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5 major reasons why people give up?

never-giveup

As a lifestyle coach, I have come across many who initially set for themselves very high goals to achieve but, after few weeks they give up thinking they cannot do it anymore. One does not just give up, there are several reasons attributed to giving up. Some of these are…

why people give up

  1. Expecting fast results: Most people have a mindset of achieving higher goals in a shorter span of time and once they are unable to achieve it in the said time frame, they get disheartened. One must understand that one size does not fit all. Each one of us is different with different body type and levels of metabolism. You just cannot predict how much of workout you should be doing to lose X no. of kgs in so and so time frame. A person whose BMI is high tends to lose weight faster than a person whose BMI is low. Initially, some people achieve weight loss in few months due to high metabolic rate and some people achieve weight loss due to high metabolism in later months.
  2. Past Failures: No success stories comes with ease and especially if you are pursuing a health goal never be dependent on shortcuts. A person may try weight loss program through shortcuts like going in for a herbal product or supplements but eventually after a few days do not see any considerable change and give up. The products that are available for weight loss in the market might work on a few and might not work on some. Always approach a goal in a scientific and realistic manner. To be able to do this, you have to bring about the desired modification in your lifestyle by slowly and steadily shedding your unhealthy habits and acquire healthy ones. Patience is therefore key ingredient.
  3. REGRET: “Regrets are just wasted thoughts, focus on the Present”. Regret can only make you guiltier, unworthy of yourself and develop inferiority complexes. But, instead of wallowing in self-pity and regret, it’s never too late to start a new journey with a new perspective towards life. Mistakes happen for a reason and that you may learn from them and do better then what you use to do. There is no successful person in this world who has not tasted failure in life. It is how you handle that failure, learn from it and move on to do better in life.
  4. FEAR TO CHANGE: In a complex society, the truth is, many people shy away from change because of fear of doing or indulging in something that most people aren’t. People want to be a part of a crowd than stand alone. Bringing about change is definitely difficult and requires strong willpower and confidence. Never settle to fit in the box. You might be that one person to take the first leap and try something new or bring about a change and, you never know you might just have followers who believe in you. Take that one step ahead confidently and change.
  5. ASSUMING THEIR PROBLEMS ARE UNIQUE: Many feel this way because their whole focus is their own life. They fail to see the larger picture. For instance, you might be suffering from a medical condition for the longest time and there are no visible signs of its curing. Given this condition, if you are trying to bring about a change in your fitness goals it could take a while to achieve your goal. For instance, if you have been trying to lose weight and have not seen significant results, chances are that it is because you are not medically fit. The first thing is such a case is to treat the medical ailment, bring your body on normal parameters and then work on weight loss or a good physique body.

“NEVER GIVE UP IN LIFE NO MATTER WHAT. GREAT THINGS TAKE TIME TO COM

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Diabetes – (Die-in-bits OR NOT)

So I started writing this blog almost a year back and could not complete it in this one year because I felt everybody knows everything about diabetes and what was the point of repeating the same things over and over again. Then, I realized, that this World Diabetes Day instead of the same diabetes facts, what we really need is a real patient case and scenarios to make everybody understand how intense and life-threatening, diabetes as a disease can be.

I remember long back we had a worried parent of a 6year old come into our clinic saying that his son’s urine had ants in it. After taking a proper history we realized that it was not ants in his urine but sugar in the kid’s urine left on the commode which was attracting the ants. Few blood tests later the child was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. That’s Type 1 diabetes, the type which is most commonly seen in the younger kids. Basically, the pancreas barely produces any insulin in these kids which leads to sugar flowing through the blood and causing diabetes.

Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin or both.

Causes can range from autoimmune destruction, heredity or positive family history, insulin resistance to various infections like pancreatitis. But, the main cause or the root cause of Diabetes especially type 2 which affects mostly the adult population has to be a poor lifestyle.

Diabetes-like we all know can easily go unnoticed, even when a patient has already been diagnosed. Because of this, unfortunately, many don’t pay attention to the possible terrible problems that can happen if your diabetes is not under control.

I remember a case at the beginning of my career, a 40year old man having diabetes for more than 10 years came to our clinic with a complain that he had wound on his foot which was not healing. He knew his sugars were high but still wasn’t taking care. We started him off on the required medicines and within 10 days of better sugars, the wound had healed. He had no memory of how he had hurt himself. After 4months the same patient came back with an even bigger wound but unfortunately this time it had spread so much that his foot could not be saved and had to be amputated.

Does it make sense being so careless with your health and losing your foot just because your sugars are not controlled?

diabetes 1

Let’s discuss the complications of uncontrolled diabetes which can affect almost every organ of your body. Most commonly Diabetes affects your heart, kidneys, eyes, feet and your nerves (neuropathy) at varying degrees. Apart from these, diabetics have a higher risk of infections and dental problems. It is difficult to say what gets affected first but easier to remember that if your blood sugars are not under control, you have set yourself on the path to trouble.

diabetes image 3

During my internship, I got a call from a friend that his dad had a heart attack and they were shifting him to the same hospital where I was working. Fortunately, that month I was posted in the ICU itself so I was happy that I was going to be able to monitor his dad. Just on the opposite bed, there was another man of the same age who had suffered a heart attack the morning before. Almost two weeks later, my friend’s dad was still in the ICU whereas the other man was on his way to get discharged. Another 2 weeks went by but unfortunately, we didn’t see much signs of improvement and eventually we lost him in the next few days. The only big difference between the two patients was that my friend’s dad had uncontrolled diabetes!!

Diabetes dramatically increases the risk of various cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina), heart attack, stroke and narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis). If you have diabetes, you are more likely to have heart disease or stroke.

Your body and your health need a lot of care, attention and need to be your first priority not only at the time when you are sick but more when you are well. The point of this blog is not to scare you but to make you aware, and part of that awareness is knowing how to be able to help yourself. Follow the below tips and start your healthy journey today!

diabetes image 4

Tips to prevent or live well with diabetes

  • Maintain a healthy weight and look out for belly fat
  • Make healthy food choices
  • Be physically active (gradually increase everyday steps and try and reach the 10,000 target)
  • Monitor your sugar levels regularly and keep a check on your blood pressure
  • Get your full body tests done once a year
  • Sleep well and work to manage daily stress
  • Quit smoking
  • If on medications, make sure you take them regularly

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Save Your Lungs!!!

effects of smog

Recently, a sporty 6-year-old girl in Delhi complaint to her mother saying, “Mom, I feel no breath”. Now, this is alarming and also sad for the people in the capital city who are confined inside the four walls of their home. People are being warned from stepping out for workouts, cycling and runs.

A new study by the most reputed medical journal-‘Lancet’ in 2015 indicated that India topped the list of countries with pollution-related deaths, with 2.51 million people dying prematurely in the country that year due to diseases linked to air, water and other forms of pollution. India also topped the list of deaths linked to polluted air (1.81 million) and water (0.64 million). One-quarter of the world’s population now breathes unsafe air, according to the 2014 Environmental Performance Index (EPI).

Is this a new phenomenon for the Delhi-ites? No, the situation hasn’t changed in the last two years. It has only gotten worse from what it was, people claim. Delhi is indeed declared the most pollutant city in the world by the World Health Organisation and the people of Delhi are facing a public health crisis. The relationship between filthy air and poor health is frightening. Delhi’s bad air is already causing a spike in the people with asthma and reduced lung function. There is evidence of a spectrum of health problems, ranging from allergies and respiratory conditions, malformations, growth restrictions, all of which is a result of pollution.

Given this scenario, how do you save your lungs?

Lung Detox is something that Luke Coutinho, M.D., and master coach at GOQii recommend.

Particulates. Over time small particulate matter might damage your lungs permanently, making breathing difficult and forcing your heart to work harder.

Lung Detox Plan

-Previous night – soak 1 tbsp fenugreek (Methi) seeds in half cup water

-Wake up to 250ml warm water with lemon and a dash of cayenne pepper

-Drink the fenugreek water and chew on the seeds.
-10 mins later – 2 cloves of garlic crushed and consume with 1 tbsp raw honey or Manuka honey
Steam Time
-Boil some water, put into a large bowl, add 5-10 drops of pure eucalyptus oil or 1 drop peppermint oil, cover your head with a towel and do steam inhalation for 5 mins. Gentle deep inhalations and slow exhalations.
-Breakfast as normal, but add 300 ml fresh carrot juice with 1 tsp pure cold pressed coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil.
-Magic Lung breathing exercise (check method below)
-Post breathing exercise prepare a litre of the following concoction and have one cup warm.
Magic Tea –

  • 1 inch piece ginger /1 tsp dried ginger powder, cinnamon stick, ½ tsp basil/tulsi (fresh/dry), 1 tsp oregano dry (or fresh leaves), 3 peppercorns, 2 crushed elaichi, (optional , 1 -2 cloves crushed garlic), 1/4th tsp fennel seeds, pinch of ajwain, 1/4th tsp jeera (cumin)
  • Boil for 10 mins and simmer, strain and sip warm ( can add pure honey or jaggery to sweeten)

Lunch

-30 mins post lunch – 250 ml lemon water with a dash of cayenne pepper
-2 hours later – 300 ml fresh carrot juice with 1 tsp pure cold pressed coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil plus an evening snack
-30 mins later: Magic breathing exercise followed by a cup of lung tea concoction.
-Light walk or yoga
-30 mins before dinner: 250 ml lemon water with cayenne pepper
-Dinner plus 300 ml carrot juice as above

-Post dinner: 30 mins – one more cup of lung tea
-1 hour before bed – steam with 5-10 drops of eucalyptus oil for 5 mins
-Castor oil pack or rub (details below) for 30 mins

-Before bed – magic lung breathing exercise, meditate, sleep

 Magic lung breathing cleanse

Take a standing position. Keep your arms at your sides and your feet slightly apart. Relax.

  1. Take a few deep breaths and exhale through the nose.
    3. Now breathe in through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth until you cannot exhale any more. But do not stop here, because there is still air remaining in your lungs.
    Some of the air remains in the lungs and is not replaced as we breathe. Now, force your diaphragm to exhale all the air from your lungs with wheezing. Several times exhale through the mouth with a “ho, ho, ho ho, ”

Until you feel there is no more air in the lungs. At this point, you will feel you have pulled in your belly toward the spine.

Through the nose, slowly inhale fresh, clean air in your empty lungs. Fill your lungs with air completely, and then hold your breath for 6 seconds, counting them slowly.

At this point, the oxygen has filled your lungs.

Again exhale through your mouth until there is no air left in your lungs and repeat the “ha…ha…” to expel the stale air out of the lungs.

Repeat the whole procedure as many times as you like. Besides purifying the lungs, this exercise has another benefit: your stomach will eventually become strong and toned skin will look radiant with a glow as you have helped remove excess carbon dioxide.

Here is small video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTbbua0iOSU&t=) by Luke Coutinho M.D,  where he explains all about what lungs are and how they function and finally how can we detox our lungs and keep it clean.

A timely video, when people across the country are suffering from air pollution around them.

 

 

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High calcium rich recipes for strong bones

We all know that as the age advances most people suffer from osteoporosis. In today’s time, it’s even more visible in youngsters.

Dr Anand Kulkari has explained very well in his blog about Osteoporosis, its symptoms and causes.  For you to refer— https://goqii.com/blog/osteoporosis/

The first line of treatment to prevent or cure osteoporosis is having good nutrition in which CALCIUM forms the major part of the diet.

The moment we think of calcium, our think of milk and milk products and leafy veggies. But, trust me sometimes it’s so monotonous and boring to have a glass of milk and have those boiled or cooked green veggies.

So here I am with some yummy interesting Calcium rich recipes which will not only enhance your calcium intake for the day but will also add variation in meals.

PANEER Ki KHEER

paneer ki kheer

Paneer Ki Kheer is a sweet recipe straight from the heart of Bengal. It is one of the quickest desserts you can make with a unique ingredient-fresh Paneer. This recipe is high in calcium and low in calories making it a good dessert option for people with osteoporosis. Besides, it is rich in protein and riboflavin.

Ingredients

Cow’s milk chenna crumbled 50gm

Skimmed Milk 300ml

Rice powder 1 Tsp

Saffron (Kesar) a few strands

Almonds, blanched and slivered 4

Pistachios, blanched and slivered 4

Green cardamom powder 1/4 teaspoon

Sugar free – to taste/stevia/jaggery

Preparation

Boil milk in a deep pan and simmer till it reduces and thickens slightly. Add rice powder mixed with a little water and stir. Cook till the mixture thickens a little more.

Add saffron and continue to cook. Add almonds, pistachios and green cardamom powder and mix well. Add sugar-free/stevia/jaggery and stir till it dissolves. Add chenna and mix.

Take it off the heat and set aside to cool. Serve. If you wish you can have it hot too.

 Pumpkin Surprise

red pumkin

A low-calorie pudding made of pumpkin. This recipe is rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium and beta-carotene. A perfect dessert for people who watch their weight and have little time for cooking. In addition, this recipe can prove to be useful for people with high calcium and magnesium requirement.

Ingredients:

Red pumpkin 400 grams

Corn flour 1tsp

Milk 200ml

Cinnamon powder 1/2 tablespoon

Desiccated coconut 1 Tsp

Pomegranate pearls 1 Tsp

Stevia extract to taste

Almonds 10gm

Preparation

Place pumpkin pieces in a large pan. Add Stevia extract and one cup of water. Cover and cook on medium heat for about twenty-five to thirty minutes. Mix cornflour with milk till smooth. Once the pumpkin is cooked add cornflour-milk mixture and mix.

Cook till the mixture thickens. Sprinkle cinnamon powder. Add desiccated coconut and mix.

Transfer the mixture to a serving dish. Sprinkle crushed almonds and pomegranate pearls and serve.

Cardamom Shake

A beverage made up of milk, flavoured with poppy seeds and cardamom. A High calcium recipe good for people with osteoporosis. Also a good Breakfast/Evening time menu option for all

Ingredients:

Toned Milk 300ml

Water 100ml

White Poppy seeds 10gm

Cardamom seeds ground1/2tsp

Stevia, extract to taste

Preparation

Place the poppy seeds in a frying pan over a moderately low heat and dry-roast, turning often, for about 5 minutes.  Combine the poppy seeds, cashews or almonds, and water in a blender process for 2-3 minutes. Add 100 ml of milk and process on low speed for 15 seconds. Pour the mixture through a strainer over a pan.

Press out as much as liquid as possible, and then add the remaining milk and cardamom seeds. Stirring constantly bring to boil over moderately high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes. Now mix stevia extract. Pour the milk back to forth from one pan to another until it is frothy.

Serve immediately in warmed cups.

NADRU YAKHNI

Nadru-ki-Yakhni

Nadru Yakhni is a Kashmiri dish made of lotus root and yoghurt. Called Nadur in Kashmiri, Bhein in Punjabi, and Kamal kakri in Hindi is rich in calcium and magnesium main course recipe

Ingredients: –

Lotus stems 500 gm

Yoghurt 200gm

Onions sliced 200gm

Cooking oil 10 ml

Cloves 6-7

Cinnamon sticks 2 inch

Cardamom black 2-3

Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp

Kashmiri Chilli powder 1 Tsp

Dry ginger powder 1tsp

Mint powder 1/2tsp

Fennel powder 1tsp

Salt to taste

Preparation: –

Cut the edges of lotus stems and peel them. Cut them into diagonal slices. Soak in water. Boil the slices in salted water till soft. Fry onions in oil till brown and grind with a little water. They impart the brown colour to the gravy. Mix yoghurt properly in a half a cup of water, whisk and then strain. Boil the strained yogurt stirring continuously till it changes its colour to yellow. Keep it aside. Heat oil in a pan, add onion paste, cinnamon & cloves, when they crackle, mix Kashmiri Mirch (chilli), fennel and dry ginger powder, add a little water and sauté. Add lotus stems & yogurt to the mixture, bring it to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes, add cumin seeds, salt and cardamom. Finally, add mint powder and mix properly.

Serve hot with Brown rice/roti.

Green Chapati with Sesame Seeds

A calcium and fibre rich dish for patients of osteoporosis. Very easy to prepare with easily available food Ingredients.This recipe is a good variation of regular chapattis.

Ingredients:

Cauliflower green finely chopped 200gm

Sesame Seeds 50gm

Bengal Gram Flour 50gm

Whole wheat flour 200gm

Onion finely chopped 100gm

Cumin seeds 5gm

Coriander leaves finely chopped 1tsp

Cooking Oil 5 ml

Red Chili Powder 1/2 Tsp

Asafoetida 1 pinch

Salt to taste
Preparation: –

Dry roast Sesame Seeds. Mix Bengal gram, whole wheat flour, sesame seeds, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida, cumin seeds, coriander leaves and onion in a mixing bowl. Make dough using some warm water and prepare chapattis.

Serve hot with Yoghurt or Lassi.

Whole Bengal gram and cauliflower green Tikki

tikki

A mouthwatering snack to meet the increased calcium demands of osteoporosis patients. Easy to prepare from readily available ingredients and a low-calorie alternative to fried snacks

Ingredients:-

Bengal gram(whole): – 200g

Cauliflower: – 100g

Onions, chopped finely 200g

Breadcrumbs: -100g

Cumin seeds: -1\2 tsp

Green Chilies, chopped finely: – 3-4

Ginger 1tsp

Oil 5ml.

Salt to taste

Preparation:

Soak Bengal gram for 3-4 hrs and then grind to a coarse paste by adding enough water.  Grate onion, cauliflower, & green chillies and mix well to the gram paste. Add salt, cumin seeds, bread crumbs, ginger. Divide this mixture into equal portions. Flatten each portion with your palm and shallow fry this tiki in hot oil.  Once the Tikki turn brown in colour, remove and serve hot with chutney or sauce.

So, get your bones strengthened with these yummy calcium-rich recipes!! Stay tuned for more such recipes. I will be back with some more interesting healthy recipes to boost your bone health.

 

 

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