We'd asked you, dear readers to share your fitness stories and learnings with us.
Rediff reader Larry Rub, 40 from Dubai tells us how he adopted simple habits, changed his lifestyle and became healthier.
- EARLIER IN THIS SERIES: The CFO who runs 20 km a day
I am a corporate trainer who helps individuals gain breakthrough through behavioural shifts in their lives and by getting rid of mindset barriers.
In December 2014, I realised that I had to apply some of those skills myself and 'walk the talk' a bit.
I weighed 90 kg which didn't seem so much of a problem to handle as I always believed I was fit.
I questioned this belief when I faced difficulties in completing a simple jog longer than five minutes.
Having grown up playing outdoors as a kid, I felt the need to regain my lost energy and sense of belief in my physical fitness.
So what did I do?
Quantity vs Quality of food
- White rice was replaced with brown rice.
- Sugar with replaced with honey/jaggery
- Oil was reduced to half a teaspoon a meal
- Large meals were replaced with smaller ones
- Dinner was replaced with a snack like grilled chicken that was eaten by 7 pm
Physical fitness
I could not afford going to a gym due to my work schedule, so I started to do three basic exercises at home -- push ups, pull ups and squats (3 circuits of 25 reps each, that gradually increased)'
I precisely followed a 15-minute schedule, twice a day -- morning, as I woke up and evening, before I had my snack.
The most important approach for me was emotional fitness.
I spent more time doing things that I did as a child -- walking, running up and down stairs.
I found ways to make the most of the free resources I had -- the air I breathe, the sunshine outdoors.
I spent time imitating cheerful people, especially children, who usually are never short on energy and creativity, something that adults tend to leave behind in life.
With all these changes, I was able to bring down my weight to 72 kg in six months and I have been able to maintain my weight till date.
My message to all readers is: Do things that you can sustain when it comes to diet and exercise and you'll always see progress.
I wish you all a stress free and enjoyable journey.
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