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How Ruta Pandya Managed Ulcerous Colitis & Arthritis With Lifestyle Changes

Ruta Pandya

We’ve always spoken about how you can manage lifestyle diseases with minor tweaks to your habits. But sometimes, it isn’t enough. Especially when one condition leads to another. Our player Ruta Pandya suffered from a condition called Ulcerous Colitis and a series of other medical issues which she battled for years. After fighting an uphill battle for what seemed like eons, she was finally able to manage them well with help from her GOQii Coach Hina Marwaha. Here’s how her Health Story unfolded. 

Battling Ulcerous Colitis & Other Medical Issues 

Ruta Pandya is a 44 year old teacher. For the past 17 years, she suffered from Ulcerous Colitis – which is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Its symptoms include rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain. Along with this, she also suffered from Arthritis. 

Her medical issues began after she had contracted Typhoid. Due to the Ulcerous Colitis, she had issues with food absorption which eventually led to weight loss. She weighed 30kg and her BMI was 12.6 – which meant she was severely underweight. This was primarily due to skipping meals. If she ate proper meals, she would face digestive issues which were difficult to manage.

During her struggles and multiple doctor visits, she was recommended to try GOQii through her doctor in Ahmedabad. After much thought, she joined as a part of the Abbott Gut Health program. 

Managing Medical Conditions With GOQii 

When Ruta Pandya spoke to her GOQii Coach Hina Marwaha, she was quite hesitant towards the coach’s suggestions regarding food habits. She refused to eat as she feared digestive issues but Coach Hina was persistent. After a couple of tries, Ruta finally gave in and began making changes to her eating habits. 

She was asked to start with small quantities and gradually increase intake. Earlier, if Ruta ate one meal, she would skip the next. Coach Hina’s task was to ensure that Ruta ate all her meals without facing any issues. She gradually increased Ruta’s breakfast intake which included nuts such as walnuts, almonds, figs, etc. Later, milkshakes were also added to her diet.

Ruta was asked to divide her meals into 5-6 parts i.e. to eat every 2-3 hours. She had to avoid hot and spicy foods as they would trigger the acidity and make her stomach ulcers worse. Slowly, fruits were added to her diet – which were light, high in antioxidants and helped her heal her gut as well as get more energy. Slowly, Ruta Pandya began eating more without facing digestive issues. 

She was also asked to walk and perform exercises. Yoga, along with small walks helped Ruta Pandya build her strength and alleviate back pain and find some relief from arthritis. Before, Ruta would struggle to complete even 2k steps but by slowly increasing step counts, she can now walk 7km. 

Coach Hina Marwaha also introduced Ruta Pandya to deep breathing exercises which were effective in helping her reduce stress and improve sleep. Better sleep meant better internal healing! 

Making Remarkable Improvements 

Currently, Ruta’s food habits have improved tremendously. Before, she used to skip breakfast and mid meals and now, they are a part of her daily routine. She eats every 2-3 hours. She is happy that she is able to eat, absorb nutrients and put on weight. Her BMI is now at a normal range of 17 and her weight is around 35kg. 

In the 3-4 years that she has been with GOQii, her Irritable Bowel Syndrome is under control, constipation is non-existent and her digestion issue has also been resolved. Apart from that, due to back pain, she couldn’t walk long distances but now she can cover them with ease and she works out as well. Some of the changes also include: 

  • Her hemoglobin levels improved from  9gm/dL to 10.9 mg/dL
  • Her piles issue has improved 100% 
  • Inflammation in the stomach has improved 
  • Sleep which was initially poor, has now improved as she sleeps a minimum of 6 hours a day and wakes up fresh. 
  • Her starting weight was 30.7kg which has now improved to 35kg

Recently, our Founder & CEO Vishal Gondal spoke to Ruta Pandya about how her Health Story with GOQii unfolded. You can view the complete conversation here – 

What Does Coach Hina Marwaha Have To Say About Ruta Pandya? 

Ruta started her journey with GOQii in September 2018. The day she joined as a player, she was having a lot of health issues. At that time, it was her inner fire and faith in herself which was pushing her to the levels where she was putting all her efforts to follow the routine. 

Due to her medical condition, it was not possible to give her all the tasks at one time, but we followed the concept “Slow and Steady always wins the race”. At a time, only 1 or 2 tasks were given to follow and focus on. Like a mother, I have seen her changing and improving. I have seen her screaming and crying in pain and now she has empowered herself so much that she goes for long walks and does yoga every day. 

In this beautiful world, our body is capable of responding and evolving at every second minute, positively or negatively. Ruta is a live example of this. With her dedication to get fit, potential to follow the routine, consistency with the routine and managing her time, she has proven that “proper diet and lifestyle” can help you evolve and grow, mentally and physically. Undoubtedly, she is an inspiration to me and to others as well.

Does Ruta’s Health Story inspire you to start yours? Subscribe for GOQii’s personalized health coaching today to begin your Health Story now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

For more inspiring User Stories, check out Healthy Reads. 

#BeTheForce 

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Losing 14kg In 13 Months – How Reshmi Sujesh Wrote Her Healthy Story!

Reshmi Sujesh

Have you tried shedding off extra weight but haven’t been successful? Do you feel that no amount of exercise or diet plans can help you? When it comes to weight loss, there’s always more than one or two factors involved. Our Player Reshmi Sujesh was in a similar predicament where she couldn’t lose weight, till she opted for GOQii’s personalized health coaching. 

Life Before GOQii 

Reshmi Sujesh is a 43 year old working professional based in Bengaluru. She had first joined GOQii in 2017 and had tried the personalized health coaching service for 3 months but chose to discontinue as she found it too intrusive. 

2 years later, she got extremely busy with her professional life and had gained a considerable amount of weight. She did try walking regularly along with exercise but she struggled to lose weight. 

In November 2020, she received a parcel that came for her husband. The parcel contained a GOQii tracker along with the GOQii Balance Body Composition Monitor. When she weighed herself, she was horrified at the number displayed on the screen. She weighed around 84.5kg. That was her wake up call and she decided to get healthy! 

Making Lifestyle Changes 

She informed her husband that she was taking the GOQii tracker and she began her health journey. This time, she opted for personalized health coaching and set her goal to weight loss. Her BMI at this point was around 31. 

After speaking to her GOQii Coach, she slowly began dietary changes which included drinking overnight soaked methi dana water on an empty stomach in the morning. Methi dana or Fenugreek promotes weight loss by burning stubborn fat from the belly and adipose tissues. Fenugreek is filled with fiber and antioxidants, and as a result, it also flushes out harmful toxins.

She initially began walking 5k steps daily and gradually moved to 7k and 10k. Over time, more dietary changes were included. She was persistent and tried her best to follow all the habits set by her GOQii Coach. She also kept track of her diet by logging in her food and water intake in the GOQii App. 

Her current routine includes 30 minutes of walking. Her step counts now touch an average of 12k steps per day. She also performs 15 minutes of Surya Namaskar along with core exercises. Thanks to all these lifestyle changes, she was able to lose 14kg in 13 months.

She recently spoke to our Founder & CEO Vishal Gondal about her Health Story and how hard she worked to lose weight in a healthy way. You can watch the entire episode of GOQii Health Stories feat. Reshmi Sujesh here – 

What Does Coach Ankita Baheti Have To Say About Reshmi Sujesh’s Transformation? 

“My player Reshmi Sujesh stands tall at 154 cm, weighs 70kg and is 43 years old. Her current BMI IS 29.9. She was transferred to me from another GOQii Coach. When I started coaching her in July, she weighed 74.70kg & her BMI was 31.5. 

Her health goals were weight management, improving strength and eating healthy. She is persistent and tries her best to follow all the habits daily and also provides updates for the food logs. It was very challenging for her to reduce weight due to her sedentary lifestyle and medical conditions. But, thanks to her dedication and regularity towards her health goals, she achieved what she aimed for!” 

It’s never easy when you have to achieve a health goal. There are lots of sacrifices you need to make. But if you are determined and persistent, then success is not far away. Reshmi Sujesh exemplifies this fact. Her current health goal is to reduce another 10kg.

Does this story inspire you? Do you want to lose weight or make a healthy lifestyle change and begin your own Health Story? Then reach out to our GOQii Coaches and subscribe for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

To read more inspiring Health Stories, check out Healthy Reads. 

#BeTheForce  

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Micronutrient Supplements: Are They Required?

Micronutrient Supplements

Micronutrient supplements are an affordable and effective way to ensure that you get the daily recommended intake of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals for a healthy life. Many people grab supplements without consulting their doctor, which is quite upsetting for me. In a study, it has been found that a majority of people who take supplements don’t even need them and many use it as an alternative to a healthy diet.

A few days back, one of my players asked me if she can consume fat burning pills for quick weight loss and this made me write an article on this topic to spread awareness about supplements to our GOQii members as there are many people who might be thinking of using these supplements for easy weight loss. It is sad how advertisements target innocent people who are struggling with weight and other health issues.

What Are Some Important Micronutrient Supplements?

Most common supplements which are required by the human body are Vitamins, Minerals, Amino acids, herbal and antioxidants. Supplements are quite convenient for us to carry, consume and keep a check on our health. Let’s take a look at the role of supplements: 

  • Micronutrient supplements can simplify management of certain diseases
  • They can aid weight loss/gain
  • They are beneficial during pregnancy
  • Supplements can improve overall health and help in preventing certain age related health issues
  • It can boost athletic performance
  • Might lower your risk of osteoporosis or arthritis
  • Can provide you with extra nutrients when you diet is lacking in it

Can We Get Them From Our Diet? 

The answer is absolutely YES! Experts agree that the best way to get the nutrients we need is through food. A well balanced diet containing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, dairy, lean meat and legumes can meet the body’s requirements. However, it is extremely important to eat the right combination of food for better nutrient absorption. I have seen many people eating healthy food but with the wrong combination which does not give them expected results and they keep on wondering why? So, get in touch with your GOQii coach often to understand it. 

Knock-on effects of Certain Micronutrient Supplements

Most supplements are safe to consume if taken in moderation but there are certain exceptions which you need to keep in mind.

  • Vitamin E: is extremely important for protection against damage caused by free radicals.  Yet, if  taken in excess, can lead to brain stroke.
  • Calcium and Vitamin D: are the most common supplements consumed for meeting the body’s demands. However, excess use can cause kidney stones.
  • Vitamin K: People who are already on blood thinners should be very careful and consult their doctor or health care professional before using this supplement as Vitamin K is contradictory to medications taken to prevent blood clots.
  • Excess protein powder supplements have been associated with Coronary Heart disease.
  • High doses of Beta-carotene is linked to higher risk of Lung cancer.

Do We Really Need Them? 

No! Not everyone needs supplements as the nutrition requirement of the body can be met by adding a variety of healthy foods. However, supplements sometimes become necessary for people who are 60 years and above as the tendency of the body to absorb all the nutrients is lesser and for people who are not able to manage eating a healthy, balanced diet. Some supplements may have serious side effects as mentioned above. There’s little evidence that any supplement can reverse the course of any chronic disease. However, some evidence suggests that supplements can enhance health in different ways. Always talk with your health care provider if you’re thinking about taking dietary supplements and always remember that supplements are not a substitute for a healthy balanced diet. 

We hope this article on Micronutrient Supplements helps you make healthier choices. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below! For more on nutrition and supplements, check out Healthy Reads. You can also get this information, along with the right guidance and advice from a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce 

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How To Boost Metabolism & It’s Importance

boost metabolismYou’ve heard the word “metabolism” or the phrase “boost metabolism” a lot either in general conversation about health or by a GOQii Coach, but have you thought about why it is so important? Metabolism is the sum of chemical and physical reactions in our body or the amount of energy or calories our body burns to maintain vital functions. Raise your hand if you know it is important for weight loss but did you know that it has other functions as well? 

Why Is It Important to Boost Metabolism? 

  • It works in 2 processes i.e. catabolism and anabolism which are the buildup and breakdown of substances, whether it is digestion of food or the elimination of food, if these two processes are disrupted by any means then you can imagine what health issues we might face.
  • The better your metabolism, the more calories your body will burn and it will be easier to drop pounds.
  • It is important for the biochemical process of combining nutrients with oxygen to release the energy the body needs to function.
  • There are certain metabolic diseases and disorders like diabetes, thyroid (hypo/hyper), phenylketonuria (PKU), etc.  that can be caused when the metabolism fails or decreases/increases than the body’s requirement. Although reason for these metabolic disorders is not just one but it is the reason and these are complex, but who wants to experience the pain of not losing weight, being obese or struggling daily with any other big or small issue caused due to the ups and downs of metabolism.

How Can We Boost It? 

Let’s understand certain ways in which we can boost metabolism  

  1. Protein: Eating more protein can boost metabolism to burn more calories.
  2. Mixing up certain exercises: can help us burn more fat by increasing metabolic rate.
  3. Water: If your body is dehydrated, then your metabolism may slow down as your body needs water to process calories.
  4. Eating small, frequent meals: like a small snack every 3-4 hours keeps your metabolism going.
  5. Adding spices: like green/red chilies, pepper, garam masala, etc. have natural chemicals that can kick your metabolism into a higher gear.
  6. Recharge with organic green tea: Research suggests that drinking 2-3 cups of green tea may push the body to burn 17% more calories during moderate intensity workouts.
  7. Eat enough calories: Eating less calories than our body’s requirement may give us quick results but this can cause your metabolism to slow down and that in turn, can make you gain more weight and create imbalance issues.
  8. Get plenty of sleep: Sleep disruptions or not getting adequate sleep has been known to have harmful effects on our metabolism.
  9. Manage stress: It has been seen that when we are continuously under stressful conditions, our body releases cortisol (stress hormone) which in turn affects our metabolism.
  10. Keep a check on B vitamins: as they play an essential role in the metabolic rate. So, make sure to meet your body’s requirement of B vitamins by including foods like eggs, bananas, orange juice, peas, spinach, whole grains, baked potatoes, etc.

All these points might sound difficult, but trust me we can make it happen with just small changes in our diet and lifestyle. It does not require inclusion of any costly, fancy food products. We hope this article helps you boost metabolism and make a positive lifestyle change. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below! 

For more on metabolism, gut health and digestion, check out Healthy Reads or get these tips directly from a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr 

#BeTheForce 

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

As we observe World Cancer Day under the powerful theme ‘United by Unique’ (2025-2027)**, we are reminded that every individual’s journey with cancer is distinct, yet united by shared resilience, hope, and the collective fight against this disease. This theme places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the […]