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From the desk of Dr Nandita Shah...
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New Year is the time for new hopes and with it come new resolutions. Are you the kind of person who does not follow through with the resolution? If you are, you are not alone. But every time we fail at something, subconsciously we lose confidence in ourselves. It is not helpful.
Sometimes there is a step that we know we need to take to transform our lives. An unsuitable job, an unhappy marriage, health issues can be good reasons to make a change, but all too often we prefer to stick to the known devil. Change is difficult, but it’s the only way to move ahead.
When I decided to move from Mumbai to Auroville, leaving my practice and the life I knew, it was difficult. But I knew that I had to do it in order to progress. Surprisingly, the universe led me. Every difficulty was a learning experience that in the end worked out for the better even though it was hard to believe at first. I had to trust these directions.
This time, prove to yourself that you are a winner and that will raise your own confidence. Take small steps but make them sustainable. If something in your life is not working, be ready to make a big step, and you will experience a big transformation.
Wishing you progress this New Year
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Highlights
We are introducing two exciting new programs that will support you on your health journey. If its’ food that you wish to focus on, then check out The Health Foundation Program. If mental health is where you need some assistance, the Heal with Pen is for you. All our other programs are also focussed on different aspects of your well-being. Click here to know more.
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From Struggles to Strength
Data-scientist Shashi Iyer shares how with guidance and support he could change his habits and get into a healthier lifestyle.
Over many years, I fell prey to addictive ultra-processed foods. I also never enjoyed gymming. Tough times in my professional life spilled into my mental health, even at home. Increasingly, I avoided socialising and instead sought more screen time and packaged snacking accompaniments. In July this year, my weighing scale reading worked its way up to 103kgs. I also have a relatively advanced case of hiatal hernia, and frequent acid reflux issues, especially at night. This prevented me from getting a good night’s rest several times a week. At around the same time, almost every part of my body started aching. I grew tired of passively watching things happen to my body and signed up for SHARAN’s “Weight Loss & Health Gain” program.
I must commend SHARAN’s program participant intake process, whereby they seek out participants’ recent blood test results as well as information about their dietary habits and health conditions. After I filled in my intake form and signed up, I knew that I wasn’t just getting into the kind of weight loss program that a personal trainer / dietician at a gym would offer; I was rather in a program where health gain — the kind that can be measured in labs/blood work — was the focus, and weight loss would be one of the several beneficial outcomes.
SHARAN matched me to my coach, Supraja, who catalysed immense transformation in me. Though I was expecting merely to discuss my diet and weight gain issues, Supraja’s kindness and genuine curiosity about my issues helped me keep my dignity as I opened up about several health issues — things that many of us are conditioned to feel shameful about. Very methodologically, in our very first call, Supraja noted not only my health issues – physical, mental and psychological – but also details about my lifestyle. When would I wake up? When would I have my meals? How much time was I spending in front of a screen, at work and home? When would I sleep? and more. These too were signals that I was in for holistic health improvement.
Supraja equipped me with knowledge and tools for a lifetime of good health, but more so, her encouragement to experiment and learn from my own experiences really broadened my horizons. I learned aplenty about gut health, micronutrients, intermittent fasting and several other things. Supraja also encouraged frequent movement and gradual inclusion of exercise into my day. Not only had I broken out of my sedentary lifestyle, but in fact brought in and benefited from an exercise regimen that worked for me. Supraja even took the cliche out of gratitude journaling, helping me use it as a tool to pause, reflect or marvel over simple joys, fleeting moments and tiny privileges.
At the end of the program, I stand 7 kgs lighter, not because of a brief period of crash dieting or hyper gymming, but rather because I’ve learned to live healthier. My body pains have subsided. My acid reflux and resulting sleep disturbances have almost disappeared. I’m happy to be on this leisurely stroll towards progressively better health – slowly but steadily – just the way I like it.
Zesty Green Smoothie
Start your year and every day with the best breakfast in the world – Green Smoothies! They are high in nutrition, easy to make and totally yum!
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup fresh mint leaves (pudina)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2-3 peeled, frozen large ripe bananas, chopped and slightly defrosted
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ½ tsp grated unpeeled ginger
- 1 tbsp soaked raisins
- 2 cups water
Method
Take mint leaves and lemon juice in a blender. Add some of the bananas and blend until the mint leaves are well minced. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth. Add 2 cups water and blend. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
Serves 3-4
Food For The Mind
FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP
If you love Facebook, then join us to be supported on your plant-based journey. We offer 2 possibilities.
1. SHARAN India is SHARAN’s main Facebook page which you can like and follow for getting useful daily updates and news from the plant based health world. You will also get news about the latest SHARAN events, see testimonials, and more.
2. SHARAN’s Vegan Support Group is an open support group to know more about vegan/plant-based lifestyle. Here you can ask questions and share inspiring stories, tips, recipes, etc.
All our doctors and presenters will be here to answer your questions and give you tips. If you have attended our events join this group to be a part of our family.
Please like the main SHARAN page and join the group(s) applicable to you.
Other platforms to be connected and know more…
- WhatsApp
- Instagram
- YouTube – English & Hindi
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Resolutions Rock!
It’s a great time to set life goals, however most people fall off the wagon. So let’s be proactive and ensure that we stick to them with these practical ways that truly work!
1. Believe in Yourself
If you think you can do it, you will surely do it. However, if you think otherwise, then it won’t happen, so have faith.
2. Set the Intention
It’s vital to take out some time and chalk your goals in writing. Be specific and add in the numbers – I am losing 10 kilos in 3 months.
3. Limit the number
Choose the most important ones and remember when you do one, the other one follows. So if you start exercising regularly, then you will not feel like eating junk!
4. Stop saying STOP
Avoidance works less! So instead of saying I am going to stop sugar for a month, instead say I am going to enjoy only natural sugars like dates and fruits for a month.
5. Ensure they are Do-able
Set a target that can be easily done. Example if doing an hour-long meditation daily is your goal, start with 5 minutes and then slowly & gradually increase the time.
6. See them everyday
Stick your goals somewhere you can see them often on a day to day basis – on the mirror, on your laptop/phone screen etc.
7. Set a Time
The best way to get into a habit is to do it at a particular time of the day. Initially you will need to remember, however after a few days; your mind will remind you that it’s time!
8. Affirmations
These work big time! Simply write an affirmation – I always achieve what I set out to do, one page every day.
9. Make a List
And a tick daily to each goal as it’s done. This works like magic and the satisfaction thereof is something to be felt.
10. Join courses
Take on workshops that will help you be with your goal. So if your goal is eating healthy, then join a salad or smoothie or an oil-free class.
11. Have a Buddy
This helps as you both become accountable to each other.
12. Content awareness
Expose yourself to content that will help you achieve your goals. For example, if you wish to reduce sugar intake, block all accounts where delicious cakes, sweets etc are shown. Instead read up or listen on why sugar is harmful.
13. Change takes time
Remember this always and keep going! Even if you miss one day, get back and start again.
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All Events
Most of our events are online now, so you can join us from anywhere in the world. Click to know more…
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| What is SHARAN? |
Sanctuary for Health and Reconnection to Animals
and Nature (SHARAN) is a social enterprise with
the goal of spreading awareness about holistic
health and an ecologically sustainable
compassionate lifestyle.
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| Compiled & Edited by: |
This newsletter is compiled by SHARAN Head of Mumbai, Reyna K Rupani. She facilitates the Six Weeks to Health Gain & Weight Loss program and also conducts health talks for schools, groups, corporates and more.
Dec 2024 | Issue: 234
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