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When it comes to exercising, distance cannot be a barrier!

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At GOQii we do not believe in barriers. Here is how Trishala Chopra, GOQii Coach celebrated International Yoga day with her players virtually.

It was incredible! It was just a thought in my mind and I did not know how it would turn out. But, I decided to go ahead and try it out.

The thought was that of throwing a challenge to my players on the International Yoga day and check if we could be in different places and actually still be connected on this very day to monitor what my players are doing and if they are doing it right. Let me tell you it was not an easy task.

Nevertheless, I threw open the challenge to my players on June 21st, 2016. I asked them what’s their favourite asanas? Why do they love doing it? And if possible send me a picture of them performing the Asana. I did not expect my players to get back on this. But, I was pleasantly surprised to find that few of my players took up the challenge and informed me of the same.

But, 3 players namely Alka Goutam, Bharat Agarwal and Shailesh took this challenge seriously and filled my dashboard with so many photographs! I was elated at the response I got. Thank you guys!

Few other players -Kanchan, Gokul, Rajeev, Pratiksha and Bindu couldn’t click a picture. The best part of these players was they were attempting Yoga for the first time and took up the challenge.

I can only say thank you all and keep going !!!

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“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy for me but, there is always hope and things do get better”

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He weighed on the heavier side. Could barely keep himself away from junk food. He also smoked and drank and he is all of just 25 years of age. He was on the verge of embracing a disastrous and unhealthy life. To add to this he suffered depression on the personal front and the situation was getting worse. On reflecting upon his situation in isolation he knew it was time for him to correct the situation and commit to a lifestyle with healthy habits.Let’s hear from Ritesh Sharma on his journey towards a healthy lifestyle

My life was a mess. I used to weigh around 90-95 kgs. I used to eat a lot of junk food. I used to drink and smoke a lot. Being a 25-year-old, I was surrounded by my kind of people and everybody was into this grave lifestyle. There was absolutely nothing active about me. I had no physical activities like playing a sport or going to the gym. On the work front too it was sedentary. I worked for a financial services company and most time I was confined to my desk. Also, the work was stressful.

To add to that, an incident took place in my personal life and that led me to a terrible depression. I was completely down and out but, I was also aware that I had to do something and get back on track. The only way I could think of getting back was through fitness. So I knew about Fitbit, Mi band. I looked up for more information on these products and while researching I came across GOQii.

On reading about GOQii I found that this band comes with a coaching facility. I read reviews on GOQii but, I do not go by reviews. I was clear I needed someone at that point in life to talk to me, motivate me and get me back on the right track. I got myself GOQii and Amy Shah is my coach. I realised a qualified professional will be able to answer my queries well and also help me positively. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy for me but, there is always hope and things to do get better.

It’s one of the best things that has happened to me so far. It’s been over 5 months since I am on the GOQii platform and its worked wonders for me. I am completely out of my depression. I have stopped eating junk food. To be precise two things that have completely changed for me is my smoking and drinking. I have drastically reduced my smoking and also I only drink occasionally from the earlier alcohol consumption and binge drinking. I have lost around 5 kgs. Ideally for my height   of 5’ 8” my ideal weight should be around 70 kgs I am told. I am working towards it.

My health goal when I got on board was one was to reduce weight and the second one was to get out my vices completely. I have kind of achieved both partly. I haven’t been able to quit smoking completely but it has drastically reduced. I am eating better and healthy. I have started eating salads and sprouts and eat 6 meals a day.

My coach has also been able to get me do some exercises. I make sure that I run on the treadmill for at least 20 minutes daily. I have started taking the public transport to work instead of driving so there is some amount of walking and I am able to clock at least 7000 steps on an average daily.

Inspired by GOQii and the lifestyle change that I am myself trying to bring about within me, I started my venture Yum Box, which serves organic and healthy fast foods. Since I used to gorge a lot on junk fast food when I was making the change to healthy food, I realised there was very little healthy snacking options. There are many like me who like to do some exercise and would like to eat some fast food. So I discussed with my brother why not start something that is organic and healthy and yet tasty. The idea was well accepted by few others as well. And that is how Yum Box in Gurugram (Gurgaon) started.

We provide free home delivery and its organic fast food which is preservative and chemical free and have a wide range menu and start with an all-day breakfast and have orders till dinner. We have pasta, salads, sandwiches, noodles and this is 100% chemical free and we tend to use olive oil whenever possible.

I feel GOQii for someone like me is apt because it keeps me motivated at all times, thanks to the coach. The only factor that helps me get up in the morning is my coach and I believe that it’s my turn now to support her and show her that I can do it and that I live up to her expectations. I have done so far and intend to continue this.

What does coach Amee Shah have to say about her player Ritesh Sharma?

When Ritesh started with GOQii, was a heavy smoker with a completely erratic life schedule with low activity levels. I got him to start walking and also reduce his driving and take public transport. He followed what I said and this has also helped him reduce his smoking quite a bit. He now follows a regular exercise regime which includes walking daily. He has also regularised his eating pattern and stopped all junk foods. He was so influenced by the GOQii lifestyle that he founded an organic health food startup in Gurugram (Gurgaon) and is highly motivated to maintain his own health and that of everyone around him.

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All you want to know about Green Tea and its Benefits

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Although tea drinking has been associated with health benefits for centuries, only in recent years have its medicinal properties been investigated scientifically. One must recognize the healthy power of tea while getting the most out of their cups.

Tea’s health benefits are largely due to its high content of flavonoids — plant-derived compounds that are antioxidants. Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages and the best food source of a group called ‘Catechins’. Catechins are more powerful than vitamins C and E in halting oxidative damage to cells and appear to have other disease-fighting properties.

Of course, there is no single super food which can protect you from disease, how healthy are your eating habits and how active you are makes a big difference.

Here are some pointers giving information on various aspects of green tea varying from how to select a particular brand to its health benefits.

  • While looking for a Green Tea, look for brands that use all-natural ingredients and have no artificial preservatives. Also, try and opt for these 2 varieties of green tea whenever possible:

(I) Matcha: The green tea leaves are ground into a fine powder, which you can whisk into water for tea. Since  you consume the actual leaves, you get more antioxidants than from other green teas.

(II) Hojicha: Made from green tea leaves that are roasted until they’re dark brown. Because it’s picked at the  end of the season and roasted at a higher heat than other teas, hojicha contains lower levels of caffeine.

  • Ideally, skip the tea bag and opt for fresh leaves. That’s because, with green tea, you want to pour hot water directly over the leaves to extract their essence. Using a tea bag reduces the potency of the chemical reaction. If bagged tea is the only option, cut open the bag and pour water over the contents directly. As for the brewing bit itself, don’t let the water come to a full boil. Instead, pour the water over the tea right before it boils and then let the tea steep for 3-4 minutes.
  • One can take 3-5 cups of green tea in a day. It is advisable to drink green tea in between meals i.e. more than one hour after breakfast and lunch because it contain tannin which may decrease the absorption of iron and folic acid.
  • Green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage.
  • Green tea contains less caffeine than Coffee but enough to produce an effect. It also contains the amino acid L-Theanine, which can work synergistically with Caffeine to improve brain function.
  • Green tea has the properties to lower total and LDL Cholesterol, as well as protects the LDL particles from oxidation. Observational studies show that green tea drinkers have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • Green tea also boosts the metabolic rate and increase fat burning. This in turn helps in reducing weight.
  • Green tea has power anti-oxidants that may protect against cancer. Multiple studies have indicated that green tea drinkers have a lower risk of various types of cancer. Tea catechins are strong antibacterial and antiviral agents which make them effective for treating everything from influenza to cancer. In some studies green tea has been shown to inhibit the spread of many diseases.
  • The bioactive compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on nervous system and may reduce the risk of both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, the two most common neuro degenerative disorders.
  • Green tea gives a feeling of satiety thus reducing the quantity of food one eats.

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“To bring about any lifestyle change you need to be honest with yourself”

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He tried gym workout with a personal trainer for the longest time but, it did not work. It did not give him the required results. All he did was put on more weight. His family members were worried for him as he was single and yet to be married. A little gift from his sister and his own determination and dedication helped him get on the fitness path and change things for himself for the better. Let’s hear Rahul Singh’s story in his own words. 

I am a chemical engineer and I work with a firm that deals with Chemicals. Just to give you a background of my physical stature. I am 6’2” and my weight was around 112 kg around December’15. I was into fitness. I used to go to the gym regularly. My job involves lots of travelling. I travel across pan India and abroad as well. Whenever I was travelling I used to do treadmill in the hotel gym. But there were no effects felt on me. This was despite the fact that I had a personal trainer and also did intensive work out. My weight never shrunk.

My eating habits were not good. I never ate on time and never ate right. I used to have all the junk foods and did not keep a check.

Then one day my sister and folks a home were worried for me as I was getting on the heavier side. That is when my sister gifted me a GOQii. The idea behind giving me the band was also to get me fit and healthy before I get married. I did not know anything about GOQii. I started with a fresh slate.

My coach is Dr. Sangeeta. She started this journey for me and told me what to do and what to focus on. She said that only if I am dedicated and put in efforts will I feel the change. My health goal was weight reduction. As per my height, the ideal weight I should be is around 88-92 kilos.

I got on to a fitness regime. I started cycling and it was Dr. Sangeeta’s idea. I started with around 7-8 km daily and now my stamina has been extended and now I do 100-120 km in a week. Daily I ride about 30 km and weekends I do long rides.

Along with my activity, my coach has also given me food tips which I am following. Earlier I was inclined to junk food like McDonalds. Dr. Sangeeta told me to start with raw food, to start eating salads. I started having salad half an hour before eating food because of that I felt less hungry and thus the actual food intake was comparatively less as compared to the previous one.

My family members also noticed this and my mom joked saying that one month’s food supplies now lasts for two months. I am focusing more on raw foods such as salads and fruits. I have started eating a fruit every day, at least one fruit a day. Earlier, I used to eat one fruit a week, maybe not even that. Now this has all become a habit, it’s not like I’m forced to do it. If I don’t get fruit in a day I feel my meal is not completed.

The result of all this discipline is that I have lost 7-8 kg.  I am at 102 kg. All thanks to GOQii. What has amazed me is that I have brought about only a lifestyle change and changed my eating habits and I am doing it diligently.

GOQii as a band is very good. The person using GOQii has to be very honest and very crystal clear in his ideas. You have, to be honest with updating your daily logs and input all your daily activities, daily logs in the app. You have to also be honest with your coach. If you’re hiding things about what you are eating and doing then you are likely to not benefit. I am happy with my coach and she has actually she has taught me so many things and brought new ideas and concepts to the table that has helped me a great deal.

With regard to step counts to be very frank, for the past one and a half month, I’m not actually counting my steps. I’m actually counting my kilometres of cycling and I do share it with Dr. Sangeeta on a daily basis. But, I guess on an average daily when I go 30-35 km it’s almost same across my target of 12000 steps. I’ve seen it usually reaches 10000-11000 step mark. And in my daily activity, 3000-4000 are my average steps which I do. So I’m easily at 13000-14000 steps daily. And the target steps for me is 12000, so I cross that.

I like this band and I’m one of GOQii’s ardent fans. People around me are also seeing the change in me and I am recommending GOQii to people who I think need it.

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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 […]