Stay fit to look good this Navratri

Festive days, no doubt, exist so that people can gorge on sweets and savouries that will please their tongue and satiate the stomach. And that’s what many would have done during Ganeshotsav. However, now is the time to get back in shape if you want to look your best during Navratri.

With less than a fortnight left for the festival, it is not possible to acquire a lean and muscular body, however, you can build up the required stamina to stay on the dance floor with your buddies for long.

“People often dance for hours together during Navratri, and thus it is important to focus on endurance training, circuit training and strengthening of joints. This will help in increasing one’s stamina so that they can keep going for a few hours. Circuit training is to condition one’s body; it helps in building muscular endurance,” said Leena Mogre, director, Leena Mogre’s Fitness.

Her fitness centres have a city-wide presence, with a branch at Four Points by Sheraton in Vashi.

Since too much physical activity can do more harm than good, Mogre’s advice is to indulge in stretching exercises every day. “After you go for your first dandiya session, it is important to do stretching exercises for a minimum of 20 minutes. This will help in recuperation of muscle fibres. It will cure soreness and rigidity of muscles, thereby making it easy for you to dance the next day,” she said.

One also needs to watch out their food intake. It is pointless to sweat it out in the gym if you continue binging. “Eating food items that contain proteins and complex carbohydrates is necessary; while protein replenishes lean muscle tissues, complex carbohydrates restore energy. Bhakri roti, sweet potatoes, soy beans, tofu are ideal for consumption,” said Mogre.

A few who do not want to miss out on the fun are already working  out to get their body in shape.

Vashi resident Kiran Desai said, “I go to the dandiya night organised by Pragati Mitra mandal. And I exercise at the gym regularly. But with only a few days left for the festival, I have started putting in extra hours and avoiding junk food so that I can dance without becoming breathless.”

Naina Mehta, a Koparkhairane resident, said, “I have been working out for the past two weeks and will continue to do so till Navratri. I hate missing out on dandiya celebrations, and thus I am making sure my body is ready for the exhausting dances. Not only for the dance, I believe in looking energetic and presentable for the festival, and for this exercising is a must.”

Time to get in shape
With less than a fortnight left for the festival, it is not possible to acquire a lean and muscular body, however, you can build up the required stamina to stay on the dance floor for long

People often dance for hours together during Navratri, and thus it is important to focus on endurance training, circuit training and strengthening of joints, says fitness expert Leena Mogre.