The 9-5 job has now become a 9-9 for many. With hardly any time left to devote to physical activities, many are falling prey to modern-day diseases. DNA, spoke to psychotherapist, Dr Roli Dave, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital to find out why it is important to exercise. Excerpts:
How important is it for a person to exercise? How many times in a week should one do it?
Regular exercise builds cardiac and respiratory health and helps to maintain ideal weight and good work endurance. It promotes better sleep, reduces tension and depression and increases energy and alertness. Exercises should be incorporated in daily routine with at least 3-5 days per week. Exercise increases the production of endorphins, which are feel-good hormones.
Along with exercising how important is it to have a balanced diet? What constitutes a balanced diet?
Exercising alone is not enough, eating right is also important. A balanced diet and physical exercise, both work hand in hand in achieving a long healthy life. Balanced diet constitutes food items like: chapatis, bread, rice, breakfast cereals, vegetables, fruits, dal, beans, poultry and meats, milk and cheese. It is important to mix various kinds of foods in right quantities, so that one’s requirements of nutrients would be met. One shouldn’t starve to look good.
Many start exercising and dieting to lose weight rather than to stay fit. Do you think people today are infatuated by ‘size zero’?
Youngsters are influenced in a big way by showbiz. I have seen many of them fasting and dehydrating themselves to look skinny. This is wrong, because, it deprives the body of many essential nutrients and results in severe nutritional deficiencies later in life. It is advisable to balance rest, activity, exercise and healthy diet to be physically fit and to stay in good shape.
With medical advancement, even teenagers are opting for surgeries to lose extra fat. Your comments.
Those who can’t lose weight by routine measures and fear developing medical problems may require liposuction or bariatric surgeries. But they are only for extreme circumstances, as these surgeries might result in various nutritional deficiencies. And these patients need to be on long term nutritional supplements. Exercising and choosing the right diet is the best way to control weight and be fit.
What is the best way to stay fit — outdoor activities, gymming
or dance forms like belly dancing? Why?
All forms of physical activity help in building fitness, endurance and strength. A good exercise regime should include cardiac/ aerobic exercises, stretching and strengthening exercises. A combination of all is good to stay fit.
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