Tips for a healthy lifestyle
“Weight loss doesn’t begin in the gym with a dumb bell; it starts in your head with a decision.”
You don’t necessarily need fancy gadgets to start running, neither do you need expensive track-suits to do the first forward-lunge, or pay someone to learn how to plank. The most stubborn hurdle in your path to a healthy lifestyle is your MIND. It plays silly tricks you see, it misleads you about your capabilities and tries to glorify short-cuts. But train it and all your goals will start moving into done-done folder.
Just do it. First day. Second Day. Every day.
Without a doubt, training the body is much much easier than the mind.
I am a work in progress, and working on myself is probably one of my best endeavours. Unless you feel good about yourself, smile often and laugh heartily, how will you convince the world to do the same?
There is no shortcut, trust me. I was once naive enough to believe in crash courses – diets and workout routines, but whatever I lost would come back in half that time. If I can spend on moisturisers and go for hair spas, I can for sure do some push ups to keep my arms strong.
It’s not a struggle, it’s an adventure when every day you realize how much more you can push yourself. You feel proud, you tell everyone, you smile, convince others and feel even more proud!!
So what do I do exactly? Let me just share few things that worked for me.
Break it down
Don’t look at the big picture and go ‘OMG! I can’t do that!‘. Split it. Have monthly goals, fortnightly or even weekly goals. Try to conquer bit by bit. This is why I love one-month challenges like push up or splits. If you are a beginner, google and you will find all kind of challenges. Find your groove, set your mind and do it.
My living room is my gym :). I don’t have a trainer, neither do I attend any class (although I really want to). Start with simple routine, follow it diligently and then move forward. The first thing I do while learning something new is read and watch videos on how NOT to do stuff. So if you are like me, invest some time to educate yourself.
And don’t forget to celebrate small achievements – be it weight loss, plank challenges, staying away from fast food or even drinking water.
Listen to your body
Well, you all know that Yoga is my mojo. I love all sort of core building moves and dancing too, which is an awesome workout in itself.
But I can’t run to even save my skin, my dislike for running increases with every meter I cover. There are so many options these days now – Zumba, pilates, cardio, weight training. Pick whatever works for you. Pack your kids and husband/wife and go indoor rock climbing, challenge a match of badminton, buy a skipping rope and start skipping, wear a good pair of trainers and go brisk walking or even swimming.
Did I tell you that I learn swimming only last year? Because I was tired of being so afraid of water all the time.
And if nothing works, let yourself lose in the wilderness once in a while. Walk across rugged terrain, listen to the wild rustling of leaves and maybe even find yourself a waterfall … to admire and write poems about.
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| Last year, hiking in Blue Mountains |
Eat Healthy
Don’t you cut down negative people or throw away things that bring back bad memories? Similarly you need to keep a tab of things that you are letting your body to process and absorb. If you read my blog, you would know what a nutcrack adventurous foodie I am. I don’t hold back in trying out new cuisines, but not without maintaining a balance.
I guess in that matter I have been fortunate as I dislike potato fries, didn’t take much convincing three years ago to stop eating at KFC/McD, can’t drink any soda drink as it burns my throat and rarely drink alcohol.
I prepare Indian cuisine that includes rice/roti with vegetables/lentils/beans. There’s not a single vegetable I dislike and my husband has to drag we away from grocery stalls as I uncontrollably start hoarding vegetables in the cart. Once a week I prepare chicken and egg curry. Friday is my cheat day when I explore the corners of Sydney looking for awesome dumplings, Laksa or Tonkatsu. I eat three times a day – breakfast, lunch, dinner and about 3 cups of green tea in between. If I am hungry I snack on Sushi roll and have a big jar filled with unshelled walnuts in the kitchen cabinet (the only trouble with that is the resulting dent at the bottom of the cooker I use to break them 😛 If only I was that strong … sigh!!! )
More tips in the below Infographics as well.
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| Source Cotopaxi Cotopaxi is a company that believes in a lot of the same principles that I mentioned in the post. Not only do they encourage getting outside and staying active, but they donate a percentage of every sale to their favorite health, education, and livelihood organizations around the world! Some of their most popular products are their hiking backpacks! |
I seriously hope I didn’t sound preachy and scared away the readers.
Do let me know your health hacks in the comment section.
Word hard and stay humble!
Fantastic tips ! I so agree with the "Just Do ti . First Day Second Day third day part. Consistency is so important !
Thank you for this lovely post! It is exactly what I needed right now 🙂
Some excellent advice here. I'm not always the greatest at working out – age, arthritis and asthma have all played a part in that. No more excuses! Thank you.
I love the quotes in your post, Raj. Health is a very serious matter and we must cultivate the habit of focusing on keeping ourselves healthy. I hate to run, too and compensate by walking super-briskly. All other exercise is great. Being active makes life more exciting, I've noticed. Loving your photos on Instagram! Great infographic in your post, too!
Excellent post and I'm glad to have found your blog – you seem to have quite a few posts on weight loss. It's a journey I'm embarking on, slowly, gently, with a lot of kindness and body positivity.
Cheers!
Modern Gypsy
Few years ago I read this book by Rujuta Diwekar "Don't lose your mind, lose your weight" and it helped me lose 8 kgs in one year (all of which I gained back again when I moved cities and had lifestyle changes). But I still do swear by her tips. Yours are pretty close to hers and quite doable too. I've gotta get back on track and your post has inspired me again. Thanks! By the way, it's easier to crack the walnut by holding it between the side ledge of your door and shutting it with the nut held there for cracking. Spare the poor dented cooker! 😉
very timely post, agreed with everything you said. Now I realised so many excuses I was making and have started making small changes. I have renewed my commitment and started yoga again in the early hours and close with meditation in the morning. I have started with rotis for the family with vegetables as all of us need to be healthy, avoiding rice which used to make us feel full stomach. On weekends some chicken or fish. Training my mind to believe and stay active and positive. Thanks for motivating me:)
I am not a fan of green tea but I try to do yoga as much as possible. I don't really cut down on anything because I want to slim up. Fried stuff is bad for me because my system can't process it well but I also have my cheat days. I can't just practice by myself. I need guidance. Until such time I can without guidance, pre – planned yoga is the way to go 😊
Your commitment towards health and fitness is awe-inspiring! I have started baby steps in this direction… a long way to go, but nevertheless a beginning! Hope I can stick to it!
And you just become more and more inspiring! I've often complained about lack of facility or time or space as excuses to not doing exercise and an explanation to weight gain. I've learnt control food though, and it's time I listened to my body like you said. 🙂
Thats such a informative post.. Thanks for sharing and yes am gonna start implementing
You are inspiring. I love your yoga poses and I can quite believe that you've found the balance most of us crave. I am at the beginning of yet another fitness journey. I've been exercising since I was 10 as I have a very very slow metabolism but when you've been at it for so long it sometimes gets boring and I give it up. But then I have to get back to it always.
Now, you inspiring the lazy soul in me to start slowly with exercise. True, the mind wreck havoc on us and how. Love the idea of walking the nature terrain and am sure it soothes us, ringing in creative idead:)
Nice post. Nature works well for me. I'll have to get back to my morning walks asap.:)
So did you go back to walking 🙂 thank you
Thank you for writing such an insightful post on fitness. I guess you are the only person who has recommended monthly challenges. That's really something we all can indulge in. It's been just a two months that I have started keeping a tab on my workout schedule (mostly walking and skipping) and it definitely keeps me happy. The early morning walks are something I look forward to but mostly miss. But I do try and cover it up in the evenings. The doctor gives a deadly look and announces the need to reduce at least twenty kgs without giving a reasonable time frame. I have failed time and again. But now that I am on my own, it looks workable. Thanks for sharing your YouTube list. Great resource this is.
I love how you are keeping a good schedule 😀 Doctor will be praising you soon enough 🙂 Thank you so much 😀
All sensible points, Raj. I would say check once with your doctor before you begin any exercise regimen. Also a trainer is a good idea to learn a discipline correctly. While it is good too have health goals, it is important to commit to a lifestyle of living healthy, eating healthy, well and real food and exercising daily. As women grow older, they need invest in strength training to keep their bones healthy. Oh l could go on and on. I have seen people pick up exercise and drop it. Lack of time they say. Well if you dint make time for your body today, it will bail out on you tomorrow. Nice reminder here.
Yes, it is my plan to attend a class sooner, once the summer is here 🙂 I have started keeping a food log too now, inspired by you 🙂 Thank you.
Brilliantly written Raj! My thoughts could resonate where you wrote about feeling proud when you're able to achieve your goals! Believe me, when I was doing yoga in between, I never knew I could so many of the asans and yet I did and I was dancing with joy telling everybody about my moves, no matter how flat they were 😛
I soon plan to go back on that track!
Loved your article! And no, it wasn't preachy!
Cheers
Geets
hahaha I am exactly like that 😀 it feels so amazing doesn't it 😀 Thank you
Nice Tips, I come across similar one line "Move More, Eat Less"
Thank you Vishnu 😀
Great post Raji and I couldn't agree more. I love to walk and then Yoga is my workout. So from this month, I am on a 50-50 thing. I go to Yoga – 4 days a week and in between the 3 alternate days is walk. I am enjoying it. Coming to food – totally Indian veg and I cheat with non-veg when I get time. In between ginger tea, tulsi tea or lemon honey tea. Haven't lost any grams ever but I enjoy staying energetic throughout the day 🙂
And yes, you were not at all preachy.
Wow your week is so packed 😀 You are fully into it 😀 I too love trying out different teas, keeps me relaxed 😀
I love this post, Raj and it comes at a perfect time, as you already know based on the last post on my blog. I've started walking again, eating right and being mindful of the amount of time I spend on my health and it's already showing in my stamina levels. I love the breakdown of this and no, it does not sound one bit preachy. Sharing this.
I love following your updates, it keeps me inspired too 😀
No, Raj, you did not sound preachy at all. It was the best advice, believe me. And also very practical. I so believe in NOT going on crash diets. They do more harm than good. Just eat healthy food very 3 hours, exercise diligently and have patience. And the most important one: love yourself
unconditionally and remember what a beautiful human being you are! That's it, right?
true, one needs to love yourself first. Thank you Shilpa 😀