About Palak Mittal

Palak Mittal works as a clinical nutritionist and has had the distinction of being a topper in Delhi University. She prompts all her clients to move towards the healthy lifestyle by simply modifying their eating behaviour. As a result, most have reduced fat and improved their medical conditions such as diabetes, Thyroid, PCOD, etc. Recently, she was awarded the Best Dietitian and Nutritionist in Meerut by Prime Time Research Media. She not only helps others to take up a healthy lifestyle but, she herself follows one. Her fitness mantra is ‘Eat to be fit, not to be fat’

December 20, 2022 By Palak Mittal Leave a Comment

Why Do We Feel Hungrier During Winter?

It’s normal to find a nice thick blanket, cozy up to a pillow and snack away on something warm to quell those hunger pangs that don’t seem to end during winter. This is often complemented with sudden weight gain and you’re left wondering where that excess weight came from. Well, there are several reasons for feeling hungrier during winter and we’re about to explore them.

Reasons for Feeling Hungrier During Winter

High metabolism: During winter, our metabolism is quite high as the body tries to keep itself warm due to those teeth sputtering chill. The body produces more heat in order to combat the chill outside which is known as thermogenesis. To carry out this function, it requires extra calories which get burnt during the process, hence need extra food.
Food Produces Heat: In cold weather, our body needs more calories to keep itself warm with the help of some involuntary activities like shivering. Hence, the body craves more food. When these extra calories start burning, it makes the body warm. Here, we need to remember not to satisfy the cravings with high sugar or high-fat foods as they raise blood sugar levels causing weight gain.
Winter Comes With Multiple Choices: It’s the best time of the year for multiple reasons. One of those being food! Vegetables and fruits flood the markets. Plus, a lot of winter recipes are prepared with rich ingredients which induce weight gain. One can’t help but indulge in sweets this season brings. Not feeling hungry is definitely not an option
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): As the days are shorter, we generally prefer staying indoors which can lead to Vitamin D deficiency and also lower levels of serotonin (happy hormone which generates because of exposure to daylight). These deficiencies typically causes Seasonal Emotional Disturbance or Seasonal Affective Disorder – SAD : a sort of depression related to the shorter days of winter, which affects many of us. It is seen that individuals stricken from SAD crave more carbohydrates, as these facilitate the body’s use of tryptophan (amino acid) which can be converted into serotonin to spike up lower levels in the blood.
Lazy Mornings: It becomes really difficult to get out of your cozy bed during winter mornings to go out for a walk, workout or even work. People prefer lying comfortably in bed, watching a TV show while binging on snacks endlessly. This increase in snacking and lack of physical activity make us gain extra kilos.

Tips to Avoid Eating More

Whenever you crave for food, try choosing some healthy options like salads, soups, sautéed veggies combined with proteins as these are high in fibre and gives a feeling of fullness.
Go out during the day to expose your body to the sun for some vitamin D and to boost your serotonin levels.
Perform your regular exercises as it helps in boosting your mood and avoids indulgence in unnecessary snacking.
Go out with friends or play with a pet if you are stressed. Don’t look at food as an alternative coping mechanism.

The bottom line is – eat mindfully and enjoy winters! We hope this article helps you make healthier choices. For more winter tips, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

October 3, 2022 By Palak Mittal 2 Comments

Exercise Hacks To Stay Fit At Home

We’re almost at the end of monsoons but with a decent amount of heavy rainfall still out there, we can understand if you’re worried about stepping out to hit the gym. Don’t let that general lethargy of being home get you down. If you’re worried about getting that workout burn, we’ve got some exercise hacks that will get your blood pumping!

Exercise Hacks to Consider

Brooming & Mopping the Floor: With no maids to aid you, this is a task you’ll have to do yourself. Sweeping and mopping has its own benefits. For one, it can be used as a workout if done in a squat position and two, cleaning the whole house will keep your activity levels up!
Water Bottles: can be used as dumbbells for your regular exercises. Exercises which simply can be done with water bottles are squat with a front raise along with lunges. Ensure your knees don’t go beyond your toes when you squat or lunge. Then biceps can be trained by doing front raises, side raises, curls, etc.
Wall Sits: Walls of your living room can be utilised to train or tone the body. With the back flat against the wall, arms straight, try to sit as if sitting on a chair and hold yourself for 30-60 secs or more if possible. Slowly and gradually increase the holding time. This is a good exercise for glutes.
Staircase Workout: Now, with the staircase, we have a number of exercises that can be done:
1. Stair Jogging: Start climbing stairs as if you are jogging, then come back down but keep your knees soft. Repeat for 3-4 times.
2. Box Jump: Keeping feet shoulder-width apart, jump off the ground with both feet on the step into a squat position (knees should be bent to better absorb the shock of that jump), step down one foot after the other. Do 10 reps or more if needed.
3. Bent Knee Push-ups: Simple push-ups by assuming yourself in a push up position with bent knees and feet crossed at back. Keeping your head, neck and back in one line. Slowly lower yourself towards the stair bending your elbows. Then push back to the starting position. Inhale as you go down and exhale on your way up.
4. Mountain Climbers: In a plank position with hands firmly on the stair and head, neck and spine is in a straight line. Bring each thigh towards the chest one by one, keeping knees towards the elbow.
Blanket Battle Ropes: Hold the both ends of your blanket in each hand and move your arms in an up-down motion for a minute by bending your knees. Ensure your knees don’t extend beyond your toes. Keep your head, neck and spine in a straight line.

Apart from these easy exercise hacks, you can also try yoga, Surya Namaskar and other body weight exercises to keep yourself active. Variations and other home workouts for everything mentioned in this article can also be found on GOQii Play – demonstrated by fitness experts.

You can also read up more about home workouts on Healthy Reads or tune in to live classes on GOQii PRO where our experts will guide you on the correct form, posture and make sure that you are well motivated! You can book a class now from the GOQii App.

#BeTheForce

August 11, 2022 By Palak Mittal 1 Comment

5 Foods That Will Help You Avoid Acidity

Day in and day out, most of us experience acidity due to an erratic lifestyle, wrong postures, no time to have meals, eating junk or spicy food outside. Acidity is also known as heartburn. Do you know why? Because it actually feels like your chest is on fire! Acidity can be a serious mood killer in any circumstance and it can happen to anybody irrespective of age. So exactly can you avoid acidity? Before we answer that, let’s look at some common triggers:

Staying on empty stomach for too long
Having too many cups of tea or coffee a day
Spicy roadside food
Deep fried oily food
Junk food consumption containing refined flour
Frequent restaurant visits

What Can You Do To Avoid Acidity?

To avoid acidity, you need to first avoid the above triggers. You can also try these 5 foods below which help in relieving acidity.

Bananas: This fruit is easily available throughout the year. Its high fiber content strengthens the digestive system. Pectin, found in bananas, moves the residues through the digestive tract which actually helps one avoid acidity.
Ginger: is a natural treatment for acidity due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger juice can be extracted and 2-3 drops or 1tsp of ginger juice can be consumed as ginger shot post meals to relieve acidity. Another way to consume ginger is by making ginger tea.
Yogurt: also has a soothing effect on our digestive system as it helps coating the lining of the digestive tract. Also it contains probiotics which are healthy gut bacteria that aid digestion. Consuming curd/yogurt is a proven remedy for acid reflux.
Aloe Vera: not only soothes the skin but our gut as well. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps you avoid acidity. Drink 5-10ml of aloe vera juice everyday on an empty stomach for good results.
Saunf (fennel seeds): are loaded with anti-inflammatory properties and they also aid good digestion, reducing the symptoms of acidity easily. Consume about 1tsp of saunf post meals. It will not only improve digestion, but also help you fight against acidity. It works great as a good mouth freshener too.

So keep these easily available foods ready with you to avoid acidity. Do remember to avoid the triggers as well, as prevention is always better than cure. We hope this article helps you. If you’re suffering from acidity, try them out and let us know your experience in the comments below.

For more home remedies on acidity, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce

July 18, 2022 By Palak Mittal 1 Comment

5 Reasons Why You Need to Begin Weight Training Now!

We all want that lean body, six-packs and look absolutely stunning all the time. But, the one thing that always gets in the way is excess fat! It never leaves us, clinging on to the body like moss on stone. The funny part is that no matter how much you sweat on cardio, it doesn’t seem to help. Before you begin thinking there is no absolute solution, let me ask you if you’ve heard of weight training?

Before I get to telling you how weight training helps, let’s clear some misconceptions. It is a myth that weight training only bulks you up. People believe that one becomes heavy and bulky, especially women but that’s not true. Don’t worry, it won’t turn you into the Hulk. Secondly, for weight loss people often turn to cardio while neglecting weight training but that’s not the right route to go. Want to know why?

5 Benefits of Weight Training

It Makes You Burn Fat: When you lift weights, you will be building muscles. Muscles require less space than fat. A person with more muscles may weigh the same as that of a person with more fat but the muscular person will definitely look much skinnier and toned.
Protection From Injuries: Weight lifting makes the skeletal system strong. Not only bones, but muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues as well. Strengthening these helps in preventing injuries and also reduces the risk for osteoporosis as it strengthens the bones too!
Major Boost to Self-Confidence: Lifting weights improves overall physique of both men and women by building more lean muscle. It improves one’s body image. Imagine seeing a leaner and toned you in the mirror. Wouldn’t that boost your self-confidence? This in essence means you will have more energy, less stress, anxiety and depression. Indirectly, it is a good way to boost your mental health as well.
Fights Insomnia: Weight training is exhausting! Once you’re done, you’ll sleep like a baby. If one is suffering from insomnia or finding it difficult to fall asleep, then weight training is the way to go! Cardio or any exercise helps but lifting weights is like a cherry on the cake. Just get up and hit the gym!
Improves Flexibility, Stability and Balance: Lifting weights improves joint mobility through a full range of motion. It makes your joints flexible and strong. This in turn improves posture and provides the necessary stamina to perform basic activities such as walking, running and even performing other exercises and tasks including cardiovascular exercises.

You don’t even need a gym. You can literally lift weights at home too. If you haven’t thought of beginning your weight training journey, start now and get ready to see some positive change. To get a head start, join some online classes on GOQii Pro within the GOQii App and get the right guidance and motivation from certified experts in real time.

We hope this article motivates you to begin your weight training journey today. For more on Fitness, check out Healthy Reads. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below!

#BeTheForce