Showing posts with label Dieting Myths. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dieting Myths. Show all posts
Yoga is the road to Happiness - Shilpa Shetty Kundra | Interview
If there is anyone from the Indian film industry who has promoted Yoga like no other, it is Shilpa Shetty Kundra. The actress and entrepreneur, who often takes to social media and discusses the importance of overall wellbeing, has always spoken about the benefits of this ancient exercise and healing form. With a perfectly toned body that inspires several fans everyday, Shilpa has always advocated the art of eating well and balancing it out with a dedicated exercise routine everyday. Her 'Sunday Binge' videos have always been a 'treat' to watch on social media. However, the actress confesses that it is 'Yoga' that helps her maintain this fine balance.
On International Yoga Day, here's Shilpa talking about her workout routine, diet and why she has always focused on the benefits of Yoga.
What is your daily workout routine like?
If I can't do my entire workout regime, I make sure that I concentrate on my breathing for at least 15 minutes a day. I follow my fitness schedule thrice a week. It includes Yoga and weight training. There are also rope workouts, which I really enjoy learning. I am also doing advance yoga right now, so that requires a lot of core strength building. You need to understand that once you are over 35 years of age, you lose a lot of muscle mass and bone density. You need to work on strength and agility. There are different kinds of workouts that help you target different problems and different body parts.
You need to understand that once you are over 35 years of age, you lose a lot of muscle mass and bone density. You need to work on strength and agility
You mentioned that you focus on Yoga and Weight Training. So, do you devote some time for cardio as well?
I just walk take the stairs wherever I can. There is no separate cardio session that I focus on.
Diet plays a crucial role in overall well being. What are some of the rules you have set, when it comes to food? Is there any specific diet that you follow?
I have made a few modifications. I eat a heavy breakfast, heavy lunch and a lighter dinner. You only need energy in the day that is why we need to keep the carbs low at night. I take a high-protein fibre diet. It is important to choose the right carbs. I eat lots of raw vegetables and fruits, that have fibre and minerals.
You feel peaceful after doing yoga and peace equals to happiness. I feel yoga is the road to happiness
What are some food items that you try to avoid?
I try to avoid refined things like white sugar, white bread and fine flour. Not so much rice though. I try and stick to red rice and brown rice. A few times, if I like to have naan with butter or biryani, I do
indulge in it.
Water intake is another important element, that people often forget. How do you ensure your water intake is balanced?
I have at least two litres of water, that is, eight to 10 glasses of water. It may not necessarily be just water. It can be lime water with mint. I always carry a glass bottle that has mint, sauf (fennel seed)
and jeera (black cumin).
You have always stressed on the importance of Yoga. When was the first time you leaned towards this ancient form of exercise?
I was suffering from cervical spondylosis and my physiotherapist advised me to do yoga. That is how I got into this and realised that it not only healed my neck, but had strengthened it as well. The most important thing about any injury is that you need to strengthen it back again from the core. And yoga helps you do that. Yoga is quite brilliant. You feel peaceful after doing yoga and peace equals to happiness. I feel yoga is the road to happiness.
What is that one special element about Yoga, that stands out for you?
Yoga is all about body balance and building core strength. It not only strengthens your body, but also your mind and bones and the alignment of these three aspects of your life make you far more centred, energetic and stronger.
What according to you would be the best time to perform Yoga?
Early morning or evening before sunset is great, as long as you haven’t eaten at least 2-3 hrs before.
Another thing that you have stressed on is 'Savasana'. What makes this simple, yet crucial asana so special?
Savasana relaxes the body and stomach breathing improves circulation, concentration and relaxes the muscles. It is greatly beneficial for mental health as it calms the nerves.
Is 'Yoga' a part of your everyday workout routine? Leave a comment below with your thoughts on Yoga or Join the conversation on
5 dieting and fitness myths busted | Health
Since childhood, we have all been taught that health is our greatest wealth. To swear by this golden rule in life, people opt for various methods, which include hitting the gym, signing up for various fitness classes, and of course, dieting. The fact that several hundred diet courses are available in the market, only shows its great demand. However, along with such fads come several myths that often lead to confusion. What is a boon in one plan, may turn out to be a bane in the other. So what should one do? Well, just act sensible and find out the right combination of exercise and food plan that works for you. And no, crash dieting doesn't work. We list down 5 myths related to good health.
☻“I run on the treadmill every day, which means I am fit” - Erm, no! Spending 15 random minutes on the treadmill is not everything. While at the gym, shut off the world (the gym is not a place to gossip) and divert all your attention to the workout. Follow the instructor’s advice and focus on different parts of your body each day. Work on your stamina, track your progress regularly, and make note of your strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, include brisk walking, yoga or a fun activity for added benefits. Don’t treat it as a formal drill, make healthy living your lifestyle.
☻“I am losing weight, because I am on a juice diet” - Juice diet may work as good detox for a day or two, but skipping meals entirely and starving yourself by only drinking fruit juices for days and weeks is insane. During the course, you may end up feeling weak & exhausted, or even worse, falling sick. Your body needs healthy solid foodstuff too. Balanced meals are the way to go.
☻“I had a heavy breakfast, so I can skip my lunch” - Not really! A heavy breakfast helps you stay on your toes all day, but the lunch will help you cope with the later (more exhaustive) part of the day. A wholesome, nutritious lunch is extremely important. Don’t eat till you stuff your face and feel like throwing up. Divide the day’s food plan into 5–6 small meals.
☻“The plan worked for my friend, who is the same age, so it will work on me too” - Kidding, right? No two individuals are the same, and everybody has different requirements. A lot of factors, including your BMI (Body Mass Index), internal and external health issues, family health history among other things, have to be kept in mind before you go ahead with a fitness or food routine. Plus, the key areas that need to be worked upon differ too. So, think twice before you blindly follow a family member, peer, or favourite celebrity’s fitness/food plan.
☻“I had a bowl full of fresh fruits in the morning. Having a plate of French fries now causes no harm.” - If you have committed to following a particular routine, stick to it. Don’t cause disruptions that can ruin your health during the course. A few cheats once a week are fine, but otherwise, junk food items that do no good to your body are best avoided.
While there are several myths, the best you can do for yourself is to take control of your life at the right time. And if you still dread the consequences of all the time that you have wasted earlier, opting for a health insurance plan may be a good choice. We recently came across Royal Sundaram’s Health Insurance Plan, and after learning how they have been at the forefront of innovative insurance solutions since several years, we definitely thought of giving it a serious thought. After all, precaution is always better than cure, and your health is definitely more precious than anything else under the sun. You may act lazy, make excuses, and try convincing yourself that you don’t need to make that extra effort, but remember, in the end, it is YOU who will reap the benefit.
-- This post is written in collaboration with Royal Sundaram --
Love,
The Dancebee
