Heart wins over head...even Science says that!

 A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry says that doing something purposeful like volunteering or doing things you enjoy leads to better cognitive function. Thus, exercising your brain by learning a new skill like art, language, cooking, music, gardening etc can not only make us happier people and enrich life, but also protect our cognitive function as well.
Its never too late. 

Change your exercise routine Part 1

 Part 1(lower body):
In continuation to my post on creating unstable environment during exercise on the Facebook Page, here I have explained specific exercises using a balance pad to change the routine and get your body off its exercise plateau. Done correctly, it can challenge your stabilizer muscles and helping you build a strong core and NOT get bored since you will need all your focus...you will see

All the images are reference images. Please do the exercises under the guidance of  an instructor. This series attempts to open your eyes to a fun-way of taking your fitness to the next level. Please note these exercises are for people who already do these movements on a stable surface.

 Squat

Lunge

Shoulder bridge

Old habits die hard. Practice new ones till they become old.

You may begin exercise because the friends do it, celebs tweet about it, tabloids hype it, Facebook 'likes' it, twitter 'trends' it, your clothes reflect it, the stars swear by it...but you will end up continuing it only because your body asks for it.

So start the exercise habit. Get moving. Go from potential to kinetic. Grow the habit. Nurture it...till it becomes a lifestyle... a kinetic way of life. And watch it nurture you, make you fit from within, energize you and thus transform and energize your lifestyle.  

Recipe for Health

Here is one of my 'experiments' with salads which can make a great side with your meal, a healthy evening snack, tackle sweet cravings and most of all, satiate your taste buds

Grate 2 Carrots
Dice half an apple or 1 small apple into small pieces
Almond flakes or unsalted peanuts (about 5 to 6)
Pineapple (diced and it is optional or you can add instead of the apple)
Squeeze few drops of lemon and
Sprinkle pepper to taste

ENJOY !

If You Can Sculpt a Muscle - How About Your Brain?

Here is an interesting article I came across to help you get out of a 'brain-slump'. Just like you  may hit a plateau while exercising, your brain may hit a slump after a continuous period of learning / non-learning or doing same things over and over again. So go ahead, train the brain. :)

If You Can Sculpt a Muscle - How About Your Brain?

Kinetic Living can be contagious

Kinetic Living is around 4 months old helping people get fit from within and promoting fitness and awareness as a holistic approach to build flexibility, agility, stamina and overall body and core strength. So far more than 16 clients have been trained in personal one-on-one sessions and close to 75 in group sessions (out of which 20 have been trained for more than a month). Kinetic Living is excited about the way people are responding with their enthusiasm for health

Check out the Facebook Page to know what people are saying and to keep up with the latest at Kinetic Living

Shake off the Monday blues

I have experimented a lot with quick-whip snacks while i was living alone in Kerala for 2 and half years. Being in a physically demanding profession and having less patience to cook BUT hell-bent on eating healthy, I came up with couple of recipes to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Banana Fun-ana shake

Portions are important. But eating healthy is more important. So if fretting over 100 ml / 150 ml is testing your patience, go by relative judgment in the beginning.

• Cut 2 small bananas or one big banana in slices
• Take the cup you want to drink the milkshake in and fill it only 1/3rd with milk. Add 1/3rd portion water.
• Pour both into the mixer
• Add 4 to 5 peanuts or almond shaving
• Coffee powder to taste

Spin all the ingredients in the mixer and voila!

Enjoy the NATURAL  sweetness of milk and bananas set off by the nutty taste of peanuts or almonds with a hint of caffeine to kick start your day!

A cuppa of health, without sugar

Sugar is not my enemy. I have a sweet tooth, (yes, I have a sweet tooth! and I do eat sweets) and I do occasionally indulge without guilt. However, in the last 3 weeks, I discovered that even a slight alteration could be extremely effective for my body. I am not big on the Indian chai but I do like my two cups of tea in the morning and evening. All I did was stop taking sugar in my cuppa of chai. Inspired from Pooja Makhija's new book, 'Eat. Delete', I decided to try this change and it dropped one kg off my frame in a matter of a week. (along with 2 to 3 high intensity coupled with 2 Pilates workouts during that period). Let's say you don't workout as much. That time period could extend to 2 to 2 and 1/2 half weeks. That is a good change too.

Cutting artificial sugar DOES make a BIG difference, especially when you compliment it with exercise. 

Sure, chai may taste different for the first few times. Chances are you are already dipping a confectionery in it which already contains extra sugar. You can retain the 2 biscuits and lose the sugar. Try it. Next time you order chai, order it without sugar and in all likelihood, you may end up with a cuppa of health.

The uncomfortable case of the comfort zone ?

An interesting quote that I came upon on the internet turns out to be quite the opposite take on the popular Kanye West song, 'Stronger', but means well too. The quote is by Boulder Colorado running club :  "Whatever does not make me stronger, kills me." Question is, are you uncomfortable enough in your comfort zone to do something about it?

'Fit' or don't 'fit' in'? you are welcome

The first group sessions of Kinetix begin officially this Monday, 16th July at Karmarkar Health Spa, Goregaon East, Near Oberoi Mall. Monthly,  bi-monthly and quarterly memberships available. Mon, Wed, Fri : 630 to 730 PM. Get ready to get fit from within...you won't need to worry about whether you fit into your old jeans or not. Share the link and spread the Kinetic way of life...

Calisthenics Calling

Over the last year, I have used a lot Calisthenic exercises to train myself and mixed it up with various other exercises such as climbing ropes, running, Yoga and Pilates. But often people ask me what is Calisthenics? Here is a website to give you an idea.. It also features more information on the same and about other disciplines. Browse on...it is addictive, I must say...just like exercise :P 

Are you 'game' to handle this?

"Be Strong, my young friend that is my advice to you. You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of the Gita. You will understand the Gita better with your biceps, your muscles, a little stronger. You will understand the mighty genius and the mighty strength of Krishna better with a little of strong blood in you" ~~~~Swami Vivekananda.  

Where is your Balance ?

Does any balanced diet constitute only of carbohydrates or only proteins or only fats? Even if we have all three, our bodies and we ourselves can't function efficiently without vitamins and minerals. (Deficiency of variants of Vit B can even lead to dullness and moody blues!)

Then WHY DO WE STARVE OUR BODIES OF A BALANCED WORKOUT?? Fitness is not all about building muscle or running on a conveyor belt! (no offence :)) It is also about flexibility, agility, core strength and one important factor- body awareness. FUN and FORM are like spices, they add to the taste and satiety value of the workout. Start now. See how 

Forbidden: to be or not to be?

When most of everything that is 'forbidden' becomes even more 'tempting', why is THE 'forbidden fruit' not so 'tempting'??

KISS-Keep It Simple, Stupid

My journey in fitness started when I got hooked to playing basketball 13 years ago when I was in the 8th grade. I have been a fanatic about keeping fit since more than 10 years now and I must have read a thousand articles, online or in print about various diets:

How does one type of food affect your metabolism?

What is the best thing to eat for dinner?

Which foods are 'abs-friendly' ? (ahem-ahem) 

Why are good fats necessary to become thin? 

and the list is endless...

But one thing I have realized recently (better late than never) is you can KISS lethargic metabolism and sluggishness good bye by having food that is real fuel for the body.
It just needs easy and simple changes : Keep It Simple, Stupid. 

Just eat everything NATURAL. Weed out the processed food from your plate and half the battle is won. The lesser the processed food, the lesser the hidden sugar and sodium, the BETTER YOU WILL FEEL and the slimmer you will look. I came across this self-explanatory slide show of choosing natural foods over their processed versions