JOIN USThe secret to being jaldi fit is to be jaldi disciplined," says fitness expert Namita Jain, who has helped people access their fitness goals through several of her books and workshops on lifestyle management.
Having overcome weight issues herself, Namita has guided people on a pathway to a disciplined and healthy life. Known for her no nonsense approach to fitness, Namita believes that there are no shortcuts to staying fit and maintaining your weight. According to her, mentally preparing oneself to follow a strict regimen is one of the first steps to fitness.
Namita has authored books including How to Lose the Last Five Kilos, Fit Pregnancy, Four Week Countdown Diet and Sexy @ Sixty to name a few. In a conversation, Namita speaks about her latest book Low Fat, Low Guilt: Recipes and Lifestyle, diet fads and having realistic fitness goals. Here are excerpts from the conversation:
Tell us a little about your daily diet and fitness regimen.
I walk for about 45 minutes and practice yoga and pranayama regularly. Yoga invigorates the body and mind. I look forward to my workouts. I prefer simple home-cooked meals. Nothing can beat a thali comprising dal, rice, roti, seasonal vegetables, salad and curds.
What was the motivation behind writing 'Low Fat, Low Guilt'?
Low Fat Low Guilt is a book that provides tasty and healthy recipes. Many dieters find health food tasteless. The book features a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian recipes, which have been given healthy twists, and the calorific elements are kept to a minimum. This book was written with the idea of showing you how to enjoy your food without guilt, in a sensible and practical way.
You are an inspiration for those aspiring to lose weight. Can you tell us about your personal battle with weight?
Like every other overweight person, I had my demons to fight. Friends in hip-hugging jeans sashayed their way through five years of college, while I trudged along the corridors knowing I needed to win the battle of the bulge. My journey towards weight loss has been one of discovery and experimentation. I was looking for alternative, non-invasive methods to achieve weight loss. The process did not evolve overnight. It has taken me several years to fully understand how the body responds to diet and exercise. I could not starve. What worked for me was eating well, but cutting out fatty foods and getting my daily supply of cereals, fruits and vegetables within a balanced diet plan.
What are the common mistakes that people make while following a particular diet fad?
All of us kick off our diet plans with enthusiasm. However, most diets promise more than what they can deliver. Most fad diets are not easy to sustain. This leads to disillusionment and finally, abandonment of the plan. Your diet experience then turns into a vicious cycle of starving, overeating, feeling guilty, and eating some more. You end up gaining all the weight you had lost. What's worse, as your weight goes up, your self-esteem takes a nose dive.
What are some of the diet fads that one needs to avoid?
Diets that cut out food groups or focus on just one type of food should be avoided. I have always preferred a holistic, hands-on approach to good health. For dieters specifically, this means balanced nutrition and regular eating habits that ensure steady weight loss, as opposed to drastic calorie-cutting or erratic eating patterns, which can lead to health problems.
What are the things that one needs to keep in mind while taking up a weight-loss programme?
It is important to address your lifestyle and environment when deciding on your diet chart. You need to work around the constraints of daily life, and develop a plan that works for you and one that you can sustain. No two people respond to a particular diet in the same manner. It can never be a one-size-fits-all solution.
Can you share some easy-to-follow fitness and diet tips for busy working professionals?
* Make exercise a commitment. An early morning walk or workout will keep you energetic. If you prefer to workout at the end of your day, carry your gym clothes to office and then head directly for your exercise session.
* Tighten and relax all your muscles while sitting. This improves circulation and energises the body.
* Take the stairs and fight the urge to take the elevator. With practice, you will be able to climb without getting out of breath.
* Get up and walk around the room after every one hour of sitting. Remember to do this when you are watching television or at work to avoid stiffness and improve blood circulation.
* Take deep breaths when you are stressed. Slow, deep breathing results in the more efficient working of the heart and lungs.
* Remember to keep your abs tucked in at all times. This will help strengthen the muscles and maintain better posture.
What are some of the food myths that you would like to bust?
* Myth: Food is a comforter. It helps deal with stress.
Fact: Identify events and emotions that trigger the need to reach for food for comfort. Once you recognise these, find other ways to deal with stress. Write a list of distracting activities that work for you like, meeting a friend, reading a book or watching your favourite film.
* Myth: Eating at restaurants can lead to weight gain.
Fact: When you eat out, make special requests to get what you want. For example, ask for baked potatoes instead of French fries, honey and lemon dressing instead of mayonnaise, roti instead of butter naan. Learn to strategise and opt for lighter foods so that your outings are enjoyable and do not add extra calories.
* Myth: Skipping meals compensates for the previous day's overindulgence.
Fact: You must eat regularly. Skipping meals just doesn't work. When the body is deprived of regular nourishment, it slows down the metabolism. Cut back… but don't cut out!
What is your advice to young Indians who are becoming increasingly conscious about their bodies?
It's never too late to make simple yet effective lifestyle changes, alter food habits, and most importantly, your way of thinking. Extreme dieting and exercise is not recommended. A sensible and balanced plan works best. Armed with willpower, you will soon be back on the road to good health.