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April 7, 2025 By GOQii Leave a Comment

Put Your Fat on Flame with Interval Training

We all want to lose fat — but when it comes to taking action, the usual excuses show up:
“No time!”
“Too hard!”
“Same routine gets boring!”

It’s time to ditch the excuses and ignite your fitness with a workout that’s quick, dynamic, and highly effective — Interval Training.

What Is Interval Training?

Interval training is a style of workout that alternates bursts of high-intensity effort with periods of lower-intensity recovery. This method pushes your cardiovascular system to work harder in short intervals, burning more calories in less time compared to steady-state exercise.

Think of it as a cardio blast with rest built in — making it manageable yet highly effective.

How Does It Work?

When you alternate intensity during exercise, it creates what’s known as “muscle confusion” — your body doesn’t get used to a single pace. Here’s what happens:

  • Your heart rate increases rapidly
  • More oxygen is delivered to your muscles
  • Fat combustion improves significantly in the presence of oxygen

Think of it like this: just as a candle stops burning when you cut off oxygen, fat burn requires oxygen too. Interval training enhances oxygen supply and boosts fat oxidation — making it a favourite in fat loss routines.

Examples of Interval Training You Can Try

You can apply interval training to almost any type of physical activity. Here are a few easy ways to begin:

Activity Interval Format
Walking Walk fast for 2 minutes, then slow for 1 minute — repeat
Running Run for 2 minutes, walk for 1 minute — repeat
Swimming Alternate fast laps with slow-paced strokes
Cycling Sprint on your bike for 30 seconds, then pedal slowly for 1 minute
Strength Exercises (e.g. Tabata) 20 seconds of intense work, 10 seconds rest, repeated 8 times per round

You can also use interval training for dance workouts, skipping, stairs, HIIT circuits, and more. The options are endless — and you set the pace based on your fitness level.

Key Guidelines for Safe and Effective Interval Training

  • ✅ Warm up for at least 5–10 minutes before starting
  • ✅ Push yourself beyond your comfort zone during high-intensity bursts
  • ✅ Cool down and stretch after every session
  • 🚫 Avoid if you have chronic conditions (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular illness) — check with your doctor first
  • 🧘 Start slow if you’re new to exercise — begin with steady-state cardio for a few weeks before adding intervals

💡 Tip: Once a week is a great way to begin integrating interval training into your routine. As your fitness improves, increase frequency or intensity gradually.

Interval training is one of the most time-efficient ways to burn fat, improve stamina, and keep workouts exciting. No more excuses — just smarter workouts.

So, lace up your shoes, pick your activity, and start torching fat one interval at a time.

Disclaimer: If you have any medical conditions or haven’t exercised in a while, consult your physician or a certified trainer before beginning interval training.

April 7, 2025 By GOQii Leave a Comment

What is High-Intensity Interval Training?

HIIT, or High-Intensity Interval Training, is a training technique where you give all-out, one hundred percent effort through quick, intense bursts of exercise, followed by short, sometimes active, recovery periods.

This type of training gets your heart rate up and keeps it up, which helps burn more fat in less time. The key is the ratio of intense work to recovery. A great starting point for beginners is a 1:2 work-to-rest ratio (e.g., 30 seconds of work followed by 60 seconds of rest). As you get fitter, you can progress to a more challenging 1:1 ratio (e.g., 30 seconds of work, 30 seconds of rest).

Because it’s so intense, it’s best to do HIIT 2-3 times per week on non-consecutive days to allow your body to recover. While the principles of HIIT can be adapted for many fitness levels, it’s always a good idea to consult with a doctor before starting, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions.

A Quick & Correct HIIT Routine to Follow

This beginner-friendly routine uses a 1:1 work-to-rest ratio for a great cardio challenge. If you find it too difficult at first, simply increase your rest time to 60 seconds after each exercise.

  1. Warm-Up (5 minutes) Never skip the warm-up.
  • Jogging in place (2 minutes)
  • Arm circles (30 seconds forward, 30 seconds back)
  • Leg swings (30 seconds per leg)
  • Bodyweight squats (10-12 reps)
  1. The HIIT Workout (12 Minutes) Perform each exercise at maximum effort for 30 seconds, followed by 30 seconds of rest. Complete the full circuit two times.
  • WORK: 30 seconds of High Knees
  • REST: 30 seconds of marching or walking in place
  • WORK: 30 seconds of Jumping Jacks
  • REST: 30 seconds of marching or walking in place
  • WORK: 30 seconds of Burpees (or Squat Thrusts for a lower-impact option)
  • REST: 30 seconds of marching or walking in place
  • WORK: 30 seconds of Mountain Climbers
  • REST: 30 seconds of marching or walking in place

After completing all four exercises, rest for 1-2 minutes, then repeat the entire circuit one more time.

  1. Cool-Down (5 minutes) Don’t forget to stretch after your workout.
  • Quad Stretch: Hold for 30 seconds per leg.
  • Hamstring Stretch: Hold for 30 seconds per leg.
  • Calf Stretch: Hold for 30 seconds per leg.
  • Chest Stretch: Hold for 30 seconds.

Intensity is the key. Push yourself during high-effort intervals and use recovery periods to catch your breath without coming to a complete stop.

Important Tips Before You Begin

  • Start slow and safe if you’re new to exercise
  • Maintain proper form and posture to avoid injury
  • Stay hydrated
  • Warm up before and cool down after each session
  • If you have any medical conditions (especially heart, joint, or respiratory concerns), consult your doctor first

Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only. Always consult with a doctor, physiotherapist, or certified trainer before starting a new fitness program.

March 26, 2025 By GOQii Leave a Comment

Decode Your Food: How to Read Labels and Make Smarter Choices

Walking down the supermarket aisle, you’re bombarded with choices—”low fat,” “high protein,” “sugar-free,” “natural.” But what do these claims really mean? How do you know if a product is genuinely healthy or just smartly marketed? The answer lies in the fine print: the food label.

Reading food labels can feel like cracking a code, but once you know what to look for, it becomes second nature—and empowers you to make healthier, smarter decisions for yourself and your family.

Let’s break it down into simple, actionable steps with a few nutritionist-approved pro tips!

  1. Start With the Ingredients List 📝

This is where the truth of the product lies. Ingredients are listed in order of quantity, from most to least. If sugar, salt, or refined flour are among the first three, it’s a red flag.

  • Choose products with whole, recognisable ingredients.
  • Fewer ingredients usually mean less processing.

💡 Pro Tip: Ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, maltose, dextrose, or anything ending in “-ose” are forms of sugar. The same goes for hydrogenated oils, which signal unhealthy trans fats.

  1. Serving Size vs. Reality 🍿

The label might say 120 calories per serving—but what’s a serving? 5 crackers? Half a chocolate bar? Often, the serving size is much smaller than what we typically consume.

  • Always check the number of servings per package.
  • If you eat double the serving size, you’re getting double the calories, fat, and sugar.

💡 Pro Tip: For single-serve snacks, don’t assume the whole pack is one serving. Check to avoid underestimating your intake.

  1. Understanding Nutrition Per 100g vs. Per Serving 📊

Many labels show nutrition per 100g and per serving.

  • Use per 100g to compare products easily.
  • Use per serving to track your intake.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re comparing two products, always use the per 100g column to avoid being misled by serving sizes that vary between brands.

  1. Know Your Daily Reference Intakes (RI) 📅

Labels often list percentages of nutrients based on a daily reference intake (also called Daily Value). These help you understand how much of a nutrient you’re getting per portion.

  • Aim for high %RI in fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
  • Aim for low %RI in saturated fat, sugar, and salt.

💡 Pro Tip: A %RI of 5% or less is low; 20% or more is high. Use this to gauge whether a food is helping or hindering your goals.

  1. Nutrients to Prioritise ✅

  • Fibre: Go for 3g or more per serving. Fibre keeps you full, supports digestion, and stabilises blood sugar.
  • Protein: Helps with satiety and muscle maintenance—look for at least 5-10g per serving in snacks.
  • Vitamins & Minerals: Check for iron, calcium, vitamin D, and B vitamins. These often get overlooked!
  1. Nutrients to Watch Out For ⚠️

  • Added Sugars: Ideally less than 5g per serving. Sugar is often hidden in “healthy” foods like yoghurt and granola.
  • Saturated Fat: Keep this below 1.5g per 100g for a healthy heart.
  • Salt (Sodium): Aim for less than 0.3g per 100g. High salt intake can raise blood pressure.

💡 Pro Tip: Some products list sodium instead of salt. Multiply sodium by 2.5 to get the salt equivalent.

  1. Don’t Fall for Buzzwords ❌

“Natural,” “low fat,” “no added sugar”—these claims can be misleading.

  • “Low fat” might mean high sugar.
  • “No added sugar” doesn’t mean sugar-free—fruit concentrates count!
  • “Gluten-free” doesn’t mean healthy—many such products are high in fat or sugar.
  1. Example: Comparing Two Granola Bars 🍫 vs. 🥜

Nutrient

Bar A Bar B
Calories 200 160
Sugar 12g 5g
Fibre 2g 5g
Protein 3g 6g

✔ Bar B wins—lower sugar, higher fibre and protein, fewer calories. Always check beyond the front label!

Understanding food labels helps you cut through the noise, take control of your health, and make empowered choices. It’s not about perfection—it’s about making informed swaps that add up over time.

Next time you shop, take a closer look. Your future self will thank you for every smarter bite.

💬 Do you check labels regularly? What’s the biggest surprise you’ve found? Let us know in the comments!

#BeTheForce

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

March 10, 2025 By Asmita Maredia 4 Comments

Sitting for Hours? Try These Simple Office Workouts to Stay Active!

office workoutHow many hours do you spend sitting each day? If you work a desk job, the answer is probably too many! The average office worker sits for 6-10 hours daily, which can lead to back pain, fatigue, poor posture, and increased health risks such as obesity and heart disease. But don’t worry—staying active at your desk is easier than you think!

Even if you go to the gym, prolonged sitting can still take a toll on your body. These simple office workouts will help you keep your body moving and your mind refreshed without leaving your desk.

Office Workouts You Can Do at Your Desk

1.Walk & Move More

  • Set an alarm every 45 minutes to stand up and move. Aim for at least 1-2 minutes of movement during each break.
  • Walk to fill your water bottle, use the printer, or take a quick break.
  • Take the stairs instead of the lift – two at a time for extra burn!
  • If possible, pace around while on phone calls.

2. Neck & Shoulder Stretches

  • Neck Stretch: Tilt your head to one side and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 5 times on each side.
  • Head Rotation: Slowly roll your head clockwise and anti-clockwise 5 times.
  • Shoulder Shrug: Raise your shoulders as high as possible, hold for 5 seconds, then relax.

3. Arm & Wrist Exercises

  • Arm Stretch: Cross one arm over your body and pull it towards you with the other hand.
  • Triceps Stretch: Place one hand behind your neck and pull your elbow with the other hand.
  • Wrist Rotations: Roll your wrists 10 times clockwise and anti-clockwise.
  • Finger Stretch: Extend fingers as far as possible, hold for 5 seconds, then make a tight fist and hold for another 5 seconds. Repeat 5 times.

4. Back & Posture Fixers

  • Seated Back Stretch: Place your hands on the edge of your desk and push your chair back until your head is between your arms, looking at the floor. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 5 times.
  • Overhead Stretch: Interlock your fingers, stretch your arms towards the ceiling, and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 5 times.

5.  Leg & Lower Body Movements

  • Seated Leg Raises: Straighten one leg, hold for 5 seconds, lower halfway and hold again, then relax. Repeat with the other leg 5 times each.
  • Thigh Stretch: Stand, grab your ankle and pull it towards your buttocks. Keep your back straight and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times on each leg.
  • Calf Stretch: Place one foot on a chair and bend forward until you feel the stretch. Hold for 5 seconds and switch legs.

More Office Workout Tips To Keep You Active! 

  • Use a standing desk if available to reduce prolonged sitting.
  • Maintain good posture—sit with your back straight and feet flat on the floor.
  • Consider an exercise ball instead of a chair for better core engagement.
  • Park further away from the office entrance to increase your walking time.
  • When you can—stand rather than sit, and walk rather than stand!

These simple office workouts help reduce muscular stress, improve posture, and keep you active throughout the day. Even small movements can make a big difference to your health and productivity.

💡 Try to avoid long sitting hours by taking short breaks and staying active! If you experience any pain, here’s what you can do to prevent further injuries.

💬 How do you stay active at work? Share your tips in the comments!

#BeTheForce 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health. Images shown are for representation purposes only and may not depict the exact recommendations or outcomes.

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