Get up and get active!
It’sbeen years since you last did any regular exercise—be honest. Oh you would, if you had the time, but your schedule is too crazy right now. Anyway, you’ve just got one spare tire, not two. And you’re not that hopeless—you can still make it up a couple of flights without pausing to catch your breath, which isn’t bad for a smoker in his 30s.
 Anxiety: The stress of the job, AND the whiskies after work (see lines). Double Chin: Potentially a triple chin before he turns 40. Weak Heart: It’s not just the kebabs furring up his arteries, it’s the lard accumulating around his muscles. Weak Lungs: You should see him huff and puff when the lifts are broken in his building. Flabby Arms: He used to be a strong lad, but no longer. Those triceps are turning into a flap of skin. Rice Belly: Once a sign of wealth and happiness, now a sign of sloth and kathi rolls. Dodgy Liver: Say no more (Nice belt, though) No Wedding Ring: Women don’t like a chubby guy, no matter what they say Lower Back Pain: It’s what happens when you have a rice belly. Brittle Knees: They’ll crack at some point unless he does something about it. Toes: He can’t touch them anymore, not even close. |
You know it applies to you. You’ve heard that voice in your head, the one that pipes up when you hit 30 and never really subsides. The voice that reminds you that you’re not 20 anymore—you can’t drink that many pegs without suffering the next day, you can’t sprint up the stairs like you used to, you can’t even move the sofa without pulling something.
You’re ageing and you know it. It starts with the aches and pains, the slow recovery times, then your memory starts to let you down and you’re not as awake in the morning as you once were. It all boils down to one question— what kind of man do you want to be? The slow, heavy, wheezing kind with the creaky joints and the falling sperm count? Or the sharper, fitter, kind who’s more agile and trim? Is this even a question at this point? More and more Indian men are choosing to get healthy for the first time in their lives—the fitness boom is well underway in this country. Don’t get left behind.
And don’t worry—no one’s expecting you to suddenly transform into a gym freak. This isn’t about Men’s Health abs or getting the girl (even though health clubs are actually great places to meet girls). And it’s not about giving up red meat and alcohol and all the things you enjoy about life. Fitness isn’t an all or nothing proposition.
This is about health, longevity and quality of life. Every man wants to be virile and strong and alert. It’s in our genetic code. You don’t want to lose that competitive edge. And you don’t want to be that guy who can’t touch his toes or swing a punch or hit a ball anymore. So, get up off the sofa—it’s time to make a change!
“It’s a Happy Addiction”
Istarted working out nearly 20 years ago. My friends would hit the gym and they coaxed me into following them. It’s an addiction I haven’t been able to give up since and I am proud of it. My tryst with the gym started when I created a new line of clothes for Hyatt. They offered me a barter deal (a membership of their gym) and today I practically live in that gym. I am not obsessed, however. I do not work out when I am travelling and carry no training gear. However, I walk a lot when on tours, so it makes up for the lack of weight training.
Normally, I work out for an hour, five days a week. My routine includes cardio, weights and pilates. In summer, I sometimes don’t do the treadmill so much and swim instead.
Honestly, I feel if I hadn’t been working out, I would have ended up in a mental asylum by now, such is the pressure at work. Being fit physically, keeps me mentally fit and that’s most important. Working out should be a like a second skin for all. The first year might be a bit tough but then it becomes a habit. Mark my words. It is like brushing your teeth every morning.
The excuses
“I work long hours.” Response: Please.You natter with your pals.You’re on facebook. If you didn’t forward that silly joke to all your colleagues and friends, you’d save time. Why not spend that time stretching? “The travelling is strenuous and I’m too tired for a workout.” Response: If you take the train or the metro, then consider it a warm up or a wind-down to your work out. The only reason your travel is wearing you out is because you’re unfit. “This is muscle, not fat.” Response: Muscle doesn’t jiggle, fat does.And it’s making you lethargic. Consider fitness a goal, like a career appraisal. Let nothing keep you away from it. “I’ve never gone to the gym and I’m fine!” Response: No, you’re not.The decay has begun.The wear and tear of age and your lifestyle.You have a fraction of the energy you once had. So, get up off the couch.You can laze around when you’re old. “Where’s the time?” Response: You’ll make time for television or another drink at the pub. So, make the time for your own body.Turn six coffee breaks a day into three. Less caffeine and more exercise! |
“My Blood Pressure Is Like a 25-year-old’s”
I’m in the life insurance business and I deal with loss on a daily basis. The life that I live should be healthier than before. I have been exercising for the last two years, and I’ve lost 54 kg over these two years. My two-hour regimen every morning includes an hour of aerobics and 30 laps in the pool. For variety, I do about 4 km on the treadmill or an hour of yoga with instructor Jagdeesh or his wife Jill. I was a borderline diabetic. My diabetes is gone. My blood pressure is like that of a 25-year-old. I have so much more energy and stamina to do things.
“I Feel Younger”
Istarted working out a few years ago, when I realised I was not getting any younger and my body needed a stricter routine. At present, I work out four times a week. I do a full cardio workout three or four days in a week. This includes an average of 25 km on the treadmill each week and muscle training. I have a personal trainer who comes home to help me through the workout in my home gym. As a result of my regime, I have lost my flab totally, lost a few unwanted kilos and more importantly, added some muscles where it matters.
Today, I feel much younger, livelier and energetic. If I don’t work out one day, I don’t even feel like going to work. My advice to all those who want to workout and look fitter but can’t bring themselves to do so, is to just get started. It’s a battle with your own mind. Set yourself a week-by-week target and achieve it. If I can spare an hour each day despite so much work, everyone can. Anyone can eke out an hour four times a week. Start by walking, go on to running and gradually get to the weights if you want to.
