Search Results for: diabetes

October 12, 2019 By GOQii 2 Comments

From Overweight to Overachieving! Vijayakrishna Iyengar User Story

At the age of 44, he was battling obesity and was also diagnosed with diabetes in May 2016. This was a wake up call for Vijayakrishna Iyengar to take control of his lifestyle and change it for good. A few concentrated and dedicated efforts by him, his doctor and his personal coach have helped him walk the path of good health. In about a year and a half, he lost 50kg and his blood sugar is in control with proper diet and exercise. Let’s hear his story in his own words!

Daily Life and Routine

My life was carrying along. Daily exercise was just walking on the treadmill in the gym for an hour although I followed a strict diet. I guess my biggest flaw was that I used to sleep only for 3-4 hours a day. Bad lifestyles have bad results. Mine was that I was obese, weighing around 138kg with a 48″ waist size and my shirt was 48″ as well. If that wasn’t enough, sometime around May 2016, I was diagnosed with diabetes (252) and that’s when the alarm in my head went off!

Suddenly, there was a need to rectify my habits in order to lead a medical-free and healthy life. I immediately started with some activities on my own. I started going to the gym and began walking on the treadmill. I was only resorting to cardio exercises and ignoring the other aspects of fitness. I had no guidance coming my way so I was not sure if I was doing the right thing.

Enter GOQii

I wanted to start doing the right things. I began by searching for a fitness band and came across many products. Then I came across GOQii! What I liked about GOQii is that it was not just a fitness band but a subscription for personal coaching which focused on holistic healthcare. The personal coach would guide you on fitness and nutrition.

GOQii went out of the way to ensure healthy habits are imbibed by the users. I found that very appealing and chose GOQii. I was very fortunate to get an excellent GOQii Coach who understood my goals which were weight reduction and to get fit, and my coach began advising very relevant habits which I could follow.

Earlier, when I had started going to the gym I only focused on the treadmill but my coach refined that and added strength exercises and core workouts. She also emphasized the importance of proper deep sleep and its advantages. Gradually, the habits set in. It’s not possible to change yourself in a day. With concentrated efforts and discipline, I am now able to sleep well for seven hours. Also, I do proper well-balanced cardio, strengthening and core workouts.

My water intake has improved and I regularly take at least 2L of water a day. All these positive habits helped me to sustain my efforts and make it a habit for a lifetime.

My strict diet (prescribed by my Doctor) followed with proper exercises helped me to reduce my weight (50kg and both trousers & shirts reduced by 10 inches) and the habits imbibed because of GOQii helps me sustain that. With these lifestyle changes for the better, I feel very good and positive about myself. My goal is now to reach a weight target of 75kg.

What Does Vijayakrishna Iyengar Have to Say About GOQii?

I cannot thank GOQii enough! The best part of having been on GOQii is that I can earn Karma Points for being healthy. These points I have been donating to charity. So I am doing my bit for the society as well, which otherwise, we seldom do. I have been maintaining a streak of 211 days (of walking more than 12,000 steps each day) and this helped me to earn a good amount of Karma Points.

Apart from being self-motivated and having a coach to further amplify that motivation, the other big motivating factor is earning Karma points. Whenever I walk, someone who may be underprivileged or having health issues gets the right treatment or support for food or education. What else is required to get motivated to move or to be healthy?

Among the other brands who just sell the band, GOQii focuses on mind, body and soul through physical fitness, meditation, and Karma points. Apart from that, having a dedicated GOQii Coach who understands the unique challenges of individuals and guides them properly to achieve their fitness goal makes it a unique product and service.

What Does His GOQii Coach Have to Say?

Vijayakrishna Iyengar was very determined and motivated when he came on board. I am really impressed by his sincerity. He always tried to do more than the target step count and never missed his workout. Along with cardio exercises, we also worked on doing core workouts and strength training. He has also started slow jogging. Sleep duration and quality improved by avoiding electronic gadgets before bedtime and going to bed by 10:30 pm. I am sure he will achieve his goal to be in normal BMI soon. Seeing him so motivated, motivates me too!

We hope you found this story about Vijayakrishna Iyengar to be motivating! Go on and make a positive lifestyle change today and #BeTheForce!

To share your journey or transformation with us, click here and our team will reach out to you!

August 10, 2019 By GOQii Leave a Comment

Why Fake Health News is Dangerous For Your Mind and Body!

“Eating 30 mangoes a day can cure diabetes”

“Eating 1 tsp of Methi Seeds every day for 30 days can cure diabetes”

These were some of the claims made by patients to GOQii’s very own Dr. Akshat Chadha. In fact, we even came across a 2016 article that received around 1.4 million shares on Facebook that was titled, “Dandelion Weed Can Boost Your Immune System and Cure Cancer”.

Now before you begin stuffing yourself with mangoes and Methi Seeds or begin a quest to get a hold of Dandelion Weed, take a step back and analyse these claims.

Dr. Chadha asks a very valid question, “If it is that simple, why is the world suffering from diabetes?”

How Fake Health News Works

What is the first thing you do when you experience an unusual fever, intense pain in a body part or several of them? You turn to Dr. Google! At some point, we all have typed in “Quick ways to lose weight” or “How to build muscle quickly”.

While this may be out of general curiosity or to find an easier way out, it is certainly not the right thing to do. Most of Google searches related to illnesses end with either cancer or some other godforsaken illness that no one has heard of. Is Google even reliable?

On the other hand, fake health news forwarded via WhatsApp or shared on Facebook are mostly prevalent because people are looking for an easier way out. Eating Banana Peels or a spoonful of Methi seems easier to do than to actually eat the right food and exercise.

Even the allure of alternate medication over traditional medication seems intriguing for the simple fact that someone would rather experiment with something as absurd as Dandelion Weed, than go through Chemotherapy for Cancer treatment.

Is the tone of authority that claims – “Cure <insert illness here> instantly”, “100% guaranteed weight loss”, or “Build a 6 pack in 3 days” to be blamed or is it our willingness to click on something like this without asking questions to be blamed? At the end of it, these articles only lead you to a website where someone is trying to sell you something or keep you from buying something else.

Apart from the reasons above, why fake articles get so much traction is simply because they deliver quick and easy to read content and headlines as opposed to research documents which are full of tables and scientific jargon that provide evidence.

More so, there’s this crushing need to believe something we wish were true. If someone who loves sweets were to come across an article that read, “Eating a lot of sweets is good for your health”, wouldn’t you click on it even if the claim isn’t backed by a legitimate study?

The Need to Eliminate Fake Health News

With more people buying into these fake health news and tips, it becomes difficult for doctors as most of their consultation time goes in myth-busting rather than treatment. If an expert is to reject fake news or tip, the patient is often not convinced.

Fake articles and our willingness to believe in them can do more harm than good. Especially if you go for alternate or self-medication cited from these fake articles which can make your condition worse!

Fortunately, the anti-vaccine brigade hasn’t made its way to India with their disputable content. Thanks to them, Measles made its return in 2016 in the United States. Who knows, if we begin here, we’d be welcoming Polio with open arms.

How to Identify Them

Keep an open mind but not open enough to passively accept any false piece of information which claims to be true. Here’s what you can do:

Check the Source: Always check if the article is backed by proper study. If the giant breakthrough in cancer treatment hasn’t been spoken about by the American Cancer Society or other reputable sources consisting of experts on the subject, it probably isn’t true.
Look for More Sources: Don’t rush to the fields to pick out Dandelion Weeds based on a single article. Always look for more sources, more studies have reached the same conclusion. If you can ask multiple people how you look in your new dress, taking multiple opinions on medication and health shouldn’t be that difficult.
Be Sceptic: If you watched WWE in the 90s, the legendary Stone Cold Steve Austin probably gave the most genuine advice ever – “Don’t Trust Anybody!” If it is too good to be true, it probably is. Just because a “research”, “Study” or “Claim” falls in line with what you’re already doing, doesn’t make it authentic. Awaken your inner sceptic and doubt everything! There is no shortcut to getting healthy and fit.
Talk to Your Doctor: If you tell your doctor or even your nutritionist about eating banana peels to lose weight, we’re sure they’d crack up! Any credible data, analysis or information is useless if not interpreted by an expert. Verify these so-called “facts” with your doctor, nutritionist or expert. The person on the other side of the table didn’t spend years of their life getting a degree in medicine or certification just for show.
Get a Second Opinion: Not convinced with what your doctor, nutritionist or trainer has to say? Get a second opinion. No one is 100% accurate all the time. They are human, they can make errors. It’s best to get a second opinion if you’re not convinced. Just avoid Googling your issue because search engines and social media channels aren’t allotted degrees on healthcare, medicine, nutrition and fitness.

It is imperative to bust fake health news, tips and myths to avoid injury, illness and in a worst-case scenario – death. Be well-informed with the right knowledge from the right people. In an attempt to curb the epidemic of false news, GOQii in association with Akshay Kumar and a team of experts is out to bust these myths for good with the GOQii India Health Quiz (IHQ).

The GOQii India Health Quiz aims to elevate over 130cr Indians by giving them the right knowledge and busting myths via live hourly quizzes within the GOQii App. All you need to do is download the app, watch LIVE classes on GOQii Play, participate in the quiz and earn points. These points can be redeemed for prizes such as Cellphones, Fitness Trackers and a grand cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh.

Remember, that the first step towards a healthy lifestyle begins in the mind. Train yours and until then, in the words of Akshay Kumar, “Gadhe Mat Bano!”

#BeTheForce

June 4, 2019 By Vishal Gondal Leave a Comment

The Urgent Need For Healthy Eating

Ever wondered what constitutes healthy eating? I found my answer in creating new habits by adding beneficial foods and fostering a sense of responsibility to improve my quality of life! I am not talking about fad diets that make short term promises but making the right food choices and building a good relationship with them! Basically, embracing permanent and lasting changes.

Eat Real Food!

Scientific evidence has shown that what you eat can reduce your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. It can ward off some forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, osteoporosis and obesity. Healthy eating and making the right food choices now is more important than ever.

Lifestyle Diseases on the Rise

Why so? Increasing members of our society are falling prey to lifestyle diseases due to wrong eating habits. Data collected from our very own GOQii IndiaFit Report 2019 indicates that there has been a rise in lifestyle diseases among people below the age of 45 since last year. High blood pressure has increased from 9% to 12%. Users affected by Cholesterol have increased from 10.1% to 14.1%.

Prioritize Your Health

If you prioritize your health, you’ll develop a “wellness state of mind”. The first thing you will begin with is making the healthiest choice when it comes to food and physical activity. Before you begin to make changes in your lifestyle, knowing where you are in your journey towards health and wellness is important. As a preventive healthcare company, we are striving to get people to be active and disease free. Our coaches promote balanced nutrition and healthy eating.

The IndiaFit Report indicates that there are key concerns in the nutrition area. Research indicates that 35% of the users have concerns around acidity and indigestion. 14% of the users are plagued by constipation. Bloating has increased from 8.5% last year to 10%. More than 25% have delayed meal patterns. All of these issues are due to bad eating habits.

Ask yourself the following question: Am I eating a balanced diet that comprises of all food groups to sustain health, energy, and well-being?

Healthy Eating is Not Complicated

While eating right is paramount, eating safe is equally important. We all know ingestion of pesticides can cause some serious issues including diseases like cancer over a period of time. From food grains to vegetables to fruits, everything is grown and ripened with the help of chemicals. Moreover, the concept of organic food is not well understood and most find it expensive.

But, having said that things are changing slowly and steadily. People are getting used to buying organic products from places like Farmer’s Market and few other health and wellness stores. In fact, the GOQii Health Store within the GOQii App offers curated products at a discount. These products are tested by our nutritionists and experts before being available for sale.

Remember eating right is not at all complicated. You don’t need to count calories all day long just eat the right foods and you will automatically start feeling healthy!

April 20, 2019 By GOQii 1 Comment

Patience is a Virtue Which Produces Excellence | Santosh Krishnan User Journey

Santosh Krishnan, a type 2 diabetic decided to rise above his excuses to lead by example. Santosh had an HBA1C reading of 8.4 which was alarming for a diabetic. In August 2017, Santosh with the help of a personal coach decided to turn his life around, setting a long-term goal of reversing diabetes which was holding him back from his desired quality of life. Initially his levels were (Fasting: 176, Post Prandial: 204, Weight: 77kgs ) and results didn’t come easy or instantly but with a great level of patience and determination tethered with a supervised diet and exercises, he brought down his levels to ( Fasting: 95, Post Prandial: 139, Weight: 69.8 kgs ). Today, he has an HBA1C reading of 6.8 which is completely normal. When asked, Santosh had much to say about his achievement and he was immensely proud of himself. Presenting his story in his own words.

Santosh Krishnan
Before (Left) After (Right)

“My journey with GOQii started in the month of April 2017. Being a follower of Luke Coutinho on Facebook, I wasn’t new to the world of health and fitness. One day I happened to come across a fitness band called GOQii on my friend’s wrist and immediately ordered one for myself.

Ever since I came on board the GOQii Platform, there has been no turning back. However, it was not a smooth journey. Later, I got to know that Luke was the Master Coach at GOQii. My journey with GOQii has had its ups and downs and I remember at one point I was corresponding directly with Vishal Gondal, the Founder, and CEO of GOQii because things didn’t go my way. I recall the time when I had changed three coaches in a span of four months, ultimately realizing that it was me who needed a makeover on my attitude, but as you will understand, it is easier to blame someone else than take it upon oneself.

My current coach has played a crucial rule in my health. I’m a type 2 diabetic and there was a time when my sugar readings were extremely high. Over the past 6 to 8 months we have made small changes to my lifestyle by introducing new elements like the consumption of ACV, actively keeping a track of all my required activities, which by the way has helped me immensely by giving me an understanding of where I stand and what I should do.

Regular workouts, optimum intake of water, cutting down on junk were the few steps I took combined with my coach’s presence and motivation which was irreplaceable. We know there’s a long way to go and my goal is to totally go off pills. It might be a farfetched goal but with self-belief and my coach’s constant presence, I definitely think it’s possible.”

What did his GOQii Coach have to say?

Santosh’s GOQii Coach was very enthusiastic to talk about her client and was very proud of his achievements. Here is what she had to say: “Santosh’s goal was to reverse diabetes and become healthy again. After my initial call with him, I understood that he’s focused and knows what he wants for himself. We began with basic exercises gradually including cardio and body exercises to the regime. We worked on a schedule per his convenience, I also advised him about the importance of frequent meals, pre-workout and post work out meals, water etc, which he followed religiously. It was a pleasure to see his data on the dashboard, which motivated me to concentrate more on his progress”.

“He seems to have taken charge of his health and his recent reports show that his sugar levels have come down drastically. He lost around three kgs and reduced a few inches on the waist as well. Santosh is super happy with his progress and so am I. It feels great to be a part of his amazing journey,” she adds.

Santosh has left no space for self-doubt in his endeavours and has been patient, constantly pushing his limits to further improve his glittering morale and a healthier lifestyle.