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Rahul Pandit Gets Off Medication & Gets Healthier With GOQii

Rahul Pandit

Being healthy involves a lot of factors other than just exercise. You need to watch what you eat, get quality sleep and manage stress effectively as well. These pillars are essential towards leading a healthy life. Our Player Rahul Pandit learned this when he joined GOQii. 

Life Before GOQii 

Rahul Pandit is a 30 year old working professional. While he had the necessary knowledge on exercise and how to keep his body in shape, he didn’t have the right knowledge on maintaining a healthy diet which led to issues such as weight gain. 

Weighing around 80kg, he was exercising regularly but at the same time, he suffered from hyperacidity. Every time he felt uncomfortable with acidity, he visited a doctor and was given medicines for reducing acidity but this fix was only temporary. He says that, “No doctor tells you how to take care of yourself. My eating habits were also wrong. I used to eat at odd hours and have long gaps between meals. I used to eat lots of junk food!”  

Making a Positive Lifestyle Change With The Right Guidance

After watching a GOQii advertisement featuring our brand ambassador Akshay Kumar, Rahul Pandit was inspired to rectify his health. He bought a GOQii tracker with a 3 months personal coaching subscription which changed his life. 

After interacting with his GOQii Coach, he realized what his routine lacked. His coach began introducing new habits to his list which included: 

  • Consuming lukewarm water with Saunf and Ajwain Seeds
  • Eating at regular intervals while keeping an eye on portion size
  • Breakfast was compulsory 
  • Fixing meal timings
  • Eating evening snacks 
  • Eating an early dinner 

These small habit changes did wonders for Rahul. He says that, “These habit additions and getting over old habits have been good for me”. 

With regards to fitness, he had to cut down on fat – so his meals were low on calories, low on carbs and protein was just as much as his body required. Earlier, he wasn’t aware of how much protein he should consume but got some clarity after speaking to his GOQii Coach. 

As of now, Rahul Pandit is free of hyperacidity. He manages his stress well and his body is more toned, minus the fat layers on his stomach area. After almost 2 years, he is off medication and is getting healthier day by day. 

What Does His GOQii Coach Have To Say? 

Rahul Pandit has been with us for almost 2 years. When he joined GOQii, he wanted to be fit and healthy but was dealing with hyperacidity. Thanks to his focus, dedication and being true to himself, he has come a long way. 

He now has no acidity, is off medication and is focusing on getting healthier. Certain habits which we worked on together and got results included: 

  • For acidity, Ajwain and Saunf water helped 
  • Replaced refined flours to whole grains
  • Acidity was being triggered by junk food and regular bakery products. So, Instead of having biscuits in the evening, he was now having fruits, sprouts or coconut water
  • Did Sugar Detox for a week
  • He also suffered from disturbed sleep. To improve sleep quality, we introduced the 4-6-8 pattern of breathing which helped. Also, no Gadgets close to bedtime
  • Different type of workouts were also introduced gradually to help him build endurance and stamina

The best thing about him is that he believes in a holistic, 360 degree approach to health and lifestyle. Shortcuts are not for him! Few months back he went to Leh Ladakh, where he did very difficult treks back to back for 3-4 days, covering 15-20 kms daily in that kind of altitude. This speaks volumes about his health, dedication and approach to lifestyle! 

Does this story inspire you? Do you face similar issues? Get the right advice, guidance and motivation from a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr 

To see how others have benefitted from using GOQii, read more user stories on Healthy Reads. 

#BeTheForce

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Fatty Liver Disease: What To Eat & What To Avoid

fatty liver disease

Our bodies have a tendency to store extra calories in terms of fat in each and every area to utilise it later for energy, or as a cushion for organs and insulation. The liver being the largest organ in the body, is partially made up of fat. However, if too much fat accumulates around the liver, it leads to Fatty Liver Disease. 

Fatty liver disease is mainly associated with the excess usage of alcohol and is termed as Alcoholic Fatty Liver. However, those who do not drink alcohol at all, can also develop this condition over time and is known as Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver. Excess fat around the liver damages it and makes it difficult for the liver to remove toxins and produce bile for the digestive system. 

The major plan of treatment for Fatty Liver Disease is dietary modifications and regular exercises. If the grade is too high, then one may need to see a doctor. For initial stages, the situation can be reversed completely with a few lifestyle modifications. 

What Causes Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)? 

  • Obesity: Overeating can cause weight gain which produces a load on the digestive system and the body forces the storage of extra calories in terms of fat, leading to NAFLD.
  • Pre-Diabetes: People with Insulin sensitivity or insulin resistance tend to store more fat in the liver as compared to non diabetics.
  • Over consumption of carbs and simple sugars: is linked with NAFLD as our body utilizes only what is required and rest is going to be stored as fat.
  • Poor Gut Health and genetics are also seen as linked with NAFLD.

Since it is a lifestyle disorder, modifying lifestyle with the right diet helps in controlling, maintaining and reversing both Alcoholic and Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

The diet should include:  

  • Lots of fruits and vegetables
  • Reduced processed and packaged food with high salt and sugar
  • High fibre foods and less carbs
  • Whole grains like oats, quinoa, barley and millets
  • Nuts and seeds especially walnuts and flaxseeds as they are high in Omega 3  
  • Vitamin E from Sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts, olive oil or canola oil
  • Avocados as they are a good source of fat and fiber 
  • Legumes

What Should You Avoid? 

If you’re suffering from this disease, here is a list of foods you should avoid completely. 

  •  Alcohol: As it is completely oxidised by the liver, there is no enzyme present in the body that can digest alcohol.
  • Added or simple sugars like candy, cookies, sodas, and fruit juices. It increases sugar level which increases fat build up.
  • Fried & oily foods due to excess calories and fat.
  • Too much salt makes the body hold on to excess water and can be a reason to gain weight.
  • Simple processed carbs like white bread, rice, and pasta, as they lack fibre and increase blood sugar.
  • Red meat like Beef and mutton are high in saturated fat.

Other Lifestyle Modifications 

  • Shed the extra weight
  • Control sugar levels well
  • Include Cardio and strength training consisting of 30 mins for 5 days a week 
  • Lower down cholesterol especially triglycerides.

We hope these tips help you manage Fatty Liver Disease with ease. Before you begin with any of the foods listed above, do consult your doctor, dietitian or nutritionist. Do let us know your thoughts and queries in the comments below! To learn more about AFLD and NAFLD, speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce  

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5 Ways To Build Your Immunity Naturally

immunityWe take our immune systems for granted at most times. With the heightened threat of COVID-19 infection that is something, we can no longer afford to do. Boosting your immunity doesn’t require drastic action however. By digging into our rich Ayurvedic traditions we can find plenty of helpful information. In fact, Ayurveda’s primary focus has always been on disease prevention, rather than treatment. This means that it contains a vast repository of knowledge on strategies to strengthen and support natural functions, including immunity.

To make meaningful changes that improve immune function, you don’t need to adopt therapeutic practices or use nutritional supplements. While those methods will help and are supplementary, your main strategy should be to make small and natural changes to your daily lifestyle.

Proven Strategies to Build Immunity Naturally

1. Get Enough Sleep
If you wake up without feeling refreshed and feel sleepy through the day, you’re just not getting enough sleep. There are endless debates over how much sleep is adequate, but if you wake up refreshed and with high energy levels you have nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, most of us are sleep deprived or have disturbed sleep, which severely weakens immunity. Research that appeared in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that the risk of respiratory infections is significantly higher in people who get under 6 hours of sleep. This is because sleep deprivation leads to a rise in cortisol levels and impaired T cell function.

If you suffer from any kind of sleep disorder, you can take steps to improve sleep quality. Adopting a disciplined night time ritual will help. You can take inspiration from the dinacharya, adhering to meal, exercise, and sleep times. Avoiding exposure to digital screens, artificial lighting, and any stimulating activity is a must for a few hours before bedtime. Meditation before bedtime can also help calm the mind and prepare you for sleep. If you still have difficulty getting good sleep, you can try using Ayurvedic herbs that have adaptogenic and sedative effects like brahmi and jatamansi.

2. Find a Stress Buster
We often hear about stress as a risk factor for almost all kinds of diseases and infections. In the past this may have been based on anecdotal evidence, but that is no longer the case. Research shows a clear link between stress and increased vulnerability to infections. This is once again linked to a rise in levels of the stress hormone cortisol and reduced lymphocyte levels. Stress can also have an indirect impact on immunity.  When we feel stressed and anxious we are more likely to make bad choices.  A good example would be our turning to ice cream, chips, and junk as comfort foods.

Right now stress and anxiety levels are particularly high as it’s hard to stay socially isolated and trapped indoors. This makes it absolutely vital for you to adopt proven stress reduction techniques. In this context, mindfulness meditation is regarded as the most effective strategy and is even used in clinical programs to treat depression and anxiety disorder. If you need any additional support, you can also use Ayurvedic adaptogenic herbs like brahmi and ashwagandha.

3. Quit Smoking and Drinking
Nicotine and alcohol consumption are both regarded as harmful in Ayurveda because of their toxic effects. This is especially true with smoking as it has been linked to cancer and lung damage. From research, we now know that any kind of nicotine consumption is associated with such risks. Nicotine directly impairs immune function because of its adverse impact on antibody formation and T cell responses.

High intake of alcohol is also associated with severely weakened immune function. This effect is almost immediate, with a reduction in lymphocyte levels and weakened macrophage response soon after intoxication. Some of the toxic byproducts of alcohol are also known to directly damage lung function, increasing the risk of airborne illnesses.

4. Eat Smart
When it comes to diet and nutrition for immunity, Ayurveda has always been ahead of the curve. The importance of balanced nutrition, favoring natural foods with a high nutrition density has always been stressed. The importance of vitamin C from ingredients like amla has also been emphasized. Of course, to receive balanced nutrition that supports optimal immune function Ayurveda makes a broad recommendation too. The main principle here is to avoid or restrict all intake of processed foods, while opting for whole foods. This fundamental principle of Ayurvedic nutrition is now widely recognized.

Aside from increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and pulses should also be included in your diet. Dahi is again important because of its natural probiotic content. This is important for the health of the gut microbiome, which researchers now recognize as critical to healthy immune function.

5. Stay Active
Ayurveda is notable as the world’s earliest medical system to recognize the importance of physical activity. Yoga has in fact been used as a form of physical therapy now for millennia. The importance of staying active for strong immune function has been validated by several modern studies. Such research shows that exercise helps through various mechanisms. It lowers stress levels and raises antibody levels. This has been shown to lower the risk of infection and significantly improve recovery.

Keep in mind that exercise to boost immunity isn’t about high intensity workouts or going to the gym. It is simply about staying active. In fact, over exercising can suppress immune function. Right now, the best choices would be activities like yoga, Pilates, dancing, and so on, as they don’t require you to step out of your home.

These are 5 of the most essential changes to strengthen your immune system. To get an added boost, you can once again turn to the wisdom of ancient Ayurveda. Herbs like amla, haridra, neem, sunth, tulsi, and ashwagandha are known to strengthen immune function and can be found in a wide range of Ayurvedic medications. Ayurvedic formulations like chyawanprash and triphala are also still highly regarded and remain the most popular antidotes to weak immunity. 

We hope this article helps you. For more tips on building your immunity, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to experts on GOQii Play. Additionally, you can also reach out to your GOQii Coach who can help, guide and motivate you! Subscribe to personalized coaching here:  https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr 

Stay home, stay safe and #BeTheForce 

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7 Foods To Build Immunity Against the Coronavirus

immunityWith the ongoing second-wave of the pandemic and the expected third-wave, it has become increasingly important to protect ourselves against it. Apart from all of the other safety measures which we can take, including wearing a mask while traveling to crowded places, avoiding crowded places or washing our hands with soap at regular intervals, one should also focus on building their immunity. A good immune system can help you fight off any virus or infection. One of the best ways to build your immunity is nutrition but before we get into that, let’s understand what Immunity is.

What Is Immunity?

As the old adage goes, ‘Prevention is better than Cure’. Build a good immune system to prevent disease. The Immune system is an amazing protection mechanism situated inside every human body. It is designed to defend you against millions of bacteria, microbes, viruses, toxins and parasites that love to invade the body. To understand the power of the immune system, all that one needs to do is to look at what happens to a living being when it dies. This might sound gross but it does tell us all something very important about our immune system.

When something dies, its immune system (along with everything else) shuts down. In a matter of hours, the body is invaded by all sorts of bacteria, microbes, and parasites. None of these things are able to get in when the immune system is strong, but the moment the immune system stops, the door is wide open for diseases to breed. Once you die, it only takes a few weeks for these organisms to completely dismantle your body and carry it away, until all that’s left is a skeleton. So safely, one can conclude that a strong immune system keeps all of that dismantling from happening when one is alive.

The immune system is complex, intricate and interesting. And there are at least two good reasons for every individual to know more about it. First, it is just plain fascinating to understand where things like fever, hives, inflammation, etc. come from when they happen inside your own body. You also hear a lot about the immune system in the news as new parts of it are understood and new drugs come in the market — knowing about the immune system makes these news stories understandable.

Now that we have understood what the Immune System is, I would like to take you through how the immune system works and how the immune system can be boosted with a proper diet.

Foods That Can Help You Build Your Immune System

It takes at least more than an apple a day to keep the doctor away. One should ensure that your body and the immune system function smoothly by rounding out your food plate with plenty of colorful servings of fruits and veggies, plus 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, at the very least. The following ingredients can add that extra virus-fighting punch to your meal plan.

1. Yogurt
Probiotics, or the “live active cultures” found in Yogurts are the healthy bacteria that keep the gut and intestinal tract free of disease-causing germs, although they’re available in supplement form. A study from the University of Vienna in Austria found that a daily 7 ounce dose of yogurt was just as effective in boosting immunity as popping pills.

Your optimal dose: 2 servings of 150gm each in a day. 

2. Oats and Barley
These grains contain beta-glucan, a type of fiber with antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities more potent than Echinacea, reports a Norwegian study. When animals eat this compound, they’re less likely to contract influenza, herpes, even anthrax; in humans, it boosts immunity, speeds wound healing, and may help antibiotics work better.

Your optimal dose: At least one in your three daily servings of whole grains.

3. Garlic
This potent onion relative contains the active ingredient Allicin, which fights infection and bacteria. British researchers gave 146 people either a placebo or a garlic extract for 12 weeks; the garlic takers were two-thirds less likely to catch a cold. Other studies suggest that garlic lovers who chew more than six cloves a week have a 30 per cent lower rate of colorectal cancer and a 50 per cent lower rate of stomach cancer.

Your optimal dose: Two raw garlic cloves a day and add crushed garlic to your cooking several times a week.

4. Tea
People who drank 5 cups a day of black tea for 2 weeks had 10 times more virus-fighting interferon in their blood than others who drank a placebo hot drink, according to a Harvard study. The amino acid that’s responsible for this immune boost, L-theanine, is abundant in both black and green tea—decaf versions have it too.

Your optimal dose: Drink in moderation. Recommended 2 cups a day. To get more antioxidants from your tea bags, bob them up and down while you brew.

5. Fish
Selenium, plentiful in shellfish such as oysters, lobsters, crabs, and clams, helps white blood cells produce cytokines—proteins that help clear flu viruses out of the body. Salmon, mackerel, and herring are rich in omega-3 fats, which reduce inflammation, increasing airflow and protecting lungs from colds and respiratory infections.

Your optimal dose: Two servings a week (unless you’re pregnant or planning to be).

6. Mushrooms
For centuries, people around the world have turned to mushrooms for a healthy immune system. According to experts and several studies, mushrooms increase the production and activity of white blood cells, making them more aggressive. This is a good thing when you have an infection.

Your optimal dose: Shiitake, Maitake, and Reishi mushrooms appear to pack the biggest immunity punch; experts recommend at least ¼ ounce to an ounce a few times a day for maximum immune benefits. Add a handful to pasta sauce, or sauté with a little oil and add to eggs

7. Citrus Fruits :

When you catch a cold, it is recommended that we should have Vitamin C. as it helps build up your immune system. Vitamin C increases the production of white blood cells and these are key to fighting infections. Some popular citrus fruits include oranges, grapefruit, Kiwi and lemons. Because your body doesn’t produce or store it, you need daily vitamin C for continued health. Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. With such a variety to choose from, it’s easy to add a squeeze of this vitamin to any meal. Doctors have been recommending Vitamin C during this time of widespread infections

Your Optional Dose: Vitamin C supplement is recommended. But, before taking any supplement consult your doctor. 

The above foods have proven to have boosted individuals’ immune system and produce more white cells in the body. Eat healthy and build your immune system. It will help you fight against all illnesses including the Coronavirus (COVID-19). So what are you waiting for? Get on the path of healthy eating and keep your immune system active and more energetic than ever.

For more tips and preventive measures against COVID-19, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to classes by experts on GOQii Play. To get these tips directly from a GOQii Coach, subscribe to personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr  

#BeTheForce 

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