Life is a celebration! We realise this just when the year is coming to an end when the season of celebration begins. Starting with Diwali, then Christmas and New Year, life is one long party! The festive season brings with it loads of shopping, feasting and abandon. Anything to do with discipline is on hold, the thought of exercise or careful eating is far from our mind. Fair enough!
The end of Christmas sees the birth of the new year and Pongal get-togethers! More joy, more celebration; even the mere mention of discipline and you will be immediately looked down upon and labelled a party pooper. It is still all right if things get more streamlined from there as long as one gets back on track.
Steps to follow
So how does one recover from this long break and get back to a healthy routine? Let's see the different ways and explore new possibilities of getting back on track. It does not take a genius to realise the first thing to do is to make a resolve before anything else...
Resolution: A resolution to be healthier than the previous year, to be more productive, fitter and happier than the year gone by.
Visualisation: This is the next thing. I am sure all of us are aware of the power of visualisation. For those who do not know, it is the most powerful tool in the desire to achieve. Without creating any limitation in your mind just focus on painting an image of yourself the way you would like to be by next Diwali! Some of us dream to be smarter, smaller or fitter. Then fix this exciting image in the mind's eye and move on because there is work to be done!
Motivation: If you are going to be looking for motivation from another source rather than your own self then your resolution will not stand the test of time. Constantly looking around for inspiration or motivation is passé. It's all momentary and will not be long lasting. Being responsible for your wellbeing and your good health is the only way to be. Hope you agree.
Planning: One can only travel after planning a destination, right? Chalk out a health plan keeping your destination for good health in mind. It is not very smart to embark on a fitness regime not knowing where you need to go. Yes, a road map for action is needed here!
Mapping: Goal setting is the only way to stay focussed. Want to know why? Only when you set goals for a healthier life will you start tracking your progress right. Keeping sight of your short-term and long-term goals keeps you motivated. It is all interlinked!
Challenge yourself: This helps you progress in all endeavours. This holds good for exercise patterns too. Pushing our bodies constantly, challenging different muscle groups, experiencing small victories will keep you interested and motivated. Variations in exercise or breaking a set pattern will actually end up shocking your bodies pleasantly and giving you a new high. Do this on a regular basis and the results will speak for themselves!
Everyone goes through ups and downs in keeping to the pattern. The first few weeks are the most difficult and need the maximum strength to keep your resolution. I cannot think of any other way except to kick yourself out of a warm comfortable bed and finish your workout in the early part of the day, grumpy or otherwise, before the devil of laziness gets thebetter of you. Before you realise it, the months have gone by and you are all set to party again. Hopefully the image in your mirror is grinning happily at you!
Solutions: No motivation to exercise
Set reasonable goals; focus on benefits of exercise.
Reward yourself. Each time you reach a goal, reward yourself with a massage, new shoes or t-shirt
Family and peer group support is also important
Hire a personal trainer or yoga instructor
Once you start exercising, give your body time to react. It could take up to 12 weeks to six months before you start seeing major changes
Solutions: From feasting to regular diet
Stay well hydrated.
Drink plenty of fluids
Avoid saturated fat
Make green leafy vegetables an essential part of your diet.
Fruit intake should be maximum during the day
Minimise spices; opt for bland stuff like dal or curd rice.
Watch your calories!
The author is the Director of O2 Health Studio.
