Pedalling doctors set healthy example for their patients

Practice what you preach, is an adage rarely practiced. Doctors in the city, who often advice patients on the benefits of physical exercise, are now actually ‘cycling the talk’. Many of them have taken up regular cycling to keep themselves fit. Incidentally, an unintended benefit of the same has gone down the line and has encouraged many of their patients to take up a sport or fitness activity.

Dr Nishit Shah, an orthopaedic surgeon, who has been cycling for over three years, took it up not only because of its health benefits but because it did not need any specialised training. “Before cycling I had high cholesterol and had an allergy that would result in continuous sneezing. But thanks to regular cycling my cholesterol level is now normal and the sneezing has gone. I never thought it would be possible,” said Dr Shah. He says his overall stamina and endurance has also improved. “I love garba. Earlier, I used to become breathless if I danced for more than 30 minutes. Now, I play garba continuously for over two hours, an endurance I gathered due to cycling,” said Dr Shah.

In fact, Dr Shah says he has also been advising his patients to take up cycling. “Many of my patients now cycle, although I must admit it is easy to convince the young patients than the older ones,” he said.

Counting other benefits, Dr Shah said: “As I pedal with a bunch of fellow enthusiasts, I have met new people, my horizon has broadened and I have learnt a lot about endurance, nutrition, cycle parts, how to repair them etc. These are the things I don’t think I would have bothered about before,” said Dr Shah, who met with an accident during the recently held cyclothon but is determined to continue cycling as soon as he recovers.

While Shah encouraged the patients, by cycling, Dr Bharat Oza, an anaesthetist, encouraged his fellow doctors to take up the sport. “I used to walk 5 km but then I discovered that it was not enough to keep myself fit. Then I took up swimming but lets just say I am not in love with water. That is when I moved to cycling and initially I borrowed children’s cycle,” said Dr Oza.

From 5 km of cycling he has now graduated and covers 50 km. “I don’t cycle everyday but my overall stamina has increased. Earlier when I used to run I would experience pain in my joints but cycling improved my ligament strength and now I even run a bit minus any discomfort,” said Dr Oza. His enthusiasm has rubbed on his family members, who too now cycle. “I don’t come in regular contact with patients but around five consultants, who seek my expertise, have now taken up cycling after looking at how it has helped me,” he said. In fact, he says it is the best cardiovascular exercise and costs the least.

Dr Pulin Shah, an orthopedic surgeon, who has been cycling for almost five years now too ended up inspiring his fellow doctors and his family too. “I started cycling to keep healthy although I had no complaints as far as my health is concerned. But over the years, I have seen my stamina improving despite the fact that I cycle just three days a week,” said Dr Shah, who is now accompanied by his wife on his cycling trips. “She got inspired by me and so has some of my fellow doctors,” he said.