Holistic, healthy and happy

As we start the year with renewed fitness goals,  experts  share the trends to watch out for and what is the best way to achieve those lofty fitness goals...

Everyone has heard of this oft-dispensed advice — we should eat better, exercise regularly and get more sleep. So much so that it has now become a cliché. Stepping into the year touted by all to bring wholesome health to the fore, many fitness buffs and experts have skimmed through fads and come up with ways to attain fitness, body and mind.

Experts share trends that will see a rage this year, and also give some insights on how to take things forward, and not give up.

Umar Farooq, a fitness trainer who was trained in the UAE talks about how to actually achieve one’s fitness goals, and how important it is to not commit to something unachievable.

He says, “There are many people who think joining a gym will change their lives but they don’t realise that a certain mindset needs to be set on this journey to becoming fit. People should explore different kinds of training not just normal cardio. Activities they enjoy like sports or boxing, should be included.”

Talking about the emerging fitness trends, Umar explains, “Many people have started exploring vertical fitness like dance and yoga training, etc. And now, since more and more ventures are offering health food kits, many corporates are signing up for a year’s subscription because food plays an important role in attaining a healthy lifestyle, not just work-outs. Some people also go on Ketogenic diets that might not be suitable for everyone.”

There is Lakhan Ahuja, a 24-year-old trainer who recommends taking one small step at a time  to a healthy lifestyle. He says, “The whole concepts of fitness should be adapted as a lifestyle especially for a person who sits in front of the computer for almost 10 hours a day. For them, even half-an-hour of walking will be a drastic change, and impact their lifestyle. Being realistic about goals is something that should be taken seriously. I have witnessed many people who would work out for two months straight, lose tonnes of weight but go back to their earlier habits. That can be quite unhealthy. It is the same with food, suddenly eating what your body is not accustomed to is wrong, instead balance it out and substitute old food with healthier versions.”

Dancer-cum TRX-trainer, Sourima Das, would rather dedicate a full hour to a workout than do the fitbit routine that everyone is going overboard with. Sourima explains, “Always stick to basics, understand the body, the kind of food one has rather than being clueless. Strength training and high-intensity interval training has helped me personally and even Ketogenic diets have helped me, transformed my life. It involves drastically reducing carbohydrates and replacing it with fat. The reduction in carb puts your body into a high metabolic state.”

Nutrition tips

• Cut sugar completely out of your diet, whether in the form of tea, coffee or ice creams.
• Substitute sugary foods with fruits that will balance the amount of sugar intake.
• Swear by brown rice. It is easy to cook and is also very nutritious.
• A quick dish recommendation by an expert: Grilled chicken with vegetables and brown rice.