goqii fitness tracker Archives

September 14, 2023 By Gitanjali Bahl 5 Comments

Choose the right activity to stay fit

Who does not like to look good and fit? Everyone does. Off late you are also finding many who are conscious about wanting to be active. Many are obsessed with losing weight. All are aware that these changes will not occur overnight and hence exercising is very important.

Exercising regularly is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. It lowers your risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure. It can also tone your figure and improve your sleep. Not only is exercise good for your body, it’s also good for your mind, mood and memory. Walking, doing household chores, climbing the stairs, playing a sport or dancing the night away are all good examples of being active.

Being physically active has other advantages such as easing depression, relieving stress and anxiety, enhancing one’s self esteem and improving one’s overall outlook towards life. You don’t have to spend long, boring hours in a gym to reap these benefits. Whatever your age, health limitations or fitness levels, you can develop an exercise program that’s fun and rewarding and fits well within your life parameters.

If you’re not ready to commit to a structured exercise program, think about physical activity as a lifestyle choice rather than a single task to check off your to-do list. Look at your daily routine and consider ways to sneak in an activity here and there. Even very small activities can add up over the course of a day.

Having said the above, making the right choice of exercise goes a long way in helping one be fit. Making some random choice of exercises can prove to become a deterrent towards you getting fit.

Let me sight few instances of wrong choice of exercises-

1) A person who is on the extreme heavy side (Overweight) should ideally not opt for running as an exercise as it requires to expend more energy and also running will put undue pressure on the joints which will lead to joint damage and injuries.

2) An osteoporotic man who is over 50 years old going to gym to lift weights. Though it is commendable that he is trying to stay active at his age but, lifting heavy weights despite osteoporosis is just straining the joints further.

Another important aspect to take care is never overdo it.

Research has shown that mild to moderate activity is enough to change your life for the better. You don’t have to sweat buckets or run a single step. Moderate activity means:

That you breathe a little heavier than normal, but are not out of breath. For example, you should be able to chat with your walking partner, but not easily sing a song.
That your body feels warmer as you move, but not overheated or very sweaty.

Therefore, making the right choice of exercise is a must.

The factors that are essential for choosing exercises:

-Purpose of exercise

-Age to perform exercises

-Weight

-Interest to exercise

-Medical condition if any

-Daily Routine to be able to spare time for exercise

-Daily Nutritional intake

Always, remember gym is not the only option for one to exercise and stay active. There are exercises that can be done at home, office or a park in the outdoors depending on your interest and purpose.

You can stay Active

-By going for a simple walk

-Brisk walking

-Yoga

-Simple strength and Stretch exercises like push-ups, planks, abdomen exercises that can be done at home

-Aerobics

-Cycling and Hiking

-Play a sport such as Badminton, Tennis, or any other sport

-Play with your kids

-Dancing

-Martial Arts

-and Running

Once you know the purpose to stay active you can automatically choose the right exercise for yourself. Consider all the factors and accordingly make a choice. Preferably if you can get a professional advice before starting on any exercise regime or speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

September 8, 2023 By Anusha Subramanian 2 Comments

“All you want to know about knees and Knee injuries and how to fix it”: Dr Anjana Laungani

Dr. Anjana Laungani

In the last decade or so people have taken to extreme sports like Running (Marathons), Ultra Marathons, Trail Running, Cycling and High Altitude Trekking. But, most are not aware of how to take care of their body or that they should go for a full body assessment to check if all is ok before they start on an extreme activity.

They do not realise that over doing these activities does not help the body in the long run. Many do it because their friends are doing it and many do it because they think this is the only way to prove to people that they are fit, not realising that over doing such extreme sports and doing it without enough knowledge can lead to fatal injuries. One of the worst injuries that people develop is knee injuries.

How can one avoid such injuries while training? Let us understand from Dr Anjana Laungani, a renowned physiotherapist from Mumbai who consults celebrities and has her own brand of a clinic – Physio Rehab in Mumbai tell us how people develop knee injuries and what can be done to avoid and treat such injuries.

She explains that the knee is the most common joint in the body that gets injured and one must understand why that happens. It happens because knees are in between the foot, the hip and the back. Knee sorts of gets whacked around because of any problem that might be there in the foot or in the hip or in the back.

“I call the knee the middle child syndrome, you know how in the family we have an elder child, a younger child, and a middle child gets really whacked around by them and bullied. The knee is exactly treated that way,” says Dr. Anjana.

According to her when one looks at knee injury one should also look at the foot, hip and the back. Because these could actually be the cause of the knee problems. When one is participating in extreme sports, you are not just climbing or running or walking only with your knees, the knee works as a team with the foot, the hip, and the back. This is called the Lower quadrant of the body and they have to work in synchrony with each other.

All those with knee injuries should always get themselves assessed entirety looking at how is the foot alignment. For instance, if you are flat footed you will be prone to injuries. If an individual has a hip muscle which is extremely weak especially the gluteus muscle will he develop knee problems, the risk factor is very high if the individual does not have a very good core muscle that gives him the power to run. Then all he would do is jam the weight of his body into his knee. So commonly according to Dr. Anjana only 20% of people have direct knee problems but 80% have knee problems due to other issues.

It is therefore very important to get assessed and looked at by professionals especially a physiotherapist who can do what we call as a lower limb kinetic chain assessment, these evaluations will give you a very good idea on where the problem is coming from. You need to look at foot you need to look at the hip muscles you need to look at the core muscles which could probably give problems to these areas.

Dr. Anjana says it is best when people approach physiotherapist when they do not have an injury and consult for how to avoid injuries rather than go for treatment after getting themselves injured.

Physio rehab is one such clinic where one does not have to go only when in pain. She and her team work with those who wish to improve their fitness so that they can undertake physical challenges like treks, pilgrimages, adventure holidays, overseas travel etc.

Ranveer Singh with Dr Anjana Laungani at PhysioRehab: Dr Anjana first worked with Ranveer Singh when he had suffered a back injury during the shoot of ‘Lootera’. Thereafter PhysioRehab once again came to his help when he shattered his right shoulder while doing a stunt for ‘Bajirao Mastani’. PhysioRehab helped him come back to fitness and perform all his action shots for the film.

Dr. Anjana has practiced for over 25 years and put together this clinic as a vision to be able to provide quality, scientific physiotherapy services to the community which she thinks was lacking when she started. “I feel that physiotherapy needs to be approached in a more scientific manner, there has to be proper assessment, proper diagnosis and most importantly patient education. I think the patient first needs to understand what is it that is going on with them and actually give them a sense of responsibility,” she concludes.

January 25, 2019 By Anusha Subramanian 1 Comment

From being lazy to being fit as a fiddle

Sense of accomplaihment -Gagan on the right with his team mates successfully having completed his first 100 Km Trail walk

He was Lazy and had no control of his food habits. But, everything changed drastically on the day his daughter was born 2 years ago. That is the day when he felt if not for anyone else, I have to get fit for my daughter. Today, he is no more lazing on the couch. Clocks on an average 10000 or more steps daily, walks 100 km within 48 hours and even goes trekking when time permits …This is Gagandeep Singh Randhawa’s story in his own words.

I was a very lazy person for the longest time. It dawned on me to get fit when my daughter Samaira was born in April 2014. It was to get fit for her so that I can run around and play with her. It was a wake-up call. I knew I had to do something as I was completely inactive and unfit. I was on an entrepreneurial journey and life got busy. I spent long days at work.

I started looking around to figure what options I have. I thought let’s try gym workout. And went and joined a gym. But, my laziness got the better of me and I missed out on going to the gym and working out on a regular basis due to lack of company. Then I started surfing the net to figure other options to get fit. I was looking for a fitness tracker as it was the in thing. That is when I came across GOQii.

I read about it and found it interesting as it was offering a personal coach. I liked the idea of a personal coach as I knew there will be somebody constantly there behind you to make sure you get active. I decided to go in for GOQii and bought the band in May 2014 with Parwage Alam as my coach.

My health goal was to make my core strong and get fit and active. My coach set a target for me to clock a minimum of 10000 steps daily. In order to be able to do this I started walking regularly, I went trekking and regularly attended Active Sunday sessions. If some day my step count was less I would even take a break from work and go for a walk and come back refreshed to my work desk.

Then in December 2014, I pushed my limits further by participating in the 100 km Oxfam trail walk. My coach convinced me that I could do it. It was my first attempt at something like this. And am I glad to say that I completed successfully? It was fun and yet very challenging for me. But, I realized I could push myself and do it.

Within 3 months of getting on board GOQii, I was able to run/walk 10 km. I was on an average clocking 15000 steps daily. Now, I am able to run behind my daughter with ease. GOQii was a good wake-up call for me. I guess when it comes to fitness half the battle is won when you are able to objectively and easily assess how active you are on a daily basis.

We are the Force-Gagan at an Active Sunday Session. ( Gagan seen in extreme right)

It’s been close to two years for me with GOQii and I have enjoyed every bit of my journey to health and fitness.

I have become more cautious about what I eat and when I eat. The whole change in me I would credit to the fact that there is a coach sitting above me and keeping track of what I am doing. The moment you become answerable to someone that is your transformation. I have realized it’s not about losing weight it’s about how healthy and fit you are by exercising, eating and sleeping right and how well you rest.

It’s not only me who has seen a transformation in myself, my family has also seen the change in me. They have never seen me so active or rather I have never been so active. In fact, my family members have got inspired by me and have got themselves the band as well. I gifted my wife a band last year and she is also regular with her step count and being active on a daily basis. She is more into activities like Zumba. GOQii has definitely helped my family and friends get more fit and heart-happy.

My wife and I along with our daughter go on walks. I want my daughter to be rough and tough and for that, I have to be first fit and tough.Lastly, the concept of donating karma points appeals to me a great deal. It gives me a feel good factor.

What does Coach Parwage Alam have to say about Gangandeep?

When Gagan came on board he was completely inactive. He wanted to become active, increase stamina and be fit. He wanted to start running 5km and slowly go up to 10 km. He was very serious about bringing about a change in himself. Looking at his sincerity and seriousness, I suggested to him why just think of 5km and 10 km why not think big?

I suggested why not go ahead and participate in the 100 km Oxfam Trailwalk and practice for it. The goal was to successfully complete the 100 km. For him, it was ‘from the couch to 100 km’. He was very dedicated and practiced hard. Within 3 months he was able to run 10 km and he also completed the 100 km Oxfam Trailwalk. After this, his activities started increasing drastically. He was regular at ‘Active Sundays’. On an average, he would clock 15k steps daily.

The effect of being active has also reflected in his nutrition. He has got more conscious about what he is eating and when and how he is eating. Overall, Gagan has been able to achieve his goals because of his dedication and sincerity and by making small changes to his lifestyle. He has taken all my advice positively. Seeing him motivated motivates me too.

Gagan getting his legs massaged during his first Oxfam Trail walk in 2014

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January 21, 2019 By Anusha Subramanian 3 Comments

Why is it difficult to make a lifestyle change? – 6 tips to follow

In a user story I recently wrote, the player said, “Making a lifestyle change is easy what is difficult is the commitment to follow through with determination”.

Rightly so, it’s indeed considered a tall order and hence many give it up mid-way. Most consider it forced, rather than a positive change to bring about within themselves.

This very attitude and constant cribbing of people around me prompted me to write this piece on why is it so difficult to make a lifestyle change?

Many of us have tried it sometime or the other in our life. Some of us have succeeded while many have found it extremely taxing. Making a lifestyle change is challenging, especially when you want to transform many things at once. Lifestyle changes are a process that take time and require support and lots of patience.

Here are a few tips that you could follow from my personal experience

** Start small. After you’ve identified a realistic short-term and long-term goals, break them down further into small steps that are well defined and can be managed and measured. If your long term goal (6-8 months) is to lose 20 kilos then a good monthly goal would be to reduce about 2 kilos a month in a healthy way. Physiologically too smaller goals gives you sense that it’s achievable and keep you motivated for the long term goal. Look at healthy eating options, eat smaller meals at regular intervals and balanced meals, and replace a dessert with a healthier option, like yogurt. At the end of the month, you’ll feel successful knowing you met your goal.

** Change one behavior at a time. It is said that old habits die hard. That is because behaviors develop over the course of time and replacing then will take a while. Focus on one goal at a time. If need be, get professional help to understand what changes you need to bring about within yourself to become healthy and fit. The problem arises when you try to change things really fast.

** Have a buddy or a personal coach or trainer: It can be anyone from a friend, to a family member, a co-worker or your personal trainer who you want to walk with you in your path to a healthy lifestyle. It works well for both the buddies. Your buddy and you can go for a walk, cycle or run together and keep each other motivated and charged. You can challenge each other to create some excitement in your training and make sure that it is not boring. Having someone with whom you can share your struggles and successes makes the work easier and the mission less intimidating.

** Make a plan that you will stick to. You have to plan in such a way that it will be your guide on this journey of change. Think out of the box and have things in your plan which you have never done before like an adventure or going for sport climbing (artificial wall climbing). But, don’t go haywire and be specific. Time manage well. Detail the time of day when you want to exercise, how long you want to exercise or when you can take walks and how long you’ll walk. Maintain a dairy in which all of these task are jotted down and ask yourself if these activities and goals are realistic for you. If not then start with baby steps.

** Have support around you: Having people around you to support you while you are on your journey towards health will help you to not slack. Don’t feel shy to ask for support wherever and whenever needed if you feel you are unable to meet your goals on your own.

Making the changes that you want takes time and commitment, but you can do it. Just remember that no one is perfect. You will have occasional lapses. Be kind to yourself. When you eat a brownie or skip the gym, don’t give up. Minor bumps on the road to your goals are normal and okay. Resolve to recover and get back on track.

** Self -Motivation: All the above points will help you in your journey to change your lifestyle but, the biggest factor of all and one of the most important factor is being self-motivated. No matter how many buddies you have, no matter what support your dear and near ones will give, no matter how good a plan you make yourself …but none of this will be effective till the time you are self-motivated and want to make the change.

Do it for yourself, do it on your own and feel good at the end of it all. Remember it is not about proving to anyone but yourself.