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To enjoy a good and healthy life in the future, one must exercise

Kartik Aknur

If you are not a morning person, getting up for any reason-leave alone for a workout that too on a Sunday morning can be a terrible ordeal but, for Kartik Aknur from Bengaluru, it’s a refreshing change to wake up early and go for a group workout session.

Karthik Aknur credits GOQii for his change and him achieving his health and fitness goals. He has been exercising for the last 5 years but, to no avail. His weight never changed and he was not mindful of his eating habits. Having a personal coach who through her constant monitoring and guidance helped him bring about a discipline in his food habits and daily fitness activities. The results were there for all to see-Karthik lost 10 kgs in 6 months. His daily step count currently varies from 10000 to 12000 steps daily. The one aspect that comes out clearly is one cannot achieve their health goals if they are not disciplined and self-motivated. Karthik’s idea of going for a community workout session on a Sunday morning is to meet with other active and fit people. According to him, it’s a good way to learn new exercises, meet people from varied walks of life and break the monotonous exercise regime that he was following. His message to all is, “Nature has created this fantastic concept called LIFE. Respect your body, feed it only when it is required. Be cautious in your food intake with regular exercise”.

 

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Tennis Elbow: Symptoms, management and its prevention

How often have you heard or read in news about a sportsman suffering a tennis elbow or your friend saying I am suffering a tennis elbow? Many a time I am sure. But, are you aware of what is ‘Tennis Elbow’ and how can you prevent it. 

The elbow is known as the “funny bone” but if you suffer from tennis or golfer’s elbow, the pain you undergo when you hit the elbow is unbearable.

Tennis elbow can be caused by sudden injury of the muscle and tendon area around the outside of the elbow where the muscles and tendons of the forearm attach to the outside bony area- the lateral epicondyle of the elbow. Another common term, “golfer’s elbow,” refers to the same process occurring on the inside of the elbow called as medial epicondyle. It does not happen with the sportspersons only, it’s just the term which is referred to the sport as it can be a significant problem for some tennis players.

What Are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?

  • Pain around the outside of the elbow.
  • Pain is worse by moving the wrist with force. Examples include lifting, using tools, opening jars, or even handling simple utensils such as rolling pin, using a toothbrush or knife and fork.

How do you manage a Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is treated primarily by physiotherapy which includes some exercises of forearm and wrist along with their strengthening progressively, bracing for resting the muscles, topical anti-inflammatory gels, topical steroid gels, and steroid injections. Surgery is needed in rare cases.

Immediate line of treatment to reduce the pain and inflammation of tennis elbow should be:

  • Rest
  • Avoid any activity that causes pain.
  • Apply ice to the affected area. Holding a cold compress, such as a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, against your elbow for a few minutes several times a day can help ease the pain.
  • Massaging and manipulating the affected area may help relieve the pain and stiffness, and improve the range of movement.

Exercises:

It is important to maintain the fitness levels with performing some light exercises like:

  • Aerobic exercises like walking, running or jogging that are good for overall fitness
  • Gentle stretching exercises can help in rehabilitating the elbow and some of the good exercises for tennis elbow include gentle wrist extensions, flexes and rotations, wrist curls and extensions with the help of light dumbles.
  • Isometric exercises such as squeezing a ball, are also a good cure for tennis elbow.

Tennis Elbow prevention through nutrition

Apart from the above-mentioned treatment options, it is also important to support the connective tissues’ health with nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory food:

  • Have plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables daily in your diet.
  • Consumption of Pineapples is beneficial as they are rich in vitamin C that helps in building collagen. They are also rich in bromelain, which contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce pain and swelling caused by tennis elbow.
  • Having good quality protein which contains a high biological value like eggs, lean meat which serves as the “building blocks” for tissue repair.
  • Having supplements with vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc and copper.
  • Having anti-inflammatory foods and supplements such as barley, ginger, curcumin, omega 3 rich foods like fish such as mackerel and salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds etc.
  • Limit the intake of processed and canned foods and sugar.

Precautions to be taken

To help lessen the stress and abuse on tennis elbow:

  • Use the proper equipment and technique in sports.
  • Use of a counter-force brace, an elastic band that wraps around the forearm just below the injured elbow (tendon) may help to relieve pain in some people.
  • Avoid tight gripping and overuse of the wrist.

 

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Being Active on a Sunday

 active sunday on the beach

Active Sunday on a beach 

Sunday’s are generally considered the day to laze around. But, did you know that it is actually the first day of the week and not the last day. Yes! You heard me right Sundays are the first day of the week. Hence, being active on the first day of the week keeps you going for the rest of the week.

GOQii introduced the concept of ‘Active Sunday’ 3 years ago. In Active Sunday, GOQii players are invited for a one-hour active work out session in the outdoor with the expert trainers and coaches of GOQii. This movement is not only for the players but it is seeing active participation from GOQii employees and the CEO Vishal Gondal himself being present and exercising with all. The movement caught on and we had many users who resonated with this thought process. This prompted us to get some of our regular attendees to take charge and start their own Active Sunday chapters in their vicinity.

Swarup Chougule, a regular at Active Sunday for the last 2 years says, “Active Sunday is the most fruitful way of engaging yourself on a Sunday. The nice chill in the air and gentle sunlight sets the mood for a good training routine. We meet many like-minded people and the group keeps motivating each other to stay healthy. The concept fits perfectly into the idea of a ‘Healthy Community Life’”.

Sundays have never been better Swarup training with Goqii at Active Sunday

Sundays have never been better Swarup training with Goqii at Active Sunday

Similarly, Anitha Rao, an active GOQii player in her 50s can give youngsters a run for their money. She is more active and energetic than most half her age. While in Mumbai Anitha, used to look forward to Active Sunday session where she could meet likely minded people. “This is much needed. Most people are too stressed out and at times lonely and shy too. They just need a bit of push and motivation to get out of their comfort zone. Also, each one is unique and one can learn from one and other. Anitha has been leading active Sunday’s in Bengaluru and is our first woman GOQii Champion.

anitha 1

Anitha’s Active Sunday ranges from walking, running, swimming, yoga and trekking 

Research indicates that exercising is good for health. As per ACSM (American College of Sports and Medicine) guidelines, a person must involve himself in physical activities at least 3 days a week. The benefits are divided into three categories Physical, mental and social benefits. Exercise helps to strengthen the heart and the cardiovascular system. It improves blood circulation, as a result, it lowers the risk of heart attack and strokes.

For the regular like Swarup and Anitha, it is their self-motivation to remain healthy and fit that drives them to be active even on a Sunday. Anitha has been championing the cause of Active Sunday in Bengaluru and has already conducted two active Sundays with GOQii players there.

The early start on Sunday morning creates ample time to connect better with the family and the community at large. The benefits of Active Sunday are many. “It is not just a workout session, but a complete package with deep interaction with people aspiring for a quality life,” says Swarup.

Being active on the first day of the week brightens and cheers you up. Everyone attending the Active Sunday is pumped up and raring to go for the rest of the day/week. “The other advantage is that it is a great way to meet like-minded people with similar or some varied interests, there is an exchange of ideas and you can learn from one another and expand your horizon,” says Anitha.

Bhavik shah

         Bhavik from Pune loves cycling as an activity on a Sunday  

Bhavik Shah, an active player of GOQii from Pune who is a runner and a cyclist thinks that active Sunday is a great kick-start to an otherwise lazy Sunday. He adds,”There are many reasons why I like being active on a Sunday as well, one of the primary reason being ‘Self Love via Self Care’. Apart from the obvious benefits, most people are already aware, exercise has been touted as a cure for just about anything that ails you. Frequent colds? Exercise. Poor digestion? Exercise. Feel depressed? Exercise”. Bhavik has taken the lead to conduct active Sunday workout session in his vicinity.

Lastly, the other big draw of Active Sunday is the picturesque locations where it is conducted. Sometimes it is a large park, sometimes on a beach and sometimes on the promenade along the sea. With a lot of positive energy all around, the benefits of working out in such locations multiply exponentially and more people are likely to join the regime. “There is a lot of physical and emotional contentment when we conduct an Active Sunday and encourage others to be active,” concluded Swarup.

Give their enthusiasm to help others and motivate others to get active on a Sunday, Swarup and Anitha have been inducted as GOQii champions to take this positive movement of forward in their respective cities of Mumbai and Bengaluru.

So if you have not been a part of Active Sunday, now is your chance to join the movement in the city of Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.

 

 

 

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Make your own whey protein at home

Protein supplements have become the need of the hour today. But, the prices of supplements are away to high. Not everyone can afford to invest in them. So, does that mean that they need to compromise on their proteins?

NO!

Here is how you can make whey protein at home and get your daily dose of protein!

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  • Choose any milk product like yoghurt/curd, paneer (cottage cheese) or buttermilk.
  • The curd is the easiest option available at home but you can choose any products mentioned above.
  • Take a bowl and put a strainer on the top of it. (Strainer can be big or small)
  • Take a small muslin cloth and place it over the strainer.
  • Put 250 grammes of curd on the strainer and cover it with a plastic wrap. Keep it in the refrigerator overnight for 6-8 hours.
  • Remove the bowl which was kept overnight. The solid part which is there on the top of the strainer is called as curd cheese and the liquid which will be collected in the bowlis called as home whey protein.

The shelf life of homemade whey protein: –

  • If you refrigerate homemade whey protein, it can last up to 6 months.
  • It can be stored in airtight bottles or glass jars.
  • It is ideal to make a whey protein batch for a month and then prepare another fresh stock.

Nothing goes waste! You can use the curd cheese as well… 

  • Curd cheese can be mostly commonly used as a cheese dip or cheese spread. You can add milk according to your requirements. If you want to make a dense dip then milk should be less and vice versa.
  • This curd cheese which is obtained has healthy fats which are required by the body.
  • Apart from these dips, you can use curd cheese in baking cakes as well. 

Benefits of homemade whey protein: –

– It has no additives. It is the source of pure whey protein!

– It is cost effective, unlike the supplements which are available in the market.

– It has abland taste so you can blend it into your own protein shake!
“ Now you can fulfil your protein needs with purest whey protein “

How much protein is there in homemade whey protein has and how to measure it?

1/2 cup = 15 grams.

1 cup = 30 grams.

Here are some interesting recipes to make your bland whey protein into tasty protein shakes!

(1) Peanut choco blast!

shejk

Name of the ingredient              Quantity
         Peanut butter            2 tbsp.
             Banana                1
Home Made whey protein             1 cup
               Curd             ½ cup
        Skimmed Milk             1 cup
         Cocoa powder             ½ tbsp.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrients Nutrition per serving
Calories 465
Protein 43 g
Carbohydrates 39 g
Fats 17 g

* Nutrition facts are derived on the theoretical basis.

METHOD: –

– Blend all the ingredients together and serve it.

– It can be an excellent post workout supplement.

(2) Power Green!

 
 

Name of the ingredient              Quantity
        Spinach/Kale              1 cup
             Banana                1
               Curd             ½ cup
        Skimmed Milk             1 cup

 

Nutrition Facts
Nutrients Nutrition per serving
Calories 235
Protein 18 g
Carbohydrates 38 g
Fats 4 g

* Nutrition facts are derived on the theoretical basis.

METHOD: –

– Blend all the ingredients together and serve it.

– It can be an excellent post workout supplement or can be used as a meal replacement also.

(3) Mango Rejoice!

 

 

Name of the ingredient              Quantity
        Apple Juice             1 cup
             Mango                1
Home Made whey protein             1 cup
               Curd             ½ cup
          Orange Juice             1 cup
        Pineapple pieces             ½ cup

 

Nutrition Facts
Nutrients Nutrition per serving
Calories 600
Protein 64 g
Carbohydrates 79 g
Fats 4 g

* Nutrition facts are derived on the theoretical basis.

METHOD: –

– Blend all the ingredients together and serve it.

– It can be an excellent post workout supplement or can be used as a meal replacement also.

(4) Choco Shake!

 

Name of the ingredient              Quantity
       Skimmed Milk             1 cup
             Water             1 cup
Home Made whey protein             1 cup
          Instant coffee             1 tbsp.
         Cocoa Powder             1 tbsp.

 

Nutrition Facts
Nutrients Nutrition per serving
Calories 350
Protein 32 g
Carbohydrates 87 g
Fats 8 g

 * Nutrition facts are derived on the theoretical basis.

METHOD: –

– Blend all the ingredients together and serve it.

– It can be an excellent post workout supplement or can be used as a meal replacement also.

(5) Pro-Oats shake!

 

 

Name of the ingredient              Quantity
       Skimmed Milk             1 cup
 Dry Oats/ Steel cut oats             1 cup
Home Made whey protein             1 cup
          Cinnamon             ½ tsp
             Honey             2 tbsp.
         Almonds (Chopped)              5-8 pcs.

 

Nutrition Facts
Nutrients Nutrition per serving
Calories 580
Protein 44 g
Carbohydrates 92 g
Fats 12 g

 * Nutrition facts are derived on the theoretical basis.

METHOD: –

– Blend all the ingredients together and serve it.

– It can be an excellent post workout supplement or can be used as a meal replacement also.

 Now enjoy your daily protein source without worrying about the cost and nasty ingredients!

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