This new year, more than the resolution-breaking years that have passed, life is about getting back to basics of health and wellness. With so many apps and fitness regimes trending, 2019 will be about healthy living and connecting back to what’s good for the mind, body and soul. And not just that one month fad regime many people indulge in.
The big difference this coming year is that it is not enough to ‘just’ exercise, or get on a low fat or low carb diet. People are becoming conscious about the finer aspects, and focusing on how to achieve their goals with a complete lifestyle change. They don’t want to ‘just’ diet, or ‘just’ burn calories, but explore and concentrate on spending their energy on tried and tested ways of healthy living. City nutritionists, fitness experts and individuals who are already on the healthy route share predictions and trends for 2019. While many chefs are already seeing a rise in regional and seasonal produce, and plant-based diets with lesser meat, the focus is also on core health, and not just resolutions that are bound to break. The new year, is about sticking to a health plan that works throughout the year. And fitness that is a part of life.
Change for the better: Cast-a-Weigh’s Cletus Sequeira and Dr. Rashmi D’Souza, fitness and lifestyle coaches and nutrition consultants have helped hundreds get back to a healthy lifestyle. “Most people mistake fitness to be about losing weight to reach benchmarks social media portrays as ideal. Peer pressure and wanting to fall in line with what’s trending is what makes people chase unsustainable and unrealistic goals. I, as a coach, have helped so many people chase their so-called goals and then seen them go downhill once they’re off the routine. We coach them on eating healthy, being active and making a lifestyle shift to ensure that they don’t lose focus once they reach their goals. Slowly, people have come to realise that crash diets or short term programmes are not sustainable. The trend is slowly shifting towards body acceptance and positivity, working on strengths and interest areas, while trying to understand limits and overcoming them. As coaches, we have a responsibility to focus more on sustainable lifestyle changes through constant coaching and counselling, than on methods and trends. I’m confident that the focus going forward will surely change, and more and more people will realise that fitness is more of a journey than a one time goal,” explains Cletus Sequeira. They also have a group on Facebook called mission-slim-possible which highlights lifestyle changes.
Party the healthy way: Chief nutritionist Ryan Fernando is all about bringing fitness into activities that are intrinsic to life. To demonstrate this, Ryan was busy with a party at home that celebrated good health, which seems the way forward in 2019. “I am doing a dance party at home with detox mocktails and high protein snacks. Loads of alfalfa sprouts, salads, olives and pure alkaline water. My friends are also doing a midnight run topped up with a late night dinner at their home for the New Year’s eve,” he adds.
Moderation is key, and so is combining activities: City-based nutritionist and dietitian Dr Meghana Mevawala feels that if a regime is followed in moderation, and it works, that is half the battle won. “The trend for the new year is youngsters looking for healthier options rather than partying. Moderation is the key to whatever you are doing. Partying once a week is fine, and drinking two pegs is also fine. Over indulgence is bad. People can take up a hobby, joins groups like cyclathons, go for treks and meditation. Any form of exercise is good and combining it with cycling or trekking works well. For New Year’s Eve, try a trekking-camping trip with friends rather than just sitting at home!”
Core building: For writer and novelist, Sreemoyee Piu Kundu, the focus has always been about prioritising health. “I have been working out religiously for the past year. Having endometriosis and PCOD makes me more aware and committed to good health, so I work out six days a week, and have given up red meat, seafood, carbonated drinks and coffee. I also concentrate on core and strength training.” Actress/model Rajshri Ponnappa and Sharmiela Mandre are starting the new year on a healthy and positive note by indulging in fitness and outdoor treks.
Mindfulness: Being healthy is about appreciating what you have, gratitude and love towards others, a respect towards nature and mindfulness, according to cyclist and coffee planter Mihir Rebello, “Choosing something as simple as being mindful of the littlest things in my life has made me a better person. A healthier person. I think 2019 is the year of mind expansion. Knowing the importance of my thoughts and how they affect my life positively. Obsessing about my thoughts has proven to be counterproductive and even destructive. My mantra for the new year is think healthy and the rest will follow,” Mihir concludes.
— With inputs by Ruth Prarthana
