confuse Thirst & Hunger? 

What exactly happened? Let’s get into the science behind it. There’s a little part in our brain called the hypothalamus which controls hunger, thirst and many other bodily functions and behaviors. Because hunger and thirst are controlled by the same area of the brain, it so happens that thirst produces a similar reaction in our body as hunger does. For instance, we get those grumbling and growling noises in the stomach or may start feeling dizzy or low on energy. In all probability, when we get the hunger feeling, we may not necessarily be hungry at all but that we’re actually thirsty! In fact, research shows that about 40% of people mistake thirst with hunger.

This confusion causes many people to overeat and put on those extra kilos. Therefore, it’s very essential to react wisely to save yourself from the extra load of calories. The best way to clear the confusion is, when you feel the hunger pangs creeping in an hour after a meal, rather than breaking into some snacks, drink a glass of water and hold on for 15 minutes as it might take that much time for the hypothalamus to send a signal to let the nervous system know that the body was just thirsty and that the thirst has been quenched. Then, you will not feel the need to eat and the growling and grumbling noises or the feeling of dizziness and weakness will be totally shooed away. In this way, you can also cut down on unwanted food intake/or unnecessary snacking which then gets stored as fat. But, if after 15 minutes you still feel hungry, then you ought to eat as you may be actually hungry.

Another interesting trick is that if you stay hydrated through the day, you won’t even get trapped in this cue-confusion dilemma. Because you know you have already satiated your thirst and you can be sure that the signals that you are getting are surely for hunger. I would say you must try both the experiments and check which one works the best for you. You see it’s absolutely essential to differentiate between the dilemma of thirst or hunger before we fall prey to overeating and gain weight.

We hope this article helps you differentiate between thirst or hunger. For more interesting articles on improving your health, check out Healthy Reads or for further guidance, reach out to our certified experts by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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Prioritizing Health: Kuntal Goswami’s Post-Pandemic Pursuit of Wellness

Kuntal Goswami - GOQii Health Stories

The COVID-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call for individuals to recognize the significance of their health and well-being. It prompted people to adopt healthier lifestyles, prioritize self-care, and be proactive in taking preventive measures to protect themselves and others. This is true for our player Kuntal Goswami, who, after the coronavirus hit India, realized how important it was for him to maintain and stay healthy. Let’s find out how he managed it.

Life Before GOQii: Kuntal’s Struggle with Health

Kuntal Goswami, 34, based in West Bengal, works in a power plant. His job entails sitting at the desk as well as stepping out for work. He also works shifts, due to which he has no daily routine. His lifestyle was bad. He says, “I had bad eating habits. I would eat anything with no proper portion control and no exercise routine, and I had started gaining weight. I weighed 84 kg. My blood pressure was also on the higher side. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, that I realized I had to alter and bring about a change in my health.”

Identifying the Issue & Making Lifestyle Changes: Kuntal’s Journey to Wellness

Kuntal started searching for smartwatches on Amazon and found GOQii. Prior to that, he had seen the Akshay Kumar ad, which further prompted him to purchase the GOQii smartwatch.

Kuntal was happy with coach Nabanita Das’s call, and the first goal that he fixed with the coach was to lose weight, lower his BP issues, and reduce the dosage of medication.

Coach Nabanita’s Insights: The Transformation of Kuntal Goswami

Initially, the coach set 3-4 new habits for Kuntal to follow. “When I started coaching, Kuntal weighed 84 kg, his HRA was 67, his BMI was 30.1, his waistline area was 38 inches, and his BP was 119/79 mm of Hg (with medication). I set his step target to begin with at 6000 steps and ensured that he was able to complete 6k steps daily,” says coach Nabanita Das. Thereafter, the coach introduced detox water and added protein to his diet. Kuntal says within 3 months he started seeing results for the better.

A Remarkable Transformation: Kuntal’s Success Story

“Though it was challenging for him to maintain his routine due to his shifting duty, I gave him a diet that can be carried, is easily available, and is loaded with good nutrients. In addition, he booked and joined pro classes and reached a minimum 15 k steps on a daily basis,” says the coach.

Kuntal’s endless efforts and discipline helped him achieve what he aimed for. Following a total of 118 habits and listening to his coach, in the last 2 years, he has lost 19 kg of weight healthily. His current weight is 65 kg, his waistline area is 32 inches, his BMI is 22.5, and his HRA score is 86 now. That is not all, his BP is under control, and the doctor has prescribed a lower dose of medicine to control his BP. “We are now waiting to see how soon the medicine can be stopped,” says Nabanita.

The coach credits her player and says, “ Kuntal has been a great learner. It requires some sacrifices, discipline, consistency, and determination to achieve the health goal that Kuntal had set for himself. “It’s commendable how he has done it.”

Walking, yoga, meditation, and having a properly balanced diet have all become routines and part of his life now.  When asked how Kuntal feels now, he says, “I feel very confident in myself. Thanks to GOQii, it has helped me lose weight through small but sure lifestyle changes. My outlook towards life has changed.”

Kuntal has now become an advocate of a healthy lifestyle and has recommended and suggested to his colleagues to modify their lifestyles and stay healthy.

In conclusion, the remarkable journey of Kuntal in transforming his lifestyle and achieving lasting health is a testament to his unwavering dedication and hard work put forth. By embracing positive changes and making conscious choices, Kuntal has not only improved his physical well-being but also demonstrated the power of determination and self-discipline. His inspiring story serves as a shining example of how personal growth and perseverance can lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

If you suffer from similar issues or know someone who does, share this article with them and subscribe to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

Find more inspiring health stories here.

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2 Breathing Techniques For Better Sleep

breathing techniques for better sleep

Do you have trouble getting sleep despite the fact that you are tired? Sleeping well is an art. It needs a perfect blend of healthy habits and control of mind. A clean body and mind, relaxed mood, physical exercises, and perfect dietary control are some of the basic sleep-inducing methods. However, one of the best ways to bring the body into its relaxed state is – BREATHING! How do breathing techniques for better sleep work? Let’s find out!

Breathing Techniques For Better Sleep

Breathing deeply has been proven to affect the heart, the brain, digestion, the immune system and even the expression of genes. Research has shown that breathing exercises like Pranayama can have immediate effects by altering the pH of the blood, or changing blood pressure. But, more importantly, they can be used as a method to train the body’s reaction to stressful situations and dampen the production of harmful stress hormones and help induce sleep.

Here are 2 important breathing methods to calm the mind and induce sleep naturally.

1.  The 4-7-8 Technique

How To Do It?
This process is recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil, a practitioner and teacher of integrative medicine for the last thirty years. To do this exercise, sit up in bed with your back straight or lie down on a straight back and press the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth right behind your front teeth. Maintaining that position, close your mouth and inhale through your nose for four counts, hold that breath for seven counts, and then exhale through your mouth around your tongue for eight counts. Repeat this pattern until you have completed four full breaths.

How It Works?
The 4-7-8 breathing technique is effective because it encourages the fast removal of carbon dioxide. Doing so equates into a better preservation of the bicarbonate pool; our reservoirs for helping maintain an appropriate pH balance. Also, it allows the lungs to become fully charged with air, allowing more oxygen into the body, which promotes a state of calm.

2. Left Nostril Breathing 

How To Do It?
Simply take your right hand and with your fingers outstretched, block off your right nostril by putting gentle pressure on it with your right thumb.  Be sure to keep the rest of your fingers straight and pointing up. With a long, slow, deep breath, gently inhale through your left nostril.  Then, just as gently, exhale long, slowly and completely, again through the left nostril. Do this for at least 3 minutes; chances are you might doze of even before that!

How It Works?
When we’re under stress or feeling anxious, we tend to breathe mostly out of our right nostril, which is connected to our left brain. This activates our sympathetic nervous system, the channel responsible for the classic stress response – dilated pupils, increased core temperature, sweating, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. And when we start breathing through the left nostril the parasympathetic system gets activated which slows us down and helps our body automatically run its day to day jobs of digestion, elimination, sleep cycles and more.

Apart from these 2 breathing techniques for better sleep, you can also try meditation or mindfulness by just observing your breath as it goes in and as it comes out. Connecting with this rise and fall of the breath, and noticing where you feel that breath move within the body can help you begin the process of relaxing tense muscles and create a coherent heart pattern which brings an instant state of tranquil and helps you drift off to peaceful deep sleep.

We hope this article helps you sleep better! Do you meditate before you go to bed? What helps you sleep better? Leave your thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on sleep, check out Healthy Reads or you can get tips directly from a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

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Transforming Health and Life: Dhiren Matani’s Inspirational Journey to Wellness

In the face of persistent health challenges, Dhiren Matani, (43), an entrepreneur from Mumbai, embarked on a journey of resilience and transformation. Battling weight issues and a heart condition for some years, he refused to succumb to the daunting odds. Through sheer determination, he took control of his health at the right time by adopting […]

A Game Developer’s New Game: Aditya Gaikwad’s Journey to Wellness

For years, he grappled with the burden of being overweight and the subsequent aches and pains. Owing to his hectic work schedule, he never focused on his health or did anything that was healthy. Unhealthy eating, drinking, and stress became the norm. Due to the persisting pain, he decided to turn his life around. Aditya […]

Prioritizing Health: Kuntal Goswami’s Post-Pandemic Pursuit of Wellness

The COVID-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call for individuals to recognize the significance of their health and well-being. It prompted people to adopt healthier lifestyles, prioritize self-care, and be proactive in taking preventive measures to protect themselves and others. This is true for our player Kuntal Goswami, who, after the coronavirus hit India, realized […]