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December 11, 2021 By GOQii 1 Comment

Rahul Pandit Gets Off Medication & Gets Healthier With GOQii

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

November 13, 2021 By GOQii 3 Comments

Diet & Exercise: How Timanna Gudi Battled Diabetes

Access to medication is easy! We live in a day and age where even a sneeze can be seen as a good enough reason to swallow a pill. The number of those pills only increase with time as health deteriorates. The more pills you swallow, the more you realize that they aren’t working. Without intervention, without data or without trying, you never realize that a pill is not the answer, it is your lifestyle! In the face of adversity, change is imperative. Here’s how 49 yr old Timanna Gudi made a positive U-turn!

Hailing from Hubli, Karnataka, this mechanical engineer by qualification worked with an MNC as a managing director. His job responsibilities and efforts placed immense stress on his wellbeing. Realizing this, he knew he had to quit. He did so 5 years back and started his own business. However, this did not change anything and his health problems continued.

Battling Diabetes

In 2008, Timanna Gudi was diagnosed with Diabetes. This was just one part of his struggle. Along with diabetes, he had to face hypertension and high cholesterol as well! He was immediately put on medication and with every visit to the doctor, his dosage only seemed to increase. He would have to get tests and visit the doctor every 3 months while his doctor only increased the number of medicines. With no concrete solution in sight, Timanna was only confused.

Making Lifestyle Modifications to Fight Diabetes

He happened to come across a talk by B M Hedge, Dean of Manipal Medical College and a renowned doctor. He said that people shouldn’t be visiting doctors for lifestyle diseases like diabetes and cholesterol. The medicines they need are available in their kitchens. Of course, medical assistance is required in case of an emergency but it must be supplemented by a healthy lifestyle. This got Timanna thinking…

He had lost his Dad and his elder sister to diabetes in spite of them being on heavy medications like him. He told himself that if his condition is a disorder, there should be a way to bring it in order! This very thought became the turning point which would pivot his life to balance and wellbeing.

He came to Pune in 2011 and joined a therapy called Freedom from Diabetes. He managed to get rid of all his medicines in a matter of 40 days through diet control and some light exercise. From then on, he began advocating his approach to everyone who was affected by the same medical condition as his. He gave them hope that they too could change!

Joining GOQii and Being the Force

In 2018, he bought some equipment to perform exercises at home. He followed YouTube channels and performed his routine accordingly. However, he ended up with a frozen shoulder due to an incorrect position. This kept him from exercising for about 8-9 months.

In March 2019, a friend introduced him to GOQii. He was intrigued with the idea of coaches demonstrating exercises LIVE on the app. The GOQii app solved two of his needs i.e. exercise and nutrition. He was getting expert advice from topics relating to a healthy diet, lifestyle, meditation and so on. He saw GOQii as an opportunity to get back into routine!

He joined during the India Steps Challenge and began competing, clocking in 6000 steps a day. He initially started with basic walking and increased his target to 12,000 steps after he invited a few of his friends. Due to walking too much, he began losing a lot of weight and was underweight by 7kg. He was asked to stop walking and jogging completely. To keep the momentum of his physical activity going, he began strength training in order to build muscle mass.

He is a regular on GOQii Play. He watches Coach Tufail Qureshi, Coach Alistrair Fernandes and Coach Shweta Kariya, following the workout routines demonstrated by them on a daily basis. As his work requires him to travel often, he carries a resistance band in his luggage as suggested by Play Coaches. He feels that a resistance band is a handy equipment that can be used to target any body part!

Being lactose intolerant, he shifted to a vegan diet. This essentially means that he avoids milk, curd and cheese. He avoids processed foods like bread, biscuits, etc. He begins his day with a glass of green smoothie which is a wholesome blend of raw Spinach (Palak) or any other leafy vegetable coupled with Betel leaf, Pudina (Mint), Tulsi (Holy Basil), Curry Leaves, Cinnamon Powder, Black Pepper and one fruit along with soaked nuts and seeds.

He follows this up with 45mins to an hour of exercise. His breakfast is more protein-based which includes a dal-based Cheela or sprouts and salad. In between meals, he grabs a spoonful of any seeds or a cup of green tea. His Lunch includes a Roti, one bowl each of dal, vegetable and raw salad. He also drinks Apple Cider Vinegar, which he believes has helped in keeping his body more alkaline. His family mostly uses cold pressed virgin coconut oil instead of refined oil.

Opting For Natural Methods Instead of Medicines

Timanna Gudi reiterates that commitment is absolutely necessary. There is no way you can cheat or give in to temptations. He strongly believes that Diabetes is a medical condition which should be eradicated from India.

He says, “The medicines never stop and you just keep losing your vital organs to it slowly. However, everybody is different and not all solutions suit everyone. You need to go test and try before settling down with what suits you.”

He in fact, also got rid of his Acute Bronchitis, something which he suffered from since childhood which required him to use inhalers. He did so by practicing Pranayama (You too can reap the benefits of this wonderful practice. Here are 6 Variations of Pranayama and their Benefits)

In the course of his time fighting diabetes, he has also helped his younger brother reduce his sugar levels. He feels it is his duty to share the knowledge he has gained from his experience combating lifestyle disorders.

Timanna feels GOQii is a fantastic platform with lot of resources that can benefit anyone and everyone. He regularly shops on the GOQii Health Store and advocates the fact that you get good options at competitive rates.

We wish Timanna Gudi the best for his journey. If this story inspired you or if you are fighting your own uphill battle against a lifestyle disease, share your thoughts in the comments below! To help you manage diabetes effectively, reach out to our experts by subscribing for GOQii’s Diabetes Care Program here: https://store.goqii.com/diabetescare

#BeTheForce

September 2, 2021 By Kusum Soni 1 Comment

The Power Of Black Tea For Immunity

A powerful immune system not only prevents the attack of any foreign invaders like bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites but also can protect against degenerative diseases like cancer, heart disease. There are many beverages that can support a healthy immune system and black tea is one of them. The health benefits of black tea have been attributed to it’s decent amount of polyphenols and a wide range of flavonoids—particularly thearubigins, theaflavins, flavonols and flavones. These phytochemicals have shown antimicrobial, anti-viral, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Black tea has beneficial physiological effects like the prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease by easing inflammation and supporting the flexibility of blood vessels, which can reduce risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke. Researchers at Harvard University have found 10 times more virus-fighting interferons in the blood of people who drank black tea in comparison to people who drank placebo beverages. The researchers attributed this to an amino-acid, L-theanine found in ordinary black tea.

Various studies over the years have also linked drinking Black Tea to reduced risk of certain types of cancers, and increased number of immune cells, antioxidants that protect cells against free radical damage. The antimutagenic effect is well documented for the black tea polyphenols, namely theaflavins and thearubigins and attributed both to the inhibition of the oxidative DNA damage as well as, considerable literature demonstrates their inhibitory effect on the tumor cell proliferation. Latest research also suggests that these polyphenols even affect the balance of gut bacteria that enhances immune functions, encouraging short-chain fatty acids formation that support liver’s function.

Tea drinkers have shown lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, after an exposure to a stressful situation. Stress can suppress the immune response of the body. Thus, indirectly by managing stress, tea again improves the effectiveness of the immune system.

Tips To Include Black Tea In Your Diet

Infused Tea: Add 3-5g or one black tea bag into a cup. Fill to the top with 85-90c boiling water and steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bag or strain and serve hot or over ice.
Optional: You can add half a cup of fruit pieces into a one-quart Mason jar with tea and, later cover and let the fruit steep for another ten minutes in hot infused tea, after removing the tea bags.
You can add some lemon juice or crushed ginger or a pinch of cinnamon to infused black tea for additional antioxidant activity and flavour.
Japanese researchers have found that even gargling with black tea extract twice a day was less likely to catch flu by flushing microbes trapped in the throat area.
Inhaling boiling water mixed with Black Tea can facilitate the clearing of the passages towards the lung and facilitate the removal of bacteria/viruses trapped around the nasal area and opens a pathway for the Theaflavins to reach the lungs and protect it from infection.

Word of Caution

Adding milk may diminish the disease-fighting potential of the tea as various studies have not observed the beneficial effect of black tea consumption on the risk of coronary heart disease in subjects consuming tea with milk.
Avoid having tea with meals due to the presence of Tannins, an anti-nutritional compound, which has inhibitory effects on absorption of protein and certain minerals from food like, Iron, copper, sodium and aluminium.
Do not drink tea close to bedtime as another compound in tea called Caffeine could keep you from falling asleep.

Don’t miss on physical activity, adequate sleep and Dietary Diversification, that is, include a variety of food in your diet ranging from whole grain/pulses to coloured fruits/vegetables, nuts and seeds, lean meats, to add a wide spectrum of vitamins and minerals and antioxidants in diet, to enhance body’s disease-fighting capabilities.

Enjoy your cup of tea 1-2 times a day in snack time away from meals. We hope this article helps you. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more immunity-boosting tips, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to our experts on GOQii Play.

To get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach, subscribe to personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

Stay safe, boost your immunity and #BeTheForce!

August 19, 2021 By Kusum Soni Leave a Comment

How Garlic Can Help Boost Your Immunity

At some point you might have observed how some people rarely fall ill and even if they do fall ill, they recover in no time. Whereas, some people belonging to the same gender, age, and sometimes even same family, fall sick frequently and take time to recover. Ever wondered why? The answer is simple – immunity! We’re well aware that the immune system defends our body against infections and a compromised immune system can’t protect us! Hence, we must focus on building good immunity! This can easily be achieved with the food we eat and one of the foods that can help us is Garlic!

Garlic is loaded with nutrients, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antifungal and antioxidant properties. Studies have shown that it can enhance immune cell function which reduces the severity of an infection.

Benefits of Garlic

It contains allicin, which acts as an immunity booster and an antioxidant that helps stop infections, and the spread of bacteria and air-borne viruses.
It is beneficial to your digestive health. A healthy gut enhances our immune system and reduces the risk of infection.
It supports your liver to effectively carry out detoxification.
It contains vitamin B & C, that fights off cold and cough.
It has proteins, minerals, the sulfur-containing compounds alliin, ajoene, daily sulfide and dithiin, and different enzymes, which makes garlic a “Healing Powerhouse”.

How Do You Use It In Your Diet?

You can enjoy garlic’s nutrients by slicing or crushing a whole clove and eating it raw, immediately, as allicin is unstable and loses its medicinal properties quickly.

You may also try adding raw crushed or chopped garlic, to:

Salad dressings
Soups as a garnish
Vegetable smoothies with other herbs
Peanut butter and apply on roti
Curd or vegetable raita
Coriander/mint chutney

Please note that cooking may cause loss of health benefits due to high temperatures. However, it was noted that crushing it and allowing it to stand for 10 minutes before cooking and by increasing the amount of garlic used in a recipe, one can compensate for the loss of its medicinal properties.

One can also go for garlic supplements like powdered garlic, aged garlic extract and/or garlic oil. However, one needs to be cautious, since there are no regulated standards for its supplements. You can also go for 2-3 raw garlic cloves a day.

A word of caution here is that garlic might reduce your platelet aggregation. People with serious bacterial/viral infections or taking anticoagulant medication/blood thinners need to be cautioned about consuming it. So consult your doctor, nutritionist or dietitian before adding it to your meals.

For more topics on Nutrition, check out Healthy Reads. To get these facts about food, nutrition and more, subscribe to personalized coaching and ask your GOQii Coach directly: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

Keep your immunity levels up and #BeTheForce!