Carrot & Stick!

The weightloss battle is one of the hardest we will ever wage in our lives. This is also the longest battle we will fight - for the rest of our lives! Lets face it...after 25 we put on a kg naturally every year and its harder and harder to keep the metabolism up.

Why do we need to fight this battle - to be healthy, to build discipline and will power, to have more stamina and be able to pursue activities we love (treking, dancing etc), to look our best and to have control. Its the one thing we can control and that brings a great deal of self satisfaction.

Why did I name this post Carrot and stick? Well we're all motivated differently - some by the carrot and some by the proverbial stick. But for those who are motivated by the carrot, this weight loss battle is one hard uphill climb initially because the first results are slow to come by and hard to hold onto.

However, I promise you, if you stick to it, you'll beat the plateau and love what you are trying to achieve and why. Please do stick to it. It might seem at various points that you lose a little and it comes back on. Remember weight fluctuates on a daily basis and if you lost that 1 it is on the verge of disappearing forever. Just stay committed for the next couple of days and you'll come away a winner.

Overall, I think enjoying a healthy balanced lifestyle is important but lets not give up on our goals because they seem a little tedious. If thousands around us can do it - SO CAN WE.

I have a serious heel pain. It is right now restricting free movement. Plus my job requires me to be on my feet for at least 3 hours a day and it is killing me. If you know any remedy, quick and hassle free preferably, please let me know. I have not even been working out; so have no clue what is causing it.

Injury

So, after giving full gyaan about figuring out the best cardio workout for me I started to feel a growing pain in my feet. My heels couldn't take anymore impact and as I squeezed a near one hour workout in the afternoon I gave myself no time to stretch, which I realized is time consuming but your best bet against injuries at the gym. I did an express stretch of merely five minutes which in itself was bad cause I was hurrying the process. I learned three lessons from my injury and reading alot on the internet.

Lesson 1: Stretch

Positively before and after your cardio work outs. If you have never done stretches ask the physio therapist or instructor at the gym. Get it right and you will have a fun filled exercise life. Especially calf muscles, the back and ankles to hold that whole body up when you are pounding on that treadmill.

Lesson 2: Rest

With two of us injured sitting in London, we can only tell you stop when you are injured. Importantly, the feet or heel. Give your feet rest and time to recover but don't let go of other kind of exercises. If you are not used to strenuous exercise build slowly (although you might want to jump steps like I did). Figure out what your body is telling you. If you do weights your muscles will scream in pain the next day -- that is not injury. Rem the 48 hour rest period -- Alternate the cardio and strengthening workouts cause your muscles need to rest before they can jump back up. So five days of continuous full on cardio workouts may work against you (I should have known this but cause I don't like weights I just thought it would be alright)

Lesson 3: Water

And a lot of it. Apparently drinking at least 3 litres of water is good when you are exercising. Swimming - one of the best exercises for form, fitness and if you have feet injury. Steam or using the sauna can also detoxify.

I am not claiming I do all of this but I don't want you all following the same rabbit hole and this is sort of a form of rant so that I realize what I am not doing right and what I should be doing.

And, Idlis are God's Gift to mankind! 

Speak now or forever be silent

     Hey guys, if no objection I would like to open our blog to general viewers so that we may get more comments or viewership... your friends might wanna see it and get pumped up reading it. It is a bit personal so let me know if you are ABSOLUTELY against it. :-)

Hatha

     So, after all this excitement about running and zumba classes I have realized that my fitness level is below plunge. Yes, that's right! I just came up with a new low. My heels have begun to hurt because of high impact while walking and jumping around in the zumba class.
     I have already stopped running and substituted it with elliptical (with this my posture and back some how feels uneasy) and cycling (my bum hurts after sitting for too long and sitting at the desk for the whole day).
     I have already started grumbling about the E&C workouts so my plan is to do two weeks of yoga. Although it will not be high cardio workout it will at least make me flexible? waaiiill! Will keep you posted about it.

     Till then check this out -- http://www.yoganu.com/

On Loop

Keep repeating this to yourself. It worked for me. For the two months that my mom was here I used to hit the gym in the afternoon, which was after coaxing my boss to give me an extra fifteen min for lunch so that I could shower and get back to work (didn't want a stinker sitting next to him ;-) But now after my mom left everytime I don't step out at 1PM I get jittery like I haven't done something that I am supposed to. Although I hate routines and I am guilty of not really falling into the exercise routine the fact that I am even thinking of it is a huge step for me.

     So think, repeat and do. Let's go girls! Anyone doing anything???

Congratulations Pavithra.  It is the most crucial time, so don’t let go and gain that entire weight back girl. Get a grip n picture that gorgeous curve you are going to have on D-day.

I hope all you girls get this. I think it is my maiden blog post! I have only put on weight since this blog. I can think of nothing but food of late. Plus all those cook shows on TV! Not helping my cause. Sigh!!!!

Countdown

COUNTING CALORIES


Use this website to find out how much calories you need to cut and keep a tight leash on it. Every product maker needs to give you the calorie break up on the packet so look at it before buying.
     For example today, I picked up an egg sandwich thinking I should eat proteins for breakfast (Tick check box) but what I failed to realize was that Mayo was the topping (Cross check box), which in the end had given me double the calories than what I expected I would get.
     Sometimes, we assume what we eat is healthy but it is not. Worth taking a double look before buying.
     If you don't want that Dorritos packet giving you the inviting, seductive look then stop buying it. - Read it in some article in a random website and paraphrased it.
     Be consistent. For at least the next 6 months, eating healthy should become a lifestyle not an one-off event. That means not eating over the weekend. You hold back on the calories through the week and plunge into an eat-all-you-can buffet then you gain all the calories you lost over the last five days. It is just counter productive. I realized that is what I am doing and I am going to phase it out of my life.
     This is more of a ramble to myself than telling you guys what to do. But it helps penning it down. Also bought a book for myself and started to note down what I ate and how I felt afterwards, if at all I had any emotion about it.

HALP!

Hey Ladies,

I don't know you from adam and the only person who I know and is a close dear friend is Anu. However, through these years of blogging...I do feel like you are friends...people I understand and relate to. And this blog you are also the sisterhood - you're fighting the same battle with the same tools and it's awesome!

Right now, I need help. I really do. I'm panicking and I have no idea where to start for all the lectures I've been giving you girls!

To break the news, I'm getting engaged in Nov and married in April next year. I have 7 months to look great and get fit. However, while this should be a great motivating factor for most women, I am only eating more and lazing about more. In other words leaping these two milestones I just mentioned and officially looking 4 months pregnant!!

What do I do? And how do I do it? Please help!The problem is, that no matter how hard I try to diet and be healthy I seem to falter every 3-4 days and I have seen no results in the last one month. This is highly de-motivating and I don't know how to break the cycle, see some result and find a motivation to keep going long term.

Tips, tricks, philosophy...anything you can give me to set me on the path will be much appreciated.

xoxo

Emotional Eating.

I have fallen off the wagon. I ate and ate chicken korma and rice throughout the weekend and cupcakes. I am good for five working days in the week but if I am sitting at home or going out I end up eating unhealthy stuff. Also, I had a huge fight and the only thing I could fall back on was food.. Talking helped a bit and so did exercise. But it wasn't enough. I needed the comfort of food. Is there anyway or anything you guys to do stop?

Please help! :)

Back to Basics

I've been yo-yoing with my diet. Good for a day - bad for two days, good for half a day, bad for yadayada..

However, I'ts been 4 days of being good now - feels great! Lets not lose the focus girls.

I know we talked about healthy lifestyle but I'm realising I am very goal oriented. So, I have a goal of losing 5 kgs in 3 months and I have an end date of 18th Sep.

I'm hoping this will help me stay on the straight and curvy!

Cravings

I can't I can't I can't stop thinking of food today. Waiiilll!!! I had a healthy breakfast of eggs and healthy lunch of salad and yogurt but now all that is running in my head is FOOD! FOOD!! FOOD!!!

Heeelllpppppp aaaayyyyyaaaahhhhhhh.... *Creeps towards food bar*

Inner Beast

Hello ladies!

I understand that this post might seem a little out of place and context but bear with me while I explain myself..

What is the biggest tool in our hands at all times? huh? huh? Well the correct answer is introspection. And so I used that tool for the past few days. Do you know what happened?

Yes I did find my epiphany!

You see I've often wondered why exactly I can stick to healthy eating for a month but then totally slide after that whereas supermodels eat healthy all the bloody time! I've also wondered why when I love swimming I go regularly for about three months and then again slide for the rest of the year whereas people like my dad can keep at it every alternate day for 10 years consistently! This has been an underlying trend in everything I have ever attempted to do. Blogging...petered away when we all stopped, art - stuck to it for a month, piano - 6 months and the list goes on! :(

The answer is not something superficial such as motivation or interest or just needing the right information because I always had all of that. Deeper thought made me realise my true problem is that I am inherently lazy. I am. Harsh reality but I am. I don't do the dishes at night at times coz I'm too lazy and guess what there's nobody to tell me to toe the line. I don't do laundry for extended periods of time and sometimes I put off cleaning up. I am purely and simply lazy. And this trickles into every sphere of my life. Luckily I've found a profession that leads me to a new and exciting project every 3 months and I manage to stay on top of it. But if I didn't have that I'd never get to the end of anythng that took real effort, discipline and perseverance.

Each of our situations and real root problems is different. But I've identified mine and it is laziness. I've already started attacking this beast since the weekend like getting up to do 'it' no matter what like be it anything in any sphere. No more putting it off. And I think taming this beast will help me lead that healthy life I want to lead.

So what is your inner beast?

Gym Class Zeros to Gym Class Heroes

     After S wrote the post asking about the Dos and Don'ts I realised I had the same problem when I first joined a gym. I did not like the trainer and avoided him like the plague. But when I moved to Mumbai, the gym had two fun trainers who pushed me to do more but at least did not force upon me things I didn't like. For example, they coaxed me to run even when I couldn't but did not push me to do sit up with weights because my back hurt and did not like it.
     But what they did teach me and this could help gym beginners or just work-out beginners as it did for me.
     -- You have to mix cardio and weights - weights like any misconception doesn't make you look fat after you stopped. You will look and become fat if you stop exercising. Period. But in case you just don't want to take a chance with weights then with cardio you need to remember that the body needs at least 24 hours to repair itself. So if you do cardio in the afternoon like I do, going next day morning might feel alright but the body needs more time to heal.
     -- Which brings me to the second point - keep a schedule. Do it daily at 6pm in the evening or 7am in the morning. Once you fix a timing other committments can be worked around it.
     -- With the exercise days I alternated them a couple of months back. I used to go Monday, Tuesday take a break of Wednesday and do Thursday and Friday but most often than not I hated doing anything on Mondays let alone workout! So, now I do four continuous days of cardio (zumba uses light weights - helps in tightening those arm muscles that hang and wobble :-))
     -- Get a couple of days of yoga into the schedule if you can. It gives upper body strength and makes you more flexible. I thought it would be boring but once I entered the class and started it I can honestly say I remembered only how happy I was doing the Shavasana at the end of the session.
     -- Have a routine and push yourself harder. I can give others excuses but I cannot fool myself into believing that I am doing the right thing.
     -- And golden rule after cardio - an ABSOLUTE MUST - stretch stretch stretch!
    
This is what I am going to try doing. Picked it up from this website. Like the website suggests, go for the distance or go for the timing. I am hoping to go for the timing.


Have fun :) Update progress

Week	Workout 1	Workout 2	Workout 3
1	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
2	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
3	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)
4	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
5	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes) Walk 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking.
6	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2-1/4 miles (or 22 minutes) with no walking.
7	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).
8	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).
9	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).	The final workout! Congratulations! Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).

My First Step..

JOINED THE GYM.

I never once thought i will be stepping on the doors of a place filled with the big machines which will make me sweat and loose weight ..

But recently with all the motivation in air i wanted to do somethin and....taaddaa .... i joined a gym.... 

Since this is my first time.. need help on Do's and Dont's.

PS: jus paid the membership ;) 

Good News! :)

Checked my weight after about two weeks of dieting--or contained eating--if there's a term.

I was 47.7. Now I am 45!!! So happy :). Just wanted to share this. 

I want to eat something to celebrate now :). 

Happiness.....!!!!!!

When the Pizza Passed Away...

It died a silent death. 

D walked towards my small table on the terrace, and tapped my puny shoulder. Her plate smelled of heaven. Of all the temptations that life on earth is peppered with: A dominos barbeque chicken, cheese burst pizza. I love.

She pulled that vulnerable chair next to mine and plonked herself and politely held out my-ex-staple-diet, "Want some?" I gave it one hard look, a look its shiny, oreganoey, chickeny self, deserved. Some? I want every single inch. Never in my life have I felt so depraved.

I looked away, while the other half of my body revolted...a small mutiny later, I refused with a heavy heart..and a heavier belly.  And I sat there watching her slowly soak in its delectable beauty. 

This is so hard. But I just don't want to hate myself in a couple of hours. Small pleasure, HUGE pain.

So I let it die a not-so-natural-death.. RIP..You will be terribly missed...till I let myself conquer the desire to break-free. And I reach a place where food makes me happy, not guilty.

  

Dedicated to Pavithra and Anu...

PS: This is so hard and I am salivating..But say no now, so that you can give yourself a treat..a well deserved one. 

Sloth

I need a motivational lecture. This has been a weekend of sloth. It satrted at 5 pm on Friday and has continued into Monday morning.

I do not want to list the upmteen number of junk foods I've consumed in the past 72 hours as I do not want to take you down with me.

But please somebody give me some direction and pull me back on track! This weight loss attempt isn't pointless right? Right?

the Gas system

Is it me or is there more gas in your tummy after eating salads?

My office has been relatively quiet as most of our reporters are working from home. London transport authorities sufficiently scared the bejeesus out of most of the Londoners saying that public transport systems would be packed with tourists and Olympic goers. (I have had the best commute since I joined Platts, Canary Wharf last year - getting a seat to sit in peak morning hours was a dream)

My point being, my tummy whines with gas and EVERYONE till Timbaktoo can hear it and it aint pretty!

It shuts up even the profanity spewing employee of the month at my office! Waaaiiil! I knew there was a downside to eating veggies. Any solution?

Help.

I Have Sinned...

Boss took us out for lunch to Rajdhani in UB City. Boss is veg. Rajdhani serves only veg food. I ate. Almost everything that was on the plate. Even the sweet dish.

But I looked away when the second serving came along. Only if the waiter would let me be. He put some Khichdi with a big spoon of Ghee. And the plate lit up like a sunny day. 

I ate it all up. I would have loved for the waiter to do sales for my company, he was so persistent. Came running to my  guilty empty plate and threw a small helping of rice. Sweet kadi had to leave its residence.

Now I am feeling bloated. My stomach is full of veg calories.

And I wish my boss was a meat-eating freak...not a sober herbivore...I so wish.

But today, I have sinned.