“I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FIT”, at least that was the illusion I mollified myself with at times when the mirror spoke the truth or my heart would start palpitating after a mediocre jog. Not so long thereafter on a warm California evening last summer I realized that I must stop lying and actually make efforts towards the cause, so that I can positively say that “I AM FIT”!
Sounds simple enough. I got a plan and I have done this before, didn’t I? I was a dedicated dancer who has practiced the discipline 3-4 hours a day; and mind you Indian Classical dancing is no mean feat! I can definitely do this, and saying so I commence my journey of losing those extra 20 pounds from my ideal weight and body goals. A journey to become my own version 2.0, new and improved and fit and…well you get the gist!
I just need to do a few things -
1. Find Time
2. Find a workout place
3. Work on a diet plan ( And I DO NOT mean skipping meals OR following GM diets and other shortcuts)
4. Avoid junk
5. Set realistic and right expectations
6. Incorporate Variety
Simple enough! Well not so much. I am not a twenty something anymore, your body changes and so does your food requirements. I was much more concerned about my sagging energy levels than anything else. I need to change this and I must change this immediately. But however much we want to, we always fall back onto the same set of excuses of not having time, work deadlines, commute times, bad traffic, being a homemaker or being a mom (in many cases) and so on and on the list never dies.
The biggest hurdle to fitness is Procrastination and Lethargy. Avoid these and start already!
1. Find Time
I chalked out a schedule amidst multiple produce releases which necessitates longer work hours and non-negotiable deadlines, not to forget the long commute to work, maintaining a home by my own and finding spare time for your friends and family, your near and dear ones! It has been a year so far and I have stuck to my schedule like glue…This is key
Club vFIT is extremely accessible and open at all times for VMware employees, this was very convenient to me to chalk out a schedule after work hours. Having said that, there are days when it is absolutely impossible to follow the clock. I make sure that I still visit the gym whenever I can, for whatever duration possible, just to unwind and relax. It is important to work out and maintain the pattern, even if it is just a 15 min run on the treadmill - I DO NOT skip it!
2. Find a workout place
Club vFIT provides a highly competent fitness center with all the pumps and weasels and a group of very enthusiastic trainers who are always ready to show your the ropes. Without having to travel anywhere else, here was an ideal place right in the campus, available throughout the day where I can spend an hour or two nourishing my body. It is really cost effective as well at a mere 25 dollars a month. It has a basketball court, a squash court, a yoga studio and a dance studio as well as a full blown gym with trainers, spinners, treadmills, cycles, weight stations and all equipment towards a total body workout. It also provides groups fitness and training opportunities throughout the weekdays like bollywood dancing. pilates, zumba, TRX, boot camp and many others. There are also amazing yoga teachers conducting sessions over the week.
3. Work on a diet plan
We become what we eat and what we eat plays a big part in our fitness journey. This is of utmost importance as well as the most fun part of it. Trust me- I am a big foodie!
To start with I narrowed down on all produce, veggies, fruits, meat, fish, diary and grains I like to eat and began researching ways to make healthier meal choices using them. Thereafter I started making different types of cuisines, following meal prep plans (LINK TO THE CONCEPT), educating myself from food blogs, youtube videos, incorporating newer spices. I have never eaten better and being a resident of California helps a ton! Being blessed to live in a land of plenty there is no dearth of things to try and food to experiment with. Also being unrestricted in my food choices helps my flexibility, However I think everybody can chalk out their diet plan with their preferred food choices quite effectively. YOU JUST HAVE TO PUT YOUR MIND TO IT!
There are professional advisors available at vFIT who can help with this aspect.
4. Avoid junk
I know, you know, we all know…..i was at the party, it was games night, I was tired, wanted something comforting and sometimes “OH! Just what the heck! I wanted the big bucket of fried chicken wings”, right!!! There is no harm in doing that once in a while, but we must decide on the frequency.
Having cheat days in your diet plans helps alleviate longing for non-healthy but immensely tasty food items. We all have cravings and it is okay to give into them on cheat days. Learn to trick your mind into the pattern. I always cheat on Saturdays or Sundays when I savour my pasta, lick on my ice creams, munch on my chips and drink grown up juice :-P
5. Set realistic and right expectations
I have lived each of the above 4 pointers in a very sincere manner and was able to reach my ideal wight and body goals within the first three and a half months. (This will vary with your age, gender, body type and diets). The important thing is to not give up when your expectations don’t meet reality. We many a times have unrealistic expectations of achieving a body type and size, more often than not these weight goals and body types are triggered through media images, constant push in the society towards being skinny ( mind you that is NOT healthy) , body shaming and a plethora of merchandise which requires men and women to look a certain way. Finding our own body and beauty is a part of our fitness journey and it should be a dynamic and continous process throughout our lives.
6. Incorporate Variety
Having variations in the workout plan helps a lot and adds towards exercising different muscle groups. I find it a good idea to sometimes go for a run in the park or to go for a swim or a weekend hike or may be even cycle to work (if you can). Remember it is always possible to work out beyond a gym. Personally I have a schedule which incorporates dance, yoga, boot camp and weight training over different days in the week to facilitate a variety in my workout. Ocasionally I will plan for treks in the vicinity or have a dance party at home. Incorporating variety in your fitness regime will strengthen different parts of your body. For instance yoga induces flexibility and strengthens muscles which you can never work out using machines or weights. Variations will also ensure that you do not get bored of the predictable pattern and give up on your fitness journey.
So now that we have all figured out a plan and decided on a path, things should finally be simple right; alas it is NOT! The most crucial mantra in any fitness regime in my opinion and knowledge is - Sticking to the Plan’. I am going 3 years sober on track and hope to continue my journey for long. Today I can positively say that “YES! I am fit and I am healthy.” Today I am my version 2.0 - a version who feels happy and excited and energetic throughout the day. But this is not the destination, fitness is never a destination for me. It is always a journey - it is about leading a refreshing life full of power - both physical and mental. I believe being healthy promotes a better mind, lesser worries, lesser toxins in the body. It makes me optimistic and enthusiastic towards making a better me, it makes me want to help others and make a better saner world. The 2.0 version of me today wishes to be 3.0, someday it will wish for a 4.0 and so on. The motivation is always to be the BEST version you can possible be today and strive to be a BETTER THAN THE BEST tomorrow :-)
Cheers
Sucheta
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