Design Your Fitness Program

Consistency is among the most underappreciated aspects of fitness. We frequently place a lot of emphasis on the most efficient kind of exercise or what's popular right now, but consistency-building is typically given less attention. The best fitness programme in the world won't help you if you don't stick to it. Because of this, adherence is regarded as the most important component of any workout programme. A number of aspects, including nutrition, the correct activity programming, and motivation, go into making progress; if any one of these factors fails, it will have a domino effect that will cause you to fail or stagnate. To maintain the proper frame of mind and sufficient drive, one must adhere to and be consistent with their actions. With fitness goals, consistency helps to motivate people and fosters a sense of accomplishment. Consistency maintenance becomes crucial because of this. This implies that not every session will be fantastic, but what counts is that you showed up, made an effort to move toward your objective, and maintained the momentum. Everybody experiences days when exercising or working out is completely out of the question, and it's these days that can make or break the momentum. We must make sure that these days are worthwhile. This does not imply that you should work out intensely. Simply put, this means that at the conclusion of days like this, we need to know that we exerted every effort to engage in activities and that we made progress toward our goal. In order to keep up with our routine on days when we lack motivation, we must engage in enjoyable or simple activities. Here, there are a few straightforward things that can be done. Some of the easiest things to keep up momentum when you are having a rough day are as follows: Step Count This is a seamless way to ensure that activity gets done without dedicating a separate time to work out. On busy days or days of poor motivation having a step target of something like 10k steps helps you get some activity done without hitting the gym. This can be spread across the day and can be done at your own pace Walk/Jog You do not need an intense workout all the time to reach your goals. Some days backing off and going on a nice long walk can serve as an activity to make sure that you keep up your consistency while also ensuring you clear your mind from a tough day's work. It is very important to not have a black-or-white mindset with exercise and understand that not all days have to be intense. Home Workout Not all days have to be intense gym workouts with plenty of machines and weights. Home workouts are a simple and effective way to get done with the activity of the day while still getting in an effective session. The following is a quick and simple way to do a super simple home workout Warm-up Upper body warm-up (e.g. arm swings or Shoulder rotations) - 10 reps Lower body warm-up (e.g. leg swings or High knees) - 10 reps Primary Workout circuit (Repeat them one after another for 5 rounds) Exercise 1 - Core (Eg, Crunches or Tall plank sh taps) - 15 reps Lower-body exercise 1 (Eg, Bodyweight Squats or lunges) - 15 reps Upper body exercise 1 (Eg Wall push-ups or push-ups) - 10 reps High-intensity exercise 1 (Eg Inchworms or burpees) - 10 reps Cool down Shoulder stretch - 30 seconds/side Hamstring stretch - 30 seconds/side The above is just an example and please be sure to consult your doctor before starting any physical activity or exercise routine. Casual Sports These days there are so many apps that can help us to quickly be a part of nearby sports and game activities like football, cricket, badminton, tennis, etc. This is a great way to keep it interesting while getting a good high-intensity session in. The great part is that you'll be able to socialize and gain some new friends too in the process. These are a few strategies you can use to maintain your momentum when things get challenging or when you're lacking motivation. Always keep in mind that any improvement is better than none at all. Read More► The importance of a workout regime to check diabetes

If you live in Delhi, you are probably aware of the rising pollution levels in the city. Exposure to high levels of air pollutants for an extended period or repeatedly may cause serious harm to your skin. As Delhi continues to get engulfed in smog with the air quality approaching a hazardous level, the harmful pollutants in the air may hamper your skin if appropriate care is not taken. To rescue your skin from harsh pollutants, a team of sensitive skin experts from Cetaphil shares a few tips to ensure our skin doesn't lose its nourishment. Air Purifier Invest in a good air purifier for yourself. Since most allergies stem from dust, a good quality air purifier is ideal to help clean the home environment and remove dust and other harmful particles. Practice Good Hygiene Always wash your hands thoroughly after every task and before touching your skin. Change your clothes at least twice a day and ensure that you take a bath regularly to remove all the pollutants from your skin. Keep The Skin Nourished Your skin may suffer because of increased pollution and seasonal changes, making it more sensitive and prone to irritation and allergies. People with sensitive skin may have a thinner or weakened skin moisture barrier, which allows irritants to penetrate and hydration to escape. Make sure your skin is well-nourished and moisturized to improve the resilience of sensitive skin. While stepping outdoors, always carry a moisturizer like Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream which can soothe irritated skin and provide intense moisture. Limit Outdoor Time Tracking air quality ensures that you can better manage your outdoor time. Go for a walk in the morning when the air is fresh and plan your day and tasks to avoid making multiple trips outside. In addition, don't forget to apply sunscreen as the harsh rays of the sun paired with the hazardous air quality can make your skin more irritated. This could also lead to stinging and itching. Look for Hypoallergenic Products It is essential to use hypoallergenic products especially if you have sensitive skin in this harsh climate. Using strong products on the skin when it is already irritated may cause more harm than you can imagine. Look for ingredients like Niacinamide, which helps in tackling inflammation and helps in the oil regulation in your skin. Read More► Chronic back pain?

Among the many benefits of maintaining heart health include the ability to live a long life, relieve symptoms of depression, and reduce the chance of dementia. According to a proverb, "With a healthy heart, the beat carries on." The path to a healthy heart is broken down by Luke Coutinho, Holistic Nutrition and Lifestyle - Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine, Founder of You Care. Tips to Keep Your Heart Healthy Emotional Health: Today emotional health is a no.1 priority for better heart health. Negative emotions and thoughts stimulate the flight and fight response which results in the production of cortisol. Elevated levels of cortisol are known to also elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and inflammation, all of which can harm heart health. Invest more time in healing yourself emotionally through yoga, pranayama, meditation, visualization, laughter, positive affirmations, etc. Vitamin Breathing: One deep inhale and exhale is all it takes to calm your mind and heart. Deep breathing is known to shift our body from a state of fight and flight to a state of rest and digestion almost instantly. This makes a regular practice of deep breathing an extremely heart-healthy habit. Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant-Rich Foods: The main reasons behind heart attacks are not cholesterol but inflammation and oxidative damage in the heart, blood vessels, endothelial lining, arteries, etc. Inflammation and oxidative damage are caused by the free radicals from the food that we eat, the air that we breathe, and several lifestyle choices that we make. Foods like turmeric, ginger, garlic, and black pepper - are potent foods to curb inflammation. Additionally, eat an array of differently colored fruits and berries when they are in season. Prioritize Sleep: Poor sleep or lack of sleep can be destructive to our heart health. This is because when we sleep, the heart gets a break and works lesser. The heart is a muscle and it requires recovery. Lack of sleep also increases insulin resistance, blood pressure, and inflammation. Stay Active: Sitting excessively is like smoking. Make sure you are physically active throughout the day. The risks of heart attacks are more in people who live inactive lifestyles. Walking, yoga, Zumba, and trekking are extremely beneficial exercises for the heart. Cut Out Smoking: Both active and passive smoking is toxic to the heart. Smoking contributes to both oxidative damage and inflammation in the body. The chemicals emitted from cigarette cause plaque build-up in the arteries. It also depletes several vitamins and minerals and hardens the arteries. Get more raw food in your diet for its fiber and antioxidant intake. 10 foods that will help your heart stay young and healthy Good Quality Oils: like coconut oil, pure A2 Gir cow ghee, and mustard oil help boost good cholesterol and fight inflammation. Omega 3-Rich Foods: Omega 3 fatty acid is an important and extremely healthy fatty acid for the heart. It helps in curbing inflammation, heals arterial walls, and boosts HDL while lowering LDL. E.g.: fatty fish, flax seeds, walnuts, and chia seeds to name a few. Beetroot: for its ability to act as a vasodilator and high antioxidant content. Garlic: for its inflammatory and bad cholesterol-lowering properties. It also acts as a natural blood thinner. Organic Tea (black, white, oolong, matcha): for its high antioxidant content, especially EGCG. Also, research now finds that it holds potent cholesterol-lowering properties and can prevent plaque build-up in the arteries. Fruits Like Grapes, Pomegranate, and Berries: for their high antioxidant content. Vitamin E-Rich Foods: for their ability to curb inflammation, fight free radicals, cell repair, and heal arteries. It's a must-have for people who are exposed to cigarette and industrial pollution. E.g.: sunflower seeds, unsalted peanuts, avocados, almonds, and sesame. Magnesium-Rich Foods: for their ability to boost cardiac muscle health, and blood pressure. E.g.: all nuts and seeds, green leafy vegetables, cacao. Potassium-Rich Foods: plays a role in every heartbeat. It manages blood pressure, and cardiac muscle contractions and keeps the heart rhythm steady. E.g.: banana, avocados, pumpkin. Vitamin K-Rich Foods: for high antioxidant properties and preventing calcification of arteries. E.g.: green leafy vegetables, broccoli, prunes, avocado. Foods to Avoid Refined Sugar and Refined Carbohydrate Intake: Both of them can contribute to inflammation, spike blood sugar levels and thus increase the risk of a heart attack. Also, excess of both could lead to elevated triglyceride levels. On the other hand, complex carbs like dosas, idlis, rotis, hand-pounded rice, etc are all healthy carbs and can be included in your diet for good health and preventing the risk of a heart attack. People who give up on such complex carbs end up being deficient in Vitamin K2 - which can result in the calcification of arteries. Refined Salt: Refined salt and MSG can create inflammation in the body, elevate blood pressure and cause water retention thereby burdening the kidneys. One can opt for Himalayan pink or rock salt after they keep their health professional in the loop. Refined Oils: Refined vegetable oils are rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Omega 6 is harmful to health as it leads to inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Processed and Packaged Foods: Processed and packaged foods too are causative to increased rates of heart attacks and stroke. This is again because this packaged and processed food is prepared with low-grade refined oil which increases oxidative damage and inflammation in the body. Excessive Tea and Coffee, Alcohol: Overconsumption of tea, and coffee can aggravate or cause acidity and inflammation, more so if the beverage contains sugar, cream, and other additives. Alcohol too can raise bad cholesterol, cause inflammation and elevate blood pressure. Read More► Walnuts For A Healthy Heart

In 2016, according to the WHO, India reported 63 per cent of total deaths due to non-communicable diseases, and 27 per cent were attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Of those, heart attack and stroke are two of the most common causes of death in our country. Now those are pretty scary numbers, and they are only growing by the year. Blame it on our family's medical history or the fast-paced lifestyle that's leading to complaints of high cholesterol, but you and I, too, are at the risk of developing heart disease. Fortunately, several factors help us lower our risk of CVD and take the high road to a healthy heart. In anticipation of World Heart Day, let's deep dive into how you can lower the risks with Ryan Fernando, Celebrity Nutritionist and Founder of QUA Nutrition -- Signature Nutrition Clinic Q. How do walnuts help your heart health? Ans. According to research, an important move is to consume a handful of California walnuts as part of a healthy, nutritious diet and couple it with physical activity. This may help lower your risk of heart disease and hence, deserves a spot on your plate. The polyunsaturated fats, aka good fats, and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) in these wonder nuts may improve cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure, which are two major contributors to heart disease risk. 1,2. In addition, these nutrient powerhouses are known to help reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel function. 3. A recent scientific review published in Advances of Nutrition also suggests that food sources high in plant-based omega-3 ALA, such as walnuts, should be part of a heart-healthy eating pattern. 4. Not convinced yet? The American Heart Association (AHA) has found that including four or more servings of nuts, including walnuts every week and other foods, may help lower one's risk of heart disease. And that's not it, AHA has also certified walnuts as a heart-healthy food through its 'Heart Check Mark' programme. Q. What is the ideal portion of walnuts one should consume? Ans. A handful of walnuts, which is nearly 28 g, is advisable for daily consumption. This amount contains 2.5g of essential plant-based omega-3, 4g protein, and 2g fibre, all essential for overall wellness. Q. What is the best time of the day to eat walnuts? Ans. While walnuts can be eaten throughout the year, at any time of the day, I believe the best time to eat them is in the evenings. These contain PICO melatonin, which goes into your brain and increases serotonin levels, eventually promoting sleep. Q. Five simple ways to include walnuts in your daily diet Ans. Make snack time healthy with a handful of plain California walnuts, or you can amp up the flavour by sprinkling your favourite spice mix over them Mix coarsely grounded walnuts with a portion of hung curd and turn it into a delicious creamy dip You can also grind walnuts and add them to your curries, which are a good source of plant-based omega-3 Poha, upma, or kachumbar, walnuts add a perfect crunch for any time snacks Walnuts are the perfect accompaniment for a low-calorie diet, and another great idea to consume is by blending them into your morning smoothie We all deserve to choose what's best for us. And for making such decisions, you need the right information. Now that you've read about the health benefits of walnuts, it's time to go nuts about these nuts! (N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe )  Read More► Fasting With Diabetes?