1ON1 Fitness Holiday

Self Development Journal - Can Change your life !

2012-02-10T03:14:00.000-08:00

Self Development Journal

Hi all today i want to write about a small action that has brought tremendous change in my life .

A diary - Mini Pocket notebook that has become my teacher , my guide , my master , my friend who tells me i am in sync with my goals or far away from them.

I personally love journals , love diaries and got this from one of my closest friends tanya she used to take me to these lovely stationery shops and we used to buy tons of superb looking planners , diaries etc.

I have owned tons of them but honeslty hardly written anything substantial in it until recently after coming back from Sivananda where their manual explains about Spiritual Diary .

The concept is simple : We all make resolutions at the New Year, don’t we? You make resolves not to eat meat, not to smoke, not to drink alcohol , to lose weight , to look hot , to fast once a week , to wake up early , to be kind to your wife etc.

Most of us even forget about them once the 1st day of the new year is over . I dont blame us because once we get into our daily lives we tend to forget with all the pressures and line up of activities ahead of each day .

At the end of the next year your left behind with the same set of resolutions , its disheartening but you feel helpless and so much so that you stop making resolutions .

Here is the key a simple mini - pocket note book with a pre filled set of resolutions you have made : Example of a diary

A general format of a diary is as follows:

Week from: to: Year:

· When did you get up from bed?

· How many hours of sleep?

· How long did you meditate?

· How long did you exercise

· How long did you do Asanas

· How much did i stick to my diet ?

· Did you fast or keep vigil?

· How many lies told?

· How much charity given?

· How long and how often angry?

· What self punishment for anger?

· How long in useless company?

· What virtue is developing? (Polite, kind, smile , giving etc)

· What evil are you eradicating? (Habits like Smoking, Drinking etc)

· How long in reading inspiring books?

-Source: Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Manual; pg 9.9

This is just an example of the elements in your Spiritual Diary, your diary could have just 4 or 5 to start with the important thing is to monitor on a daily basis and you will be amazed with the results. but do keep in mind that do not make a resolve that you cannot follow at least to a certain extent because if you make too many resolves , it is like overloading a weak muscle – it will collapse .

However, if you are 100 % successful then it is not a proper resolve because it is already a way of your life. You must take something that you are still imperfect at and wish to improve If I were to take the above four resolves I would be completely successful in them. Instead I should take other resolves such as ‘I will not get angry’. Every year I fail to resolve, so I changed my resolve so that instead of getting angry every second day, I will get angry every third day! Before going to bed I examine how many times I got angry or how many times I shouted. Then I pray to God and say, ‘Oh Lord, I am offering this to you ‘In this way I surrender. That is what resolves are all about.

Discipline should be slow and gradual in-order to avoid a counter reaction from the mind. Make realistic resolves and then look at your diary. Perhaps you have resolved to get up at 5am. If on twenty days of the month you got up at 8am and on ten days you were able to get up at 5am, then you are happy. At the end of each month study your performance and decide how to improve even further. At the end of year you will find that your will power has increased tremendously.

I have seen it grow by the day . This year I resolved Thursday - Giving day I have to give something be it food / clothes / choclates to 10 needy people . Friday is Water Fast .

I also maintain another small diary where I write my workout as well as my food intake for the day as this keeps me in check with my binges . This is a regular practice we have with all our clients at 1ON1 Fitness Holidays and they are amzed with the kind of results they get . They start with burning 1000 kcal a day and end up with 2000 kcal a day with no aches and pains and loving each day.

Its amazing how penning down things can have such a big impact on this monkey mind . It is really like a teacher giving you marks everday to take you to your desired rank or goal .

We adults when we leave school , are harldy accountable to anyone . It is this accountability that can take us to our dreams. Set a goal , make your plans , your resolutions and maintain this journal and watch the magic !!!!

I am truly happy with it !

Try it and give me your feedback !

Excited to be Alive

Khushi and Prahlladh Bulchandani

http://www.1on1fitnessholidays.com/

- Source : Vishndevananda Upadesha ; Pg 77 , Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Manual ;pg 9.9; My own experience :)

5 weeks of Muay Thai Training , Phuket - My experience

2012-01-12T05:14:00.000-08:00

Hi all

5 weeks of Muay Thai Training , Phuket , Thailand

I would love to share my experience with you guys !

How it all started !

I have always been interested in fighting (those of you who know me will agree..lol) Broken several bones (Yes mine as well) but it has never been satisfying cause it was just random, with brutal strength and no technique.

I have tried Karate and Kung fu and also nearly booked myself into the Shoalin Temple , China in search of that drive which I was looking for and finally ended up in Thailand to get introduced and learn Muay thai- This was one of the best things that happened to me.

Muay thai really tests your fitness and gets you tough and confident, it is simple to learn and understand and only time and practice can get you better. The sessions are great where everyone is dripping sweat, hitting bags, working with trainers kicking pads and sparing. Here the energy levels are high and just when your about to collapse you hear ‘ok good job you can go now after 200 kicks, 300 push ups and 200 sits up’. I love the part where every one comes full power to training and by the end of it every one literally crawls out only leaving a trail of dripping sweat along the path back home. For me this was my awakening, my lost soul and my second love. I recommend it to all who love fitness and are looking for something challenging and hard core.... Best of luck.!

Below is the a set of Frequently Asked Questions about Muay Thai in Tiger gym at Phuket , Thailand. As when I was looking for vital data about the course I hardly found anything online so hopefully the data below gives you a comprehensive idea of all you need to know if your planning to ever try Muay Thai at Tiger Gym in Thailand.

If you have any queries please feel free to email me at prahlladh@1on1fitnessholidays.com

Faq

What is muay thai , how is it different from other MMA , boxing , Karate , Kalripatu etc .

Muay thai or Thai Boxing which is a 8 limb contact sport. Hear the fighter can use fists, elbows, knees and kicks

What is that makes Mauy thai , interesting ?

It is a great sport which builds your fitness, strength, speed, reflexes and self confidence. Im sure it will also come in use in a hostile situation as well..lol

Did you try any other technique and what did you think of the same ?

I did some wrestling but felt i dint want to put my hands into any other form of martial arts until i got good at one so i stuck to Muay thai

What is you view on tiger gym with reference to the following

Orientation

At tiger i had no one to show me around or tell me what to do or where to go for my classes.. I had to figure it out for my self (may be it was because i landed on a sunday) but you get to know whats going on in a couple of days. I would have liked it though if i was shown around and told where my class was going to be...so dont go with an expectation of being spoon fed . you got to find your own food and eat it yourself.

Accommodation

I stayed at Tiger gym which was very convenient. I had an AC room were i would step out of my room and literally step into the training arena. Apart from the convenience the rooms were not kept too well as i has termites chewing my bed and ants all over the place. I then changed my room to another one which was less infested with bugs but the paint was all worn out. In short you can find a ton of better accommodation close to Tiger Gym for the same price or cheaper.All you need is scooter on hire and your mobile.

Trainers

The trainers at Tiger are not as particular about technique as they should be. It gets better once you reach the intermediate level though but whats the point when you don't get a solid foundation in the Beginners area. The trainers are looking at you as potential for personal training sessions and once they know you may not be interested in private lessons they don't seem to be interested. I also signed up of personal training for most of the time it was there where i learnt the most. My trainer was a bit of a lazy guy and used my time to do a few of his chores (which i noticed and disliked). I would suggest not to get stuck to one trainer and to pay by the session rather than for the 10 session or more.

Equipment

The boxing equipment was great and the place was really clean though everyone in dripping with sweat.

The gym equipment was a disgrace cause all the equipment was old and rusted ( i guess they don't give a lot of importance to this). However over all there was a great vibe .

Fellow Mates

I met people form all over the world which was really nice and most were very serious about their training which was what made the camp.

Nutritional Food

There is no nutritional advice. This is one department where you are on your own. The food available at tiger and restaurants is great in fact all restaurants have a “fighters menu” with health eating options you can choose from. They also have a bunch of protein shakes etc. So the one knows their nutrition its great and for some one who doesn't it could be a disaster. Which is what didnt make it holistic like www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

What was daily schedule like ?

You can wake up to a yoga class at 7.00am

Muay thai group session @ 8.00am

MMA @ 9

Private classes are between before 8.00am and between12.00pm and 3.00pm (you will have to fix it with your trainer in advance)

Muay thai group session @ 4.00pm

Western Boxing 3 times a week @ 4.00pm

How did your body react to the intense training provided by them ?

Well at first since i was overwhelmed with excitement i did both the morning and evening sessions finding my entire body broken into bits on day three. I would strongly recommend only doing 1 session a day and going to the gym for the 2nd session or doing a personal training session. I recovered from my fatigue with some nice thai massages (no not the non-veg ones).

Is muay thai a good option even for a weight loss holiday ?

I think its great but only if one knows their nutrition, other wise there will be too much muscle loss and a chance of dehydration and fatigue

How do they guide you through different stages of Muay Thai

There are three areas at Tiger - The Beginners, The Intermediate and The Advanced. You start at the beginners and the trainers will decide when and if you are ready to go to the Next level. However in my opnion i feel the beginners is the longest and most exhausting as their is a lot of cardio and conditioning. The Higher the level the more concentration on the “real stuff” - Pad work, sparing and bag work.

What do you think were the elements missing in your training ?

I think the right advice on Nutrition and Overtraining were never mentioned. Injuries were very common cause people were over training. If one could get good advice in these 2 aspects one could get great results.

Did you travel in a group or single and how was your experience ?

I went alone and it was great. There were tons of people who had come alone as well to train. Some people were there for six months to a year as well. This is any fitness lovers dream. Theres no limit on the training one could train from 1 hour to 6 hours or more in a day.

What are the fun elements of the training ?

Every last saturday would be a party at the gym. Its called a Barbecue beet down where members who want to fight give in their names and the gym organizes fights. Other members gather around and drink beer, eat well and watch gym members beat each other up. This is great for amateurs and a great way to start fighting and develop your self confidence, technique and a also way to reflect on mistakes and perform better next time.

What would you do different next time ?

Next time I would go a bit easy on the training so as to avoid injuries. I would definitely sign up for a lot more private sessions cause i think this is where you learn the most. I would also try out other gyms and trainers. I would definitely stay outside the gym and sign up for sessions on a daily basis which i think will be cheaper in the long run and will give me the flexibility to train at my own tempo.

What are the other places to travel close by

Phi Phi Island : I didnt enjoy it too much .

What do you think of the phuket as an island ?

Phuket is very active on all fronts more of a city than a secluded island. Given a personal choice i would definitely prefer a smaller island like Chang Mai .

What do you think time period to spend in learning Muay Thai In Thailand ?

The more the merrier. But to even scratch the surface i think a month at least and then daily practice, which is what is going to get you better in the end.

What is that you loved most about your trip to Thailand and would you go back ?

Well I cant say much about Thailand, but i have fallen in love with MUAY THAI and will go back to Thailand to practice whenever i get a chance.

To conclude your experience you would say : I LOVED EVERY BIT OF MUAY THAI and inspired by the same I am in the making of a boxing studio @ 1ON1 Fitness Holidays , Kodaikanal will keep you guys posted on that !

Cheers

Prahlladh Bulchandani

http://www.1on1fitnessholidays.com/

Weekly Water Fast to detox - My Experience

2012-01-12T03:06:00.000-08:00

Series : Learnings at Sivananda : 3

Weekly Water Fast – My experience has been superb!!

Fasting a common word we have heard since childhood especially as part of the Hindu culture there are so many fasts for various reasons, Monday fast for Shiv Ji , Tuesday fast for Ganapathi , Karva Chaud fast for long life of the husband and many others .

I have seen our parents fasting but never really understood the real meaning behind fasting . When I was 18 years old someone told me if you fast for 9 Tuesdays you get what you want and of course all those teenage love stories, we all fall in love, we all want that one relationship to work and so I did it too. Our fasts had one meal before sunset, where you could have any vegetarian food without garlic and onions. For sure we hogged on that meal like we have never eaten. Most of all during the day we were allowed fruits and milk.

I completed my 9 fasts , did I get what I wanted not really , so as selfish human beings are of course I stopped fasting hahaha . Then came another time recently 2011 September where I decided to fast for 9 days for Navrati , Ma durga fast where your allowed liquids all day and one meal in the evening only fruits . I did it honestly for self control and for weight loss.

Then went to Sivananda Yoga Ashram , Kerala a month later , where we learnt about fasting and its real physical and mental benefits . I decided to experience it then and there. I fasted one of the days during the TTC course and I saw my concentration levels peaked, my self control at the highest, I wanted to be quiet all day and just look within. Yes I did 4 hours of yoga so by 7.00 pm I was tired and no energy until next morning.

I realised this stuff really works , so when I came back as a new year resolution I planned to start fasting once a week on water , I have completed 2 fasts on my third one this week and my experience has been fabulous .

I realised how much my body needs this break, one day of rest for the digestion like a Sunday after a hard week , it cleanses and refreshes us completely . I also realised how my mind needs a break of thinking from what to eat next because whether we realise it or no we are thinking about food practically every 2 hours . and you naturally have more time for contemplation because you aren't using time amassing, preparing, eating, eliminating and cleaning up all which is used to prepare food. You become more aware of what your body likes and doesn't like when you start to eat again. You gain self-confidence in your ability to control your life process, to set a goal and carry out an intention. I kept away from the sensory pleasures of taste and believe me felt so powerful and under control. I could meditate extremely well with complete focus.

I didn’t not feel weak, a little dizziness as I had an active day so I retired early . I had more than 8 litres of warm water.

The part I made a mistake in was the breaking of the fasts both the times , my first meal was light but my second meal was a binge , heavy carbohydrates and more than my normal appetite. Its true that your body craves for more, but you have to be mindful and say I am done , otherwise you may have troubles of heavy stomach , gas and others .

The breaking of fasts is as important as the fast. The more I am doing it, the more i look forward to it . Whenever my mind says I am hungry, I always tell him listen it’s just a matter of a day. Also you start valuing your meals a lot more and thank god so much for giving you lovely food every hour it’s really a boon and you only realise it when you stop it.

Also an interesting phenomenon occurs after a fast. The years of conditioning your body to tolerate unhealthy foods is reversed. The body is as clean as a newborn baby. Try feeding a newborn baby Grandma's apple pie.

When the body is full of toxins, its defence systems are not able to operate effectively. After a fast the natural defences are restored and sensitivity to unhealthy food is increased. You will feel satisfied with smaller amounts of food and sluggish and tired when overeating. Rich foods, full of fat, salt, and processed sugars will cause nausea, headaches and weakness. A handful of fruit will be thoroughly satisfying. Because the digestive system has to work less, there will be boundless energy to spare.

These were my experiences but they were very different from the fasts I did earlier for Karva Chaud or 9 Tuesday because this time I was aware what my body was feeling and so not even for a bit did i feel hungry or crave it was awesome. We surely cant be dwelling on food on a one day fast as it really makes the purpose meaningless.

I also did a little reading to find answers to a few of my queries:

Does the body lose essential tissues or muscle during a fast?

“In a fast naturally, there will be some weight loss, discomfort, dizziness, and other withdrawal symptoms, especially for beginners, but this is all part of the body's way of cleansing and healing itself: excess fat or weight will be burned off and chemicals and other poisons will be released into the bloodstream for expulsion. Only diseased or worn out tissue is burned or expelled. The body is not stupid enough to consume its own healthy tissue.”- Paul Bragg
So true this body is beautiful machine and is magical.

What happens inside a body when you fast ?

“By fasting, what you are in effect doing, is marshalling all of the body's energy(much of which would normally go into digesting) and focusing it on whatever needs to be cleaned or repaired. Rest or the conservation of your energy is also important to your fast. Sleep in itself is a kind of enforced fast that allows us to recover from our days' activities. “- Paul Bragg

Recommended Period of Fast ?

“Fasting one day out of seven is not a huge sacrifice to make, especially when you consider the benefits or rewards. Begin your fast in the evening, right after your last meal. By the time you wake up, half the fast will already be over. Resume regular eating in the evening. The braver ones can extend it to thirty-six hours although I don't recommend this unless you've had previous experience or feel compelled to do so.Twenty-four to thirty-six hours is just long enough before the fasting process starts to get really serious. -.- Paul Bragg*”

Age a criteria ?

“Nobody is too old to fast - it is exactly what the body needs to feel young again. Shorter fasts are recommended to start. Assess your physical state as you proceed. If juice fasting becomes too intense, bananas and avocados will lessen the intensity by slowing the cleansing. – Paul Bragg* “

How to break a fast?

"Keep the first solid meal light and simple even though the mental temptation to dive into heavier favourites will probably be high. Be gentle with your digestive system and your digestive system will not only thank you but the overall benefits of the cleanse will last much longer.

Start with Juices, raw vegetables or fruits. The next meal may include heavier carbs but in any case you will notice that your body is very sensitive to what you eat and you should use this period of transition to learn more about what your body likes and doesn't like you to put into it.

When waking up a slumbering digestive system, the desire to eat will be intense. The flavors and textures of food will be enhanced by super clean nasal passages. Eating will be a brand new experience. This is the time to flex your new-found muscles of discipline and self-control. As the body screams, I want more, wisdom whispers, you have had enough.

Eat slowly and chew your food well. Saliva has enzymes that assist in digestion. Up to 80 percent of the starch, 30 percent of the protein and 10 percent of the fat can be digested by the enzymes in saliva.

Do not overeat! Discover the amount of food that your body needs to live a vibrant, healthy life. Discern the difference between cravings and hunger. Never feed your emotions. "- Paul Bragg*"

I did over eat and truly suffered from heavy stomach , gas , constipation so need to be careful with the way we break the

All the very best if youll are giving it a shot, do let me know your experiences. I am super happy with fasting a week and surely looking forward to another one this week.
Excited to be Alive
Khushi Bulchandani
www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

*Paul Bragg : Author of the book : Miracles of Fasting - Quite an Interesting book.

“Karmayoga “- Selfless Service – The true implementation of the same in my life !

2012-01-05T06:40:00.000-08:00

Series : Learnings at Sivananda : 2

“Karmayoga “- Selfless Service – The true implementation of the same in my life !

This a little story of a girl who went to school in the south in the small town called Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu .She has lovely parents , then in junior college came to Mumbai , enjoyed the big city life , but at the end of the day what she loved was her coffee , her books & her family .

Graduated in Bachelors of Management Studies , then came the time to take up a job , marketing nor finance really appealed to her. She went to her favourite temple( Krishna) sat down and closed her eyes asking her God "pls guide me , as money does not seem to be her motivator at all . (May be she could say that because her parents had more than enough to keep her happy )

Then it was a miraculous moment where she said all “I want do is spread smiles to the underprivileged children “Then started the hunt , she came across a Diploma in social work she completed that , did a rehabilitation counselling course to understand the life of the disabled people she further went to do her MBA in Social Entrepreneurship.

At every step she saw that the solutions offered to help people where very impermanent : offering food , shelter , standard education or employment . It wasn’t enough and it didn’t change the grave situation people were in . (Temporary momentary solutions and not holistic).

Example of Dharavi is Asias Biggest Slum even if there were 2000+ NGOs it didn’t really change much about dharavi in fact people in that slum had lost any hope from social work organisations as again NGOs without choice have to run like a business firm as they need Funds so they are donor driven .

She was unhappy with her experience of 2 years in the social sector not only because of the NGOs and its impact but also that it didn’t seem to provide the peace she was in search of , nor for the people , nor for her , she didn’t know what she was looking for but this wasn’t it .

By now she turned 24 , she got married , came to a new family and met her new mother who took her to the next step on the path , the step she was actually in hunt of “Vipassana” . – a Meditation Technique to calm and purify your mind . This was exactly what was the answer to her questions, because it was this technique really that bring peace and real happiness to the whole world.

She loved it but then it was not an easy path, she came back and got into her life and didn’t practice it on a regular basis, she knew it was the right thing but you know the mind it can trick you through and through . Luckily God sent her again and this time it really stuck into her , she came back and starting implementing it in her life.

It was still very tough and she thought may be if you renounce then it’s easier to walk on the path , But she loved her husband and loved her new life , so that was far from the question then she came in touch with “Yoga” A tool to calm the body first ,then the mind. Lucky enough to land up into Sivananda Yoga Center for Teachers Training , here social work was truly explained to her , where she understood selfless service refers to being an instrument to God , serving like your serving God , seeing the God in each being , seeing the Buddha in each being its only then when service is selfless . When there are no expectations , and most of all when you know you’re not the do-er.

In Sivananda Ashram when she was given the seva of serving the lunch every day, she chanted during her serving , she only gave the food assuming herself to be just an instrument of God to provide that meal to the living Buddas there and trust me it changed the way she served .

In fact she always wondered why people told her , we love the way you serve , you’re always smiling , your just never in a hurry to go get your own food and then she realised the power of serving selflessly , you forget yourself and truly devote yourself to your work .

Then the Bhagwat Gita was explained to her, there she met the Krishna she has been praying to for years but she was given the supreme knowledge right there at Sivananda. There Krishna answered her biggest doubt of " Karmayoga is better path than renunciation". It is a tougher spiritual path than renunciation as living in this world and being able to serve selflessly will take you leaps and bounds on the path than renouncing from the world because at some point even when you renounce you still have to deal with the world. So do your duty with Karmayoga.Do your dharma.

Here he gave her the beautiful gift of “Yoga” to serve the world this instrument of peace selflessly like she was serving her very own Krishna.

Today she relaises that It is yoga and meditation that could real change the grave situation people were in and not a job or a meal it would only give them temporary happiness . Its like we need to change the glasses we see the world with and then everything changes . It is those glasses that i have to help the world see through and rich or poor "Happiness is just a state of mind "

Thanks to Sivananda that I ( the little girl ) was given this supreme knowledge of bliss. I am going to share it with the whole world.

Today every morning I repeat this lovely prayer which would love to share with you all :

“Lord Make an Instrument of Your peace

Where there is Hatred , let me sow love

Where there is doubt , Faith

Where there is darkness , light

Where there is sadness , joy

O Divine master , grant that , I may seek not so much to be consoled as to console , to be understood as to understand , to be loved as to love , because it is in giving that we receive , it is in pardoning that we are pardoned , it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. “

- Source : Bodi Sangha ( Zen Bodhi)

No words can explain my regards to every teacher past , present and future in bringing me this far on the path . Full of gratitude I only wish their blessings and teachings stay with me always.

In peace and Happiness

Khushi Bulchandani

www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

“Importance of Surrendering “ –Taught to me at Sivananda Yoga Center

2012-01-03T04:54:00.000-08:00

“Importance of Surrendering “ –Taught to me at Sivananda Yoga Center

A word that I have forgotten and I surely think our generation has forgotten.

Why should we surrender , we are allowed to ask questions , we do not believe in blind faith , we want to know the reason and clarify a thousand times before we think of putting our faith or trust into something/ someone.

At first this seems perfectly correct . As we have seen so much of blind faith followed in the previous generations that we think we deserve to ask and know the detail of each of it . This brings us into the next step where we are filled with tons of theory but not ready to practice and experience any of it , we just like to debate , argue … and develop and share our opinions .

I myself belonging to this generation came from this attitude until I visited “Vipassana “ and Sivananda Yoga Center , Kerala.

Both these places on the first day tell us: “you have left your family , your work and come here to learn meditation and yoga , you have to SURRENDER to us for this period of time and keep your mind OPEN .Experience and do what we say and gradually you will understand it. “

The surrender here included surrender of my opinions , mythoughts , my pre-conceived notions of spirituality , my time and my faith.

I said yes as I am here I will do all they say and after I complete my course I will decide what I like , what I don’t like and then take it or leave it .

1 month in Sivananda we all followed the tight schedule , the intense yoga , satsang , seva , Bhagwat gita philosophy classes all of it which was tough , which was so new but each day it only got better , each day we understood so much better and by the end of 1 month I don’t know about anyone else but I surely know that my LIFE was altered .

Then when I think back whenever I have gained something it is only been when I have surrendered to a guru / person / institute.

I Surrendered to my husband when I got married and I learnt so much about exercise right eating , right living , I did not argue that I know better and today I have a great body and super healthy lifestyle.( not that I didn’t face flak from friends and relatives , how can you do all he says , I didn’t pay heed I dived into it and came back flying and today they all admit he was right and has made a better me)

I surrendered to my mother –in –law , today I can run a house like I never did because I surrendered Iearnt , I surrendered to my boss at work and I learnt so much on how to present , how to work systematically etc.

When you look at all the ancient scriptures eg : the GITA , Krishna gave the supreme knowledge of life to Arjuna only when he surrendered .

Most of all , in today’s generation we don’t realize that surrender is in –fact a favor the other person is doing for us . As he has to work on you once you surrender while you just have to tread the path. So if you don’t surrender no one but you lose the gem in your life. It’s like 20 students left the Sivananda Teachers Training Course in the first week because they imagined only Asanas all day . While Sivananda looks at yoga from its source , and all the four types of yoga – Bhakti yoga ( satsang) . Raj yoga ( Asanas and Pranamyas) , Karmayoga – Self less Service , Jnana Yoga – Supreme Knowledge ( philosophy). Today I am grateful every bit that I put my faith in them and have learnt so much.

Definitely you should surrender with complete awareness , should if the guru is a thug . The criteria is very simple if he asking you for offerings and strange sacrifices then its time to be careful.

Sivananda is the purest that way and provides you with immense spiritual knowledge and tools to keep you on the spiritual path.

I Thank every teacher , every student , every guru past and present of Sivananda for putting all of us on the path and making us realize the importance of the principles and values we have forgotten.

Cheers !

Excited to be Alive

Khushi Bulchandani

www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

My experience at Sivananda Ashram , Neyyar Dam , Kerala (TTC -2011)

2012-01-02T05:28:00.001-08:00

Hiiii all
4 weeks in Sivananda Yoga Ashram
Awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me tell u a little about my days here !!!!

So I walk into a lovely green paradise , early morning , welcomed with very sweet smiles , a few formalities then I move on to my dormitory I was excited as I never ever went to a hostel in my life and man here is my chance to live life like a boarding school

So I walk into my dorm , its calm , its clean , it’s not really bunker beds but like 2 beds in a cubicle very clean ... lovely much more than I expected .... I had a lovely smiling room mate so accommodation was set then we went had a lovely orientation around the beautiful 12 acre property ... not as big as the number sounds but a beautiful vibe in the place I must say ... dining hall for brunch and dinner served the langar style ..( On the floor we are all lined up and served in our plates). and you won’t believe it I used to love the langar khana in the gurudwara in Coimbatore it was a dream .

Then we enter our classroom and see this lovely smiling instructor Shiv Shambu giving us the introduction to Teachers Training Course . In 2weeks here he has become my yoga guru .... he is the best teacher I have ever met . Makes you laugh all the time and always tells you YOGA IS NOT AN EXERCISE IT IS A TOOL TO MOKSH ..... it is tool to go inward .. a tool to find peace and happiness... and in 2 weeks here I can sense it ... its amazing ..... !!!!!!!!!!!!
Then comes our evening satsang ...scary because I always imagined old aunties like dadis , nanis going to satsang every evening and I never knew what it was ... and here we go .. its quite its peaceful we do some chanting .... ( all the lovely prayers we have been learning since childhood without knowing the meaning) ( eg jaya ganesha , hare rama hare Krishna , etc) and the meaning of chanting these deities names was only to call for these energies .. each deity is symbolic to an energy which we call for ... like lord ganesh to remove our obstacles ...

why do we need these energies only because we ourselves are also nothing but a ball of energy ( positive and negative ) that’s why we are so easily effected by energies around us ... what we call the “ vibe” good vibe bad vibe etc...

Besides after chanting we had a lovely ceremony : “Traditionally the Gurukula System the student would surrender to the teacher for 12years . “ here they follow the same tradition of the gurukula system : guru : disciple for 30 days its kalyug everything is quick fast ;) and we were then given our uniforms lovely yellow and white showed in the pictures uploaded . (Why yellow and White : as they both stand for purity ..)
Then we had introduction of 145 students wooowwww from all the possible nationalities Africa , uk , usa , japan , turkey , honkong , lots of Indians too Bangalore , Chennai , Delhi awesome and everyone had the same goals and vision .... of changing their way of life ...

Then after an exhaustive day : we were up next morning at 5.30 am : best time to meditate so here is our schedule :
5.30 : wake up
6.00 Meditation and Chanting. (this really calms us down.. foreign nationals being new to this culture do find it difficult and intially but gradually they understand the meanings of the same. Open mind is necessary to gain the benefits from this course)
7.30 Tea
8.00 Asana Classes : Where we do all the Postures , its amazing how much each of us has progressed in 4 weeks its awesome and the biggest learning that has been is that any asana that we are unable to is because of 70 % fear and 30 % physical strength. The aim of yoga is more than exercise it is to remove the fears from within which is our biggest weakness to Moksh. Its true because when I came I couldn’t do the head stand and I always thought I didn’t have enough shoulder strength but today they teach us before you start you visualise yourself doing the head stand and then slowly come into the posture in 2 weeks I HAVE DONE IT !!!!! its a miracle it was really a big fear !!!
10.00 am Brunch ( Full meal with dal , vegetables , brown rice , wheat pancakes , salad and curd )I love the food but again there are people who have never had this kind of food and thus resist it but I must say by the end of 2 weeks they understand and begin to enjoy the same food.As they are trying to teach us that food is a means to provide fuel to the body not provide us sensory pleasure everything is not about like , dislike but about being neutral and letting every moment pass ... )
10.30 am : Everyone is given Karmayoga( that is chores of the ashram but the reason for that is purely to develop “spirituality in every action” , Whether its gardening , serving food or cleaning it is done as if your serving your god and believe me the pleasure of wishing good and serving the supreme is a lovely feeling ... my karmayog is to serve brunch at the dining hall and I love it .. I pray before putting in the food on the plate and wish goodhealth to every person I am serving and bless all of us to be liberated.
12.00 pm : Bhakti Yoga : (Chanting class where they explain the meaning of the chanting its powers of how it melts your heart as you surrender to the lord) our teacher sings so well and from the heart its lovelyyyy . This was for a week now we are studying the Gita which is the root of yoga. LOVE IT .
1.00 : We had extra coaching for people who need help in certain postures this is where they give special attention to whoever needs help really nice .
1.30 : Fruits and Tea
2.00 : Main Lecture ( Philosophy of Yoga and Anatomy)
4.00 : How to teach Yoga : Sequence of the class , how to correct postures : lovely class .. we are taught with so much detail its amazing.
6.00 : Dinner ( Full meal similar to lunch : yup food without Onion , Garlic and Oil)
8.00 Meditation and Chanting
9.30 pm : Home work time
10.30 pm : Lights out
Haaaaaaa Exhaustive days at 10.30 the bed is like a dream with so much knowledge , so much exercise your ready to collapse ...
I love it !!!! this is how I imagined it , we have got amazing teachers , assistant teachers , everyone serves us with so much love and they all are so passionate about the yoga its amazing.

Fun Elements ::::
Talent show on Saturdays : What funnnnnnn !!!! we have people coming up and performing different stuff from all the different cultures possible it is superrbbb .... Contemporary dances, bangra , cultural dances , story telling , singing , rap songs awesome stuff and very very entertaining
Then we have lots of Guest Speakers on very interesting Sciences: Vedic Maths , Vastru Shastra as these have the same philosophy : they are based on Vedanata Philsophy like yoga and are quite magical I must say .
The we have FRIDAY off every week to chill relax , grasp all that we have done through the week ... they also organise a trip around kerala to backwaters , kanyakumari and others for whoever is interested I just wait for this day to sleep sleep sleep ... !! hahahaha or relax blog , talk to my husband on skype , or go for a lovely run the weather is superb.
People : Lovely People ... from different cultures its very nice to see human beings in harmony and always smiling at each other .
Its been 4 weeks and I don’t think there has been a moment I have not smiled.. it’s tough but there are powers here that take you to another land ...
I love it ... and you got to surrender yourself to a system and only then will you be able to get the benefits of this place if you resist it like why this . why that then automatically your mind will trick you in and youll only be cribbing and lose out the lovely vibes of this place..
I love it !!!! and now I better take off .. will continue giving more details of the camp !!! This is just WHAT I DID NOT CLOSE TO WHAT I FELT AND EXPERIENCED .
Regards
Khushi Bulchandani
www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

Whats Stopping You from Running Today ?

2011-11-08T21:16:00.000-08:00

Whats Stopping You from Running Today ?
All of us fight with many (mostly) internal and (a few) external thoughts which block us from starting to run. Some of the most common ones are...
Internal barriers:

People at my age don't run. I have never run before / for a long time. People have started running late in their 40's and 50's. Fauja Singh started at 89. See Buster Martin at 101 and Fauja Singh at 97 train for the 2008 London Marathon.( you tube it to see their videos)

I have a breathing problem. Running has been known to reduce asthma as it strengthens the cardio vascular system.
What will people think of me. They'll actually envy you!( So true !!!!)
Walking is the best. Not so now, as various studies on large populations of people have shown. Check this study( http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/21631/Don-t-walk-run)
I don’t have the right gear/ equipment. Actually to start you don't need much - just a pair of shoes appropriate for your feet. ( My best reco is Ree-flex of Reebok to start with i love it)
I will be out of place. Actually just look around you and you will see people of all shapes, sizes and ages running. Don't worry, you will not stand out.( Its amazing when you open your mind to the running community out there)
I have no time. President Clinton and Anil Ambani make time to run regularly. So can you.( Even Ants are busy haha)
I travel a lot. So do they. Pack your shorts, T shirt and running shoes. Running helps overcome jet lag. Get to see another city while you travel - in a unique way - while running.( Forest Gump saw the world like that)
I am too fat. But isn't that what you want to address? Lose weight, get healthier and more energised? People have lost over 25kilos of weight primarily through running and following moderation in eating. Running can be a no rocket science, no crash diet, long term means of losing weight, keeping it off, and leading a healthier lifestyle.( Running is the best cardio ever)
I am slim. I don't need to run, or exercise for that matter. ( In fact you can run better as you have lesser weight to carry , running is nirvana)
Doctors have told me running is bad for the knees. Unless you have a bone problem, impact exercise -of which running is the most steady, has been known to reduce incidence of osteoporosis, strengthen the muscles and bone joints and ACTUALLY improve the condition of your knees.. Once again - the shoes you wear must be appropriate to your feet and must also be replaced as soon as you see signs of wearing out on the heels of your feet.
I will start next week. If you look at your diary for next week and see all the things that have been put there, it may be better to start this week and ease up on your heavy 'next week'( There is No tommorow)

External barriers:

It's too hot / humid.You need to be properly hydrated and attired, and run indoors or early morning
It's too cold. Wear layers of 'breathable' clothes for warmth and head out.
It's too polluted. There is far too much noise & traffic on the roads. Run early morning, or in a park, or indoors on a treadmill if possible
There are no proper running trails where I stay. Check out a park, or even the roads/ sidewalks early in the morning.
Stray dogs are a problem. Run with a stick and build your own confidence. Most often, they don't even care, especially earlier on in the morning.
I don't have company. Start and you will make many new friends and acquaintances, as you start greeting people who are walking and running. Join a running group.

So what's your reason for not running today?
Forget the reasons and remember : the runners high .... it will be the reason for you to wear those shoes on and belt it !!!
Start Running Now !!!
Source :http://runningandliving.com/why/
Excited to be Alive
Prahlladh and Khushi Bulchandani

www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

How long before the binge ( wrong food) shows as a weight gain?

2011-11-07T23:48:00.000-08:00

How long before calorie surplus shows as weight gain?

How many have you eaten a really bad dinner calorie-wise and then weighed yourself in the morning to see how much you've gained? Raise your hand. I know I have.

This got me to wondering (or pondering): how long does it take before a calorie surplus shows up as a weight gain?

It takes a 3500 calorie deficit to see a 1 pound loss but many factors can cause a gain such as water retention.

The answer to this question is pretty complex & like everything in health & the human body, what may be the answer for one person may not be the solution for all. Therefore, I'm going to answer this question from my own personal experience.

The short answer is that it doesn't happen instantly. That's good and bad news because just as one day of eating poorly isn't going to derail your weight loss goals, neither will one day of excessive activity make a noticeable difference either. The body ultimately takes an average of my calories in & calories out over a period of time. I notice a lag time of about a week.

That being said, we all notice weight fluctuations on the scale that can happen instantly. Those weight fluctuations are typically water & waste; not fat. Scale weight is very deceiving because it doesn't accurately reflect our intention for losing weight. In actuality we want to lose fat & the scale doesn't accurately reflect that. Our scale weight is determined by fat and lean mass. Lean mass is typically defined as muscles, but also organs, bones, water and waste (stuff in our stomachs & bowels). One pint (two cups) of water weighs 1 lb. There are a number of factors that determine how much water the body is holding: hormones, carbohydrate levels, lean mass, and sodium levels.

hormones - most women experience bloating and weight fluctuations at different times of their cycles by no fault of their own. At this time in the menstrual cycle, the hormone levels in a woman's body are high, which causes gas and stool to move more slowly through the intestinal tract.
carbohydrates - when we eat carbohydrates, the carbohydrates are broken down & stored in our muscles and liver in the form of glycol. Each molecule of glycol stores four water molecules along with it.
lean mass - muscle is comprised of ~75% water, where fat will hold ~25%. Additionally, the more lean mass you have, the more glycol your body can store.
sodium levels - when your electrolytes are out of balance (typically through consuming too much sodium), your body will retain water until they are back in balance.

Okay - so now you can see why folks who are on low carbohydrate diets will see quick fluctuations in their weight: because as they deplete the glycol in their muscles by not eating carbohydrates, their muscles are also shedding water. Then, if s/he eats a large amount of carbohydrates s/he will see a weight gain because where their muscles were depleted of glycol before, they are now replenished & the water is added too. Therefore, the more muscle you have, the more glycol and water you can store.
So, let's say it's a holiday & you've eaten foods that you haven't been eating in a while. The next day, when you weigh yourself, you'll notice a huge gain in weight. Typically those foods that we eat in social gatherings are high in sodium, carbohydrates and low in fiber. Since fiber helps food move through our digestive tract, we have the physical weight of the food in our bodies, and the retained water from over-indulging on carbohydrates, and sodium.
Even if you overate for your calorie level for that day, if you're in a calorie deficit or equality for the week, the over eating should not show up on the scale long term (as fat). You will notice that the scale will go up immediately, but fear not. Resume your normal eating and exercise routine & all of that water weight will fall off again.

.Without getting scientific, because I'm not that smart , I'll just share how it goes for me.

If I overeat for a period of days, (or even just one day), that's extra food weight in my body, so the scale is gonna reflect a higher weight.

That's not to say it's ALL fat gain. If you only eat 1,750 calories over maintenance (=1/2 pound gain), the scale might show an extra 3 pounds. Only after digesting everything completely will the real gain show up. It takes anywhere from a few days to a week for me, depending on how much I ate in how many days. If it's gradual, like an extra 250 everyday, the results are pretty much immediate. But if I overeat in 1 or 2 days, the food weight will mask the gain until things are digested.

And for what it's worth, I don't weigh myself for at least a week, if not two, after I've come home from vacation."

Source : http://happytexans.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-long-before-calorie-surplus-shows.html

My personal experience : Sonam Bulchandani
It takes me 2 weeks to show the real gain if i have been binging on and off , eating complex carbs at nite . I will suddenly show 3 kilos up.its scary . I think its the same with weight loss if you work hard consistently you see the weight loss but the real shape and the drop in dress sizes after 6 weeks .My husband calls it the magic week...
Share with us your experience of how long it takes to show the weigth gain !!! so you can be careful this wedding season.
cheers
excited to be alive
Khushi and Prahlladh
www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

Ultra Runner giving her experience in running and Training

2011-11-06T00:56:00.000-07:00

Ultra Runner giving her experience in running ans Training

My Experience with Running and Training.

By Neera Katwal in RunnerGirlsIndia ·

First let me introduce myself and write a few words about my background. I am a 35 year old, single woman who started running longer distances (above 5K) only two and half years ago after moving to Bangalore. I have always had an active lifestyle which has formed a good foundation for my current running. As a kid I used to run around climbing trees and playing all kinds of games with neighborhood kids, I used to cycle to school, used to participate in school track & field events, during my college days I used to swim , and during my PhD, I learnt Karate and dance.
After moving to Bangalore, the first race that I participated in was ‘Sunfeast 10K’ which I finished in 59 minutes. I joined ‘Nike run club’ where I met a few hard core runners who introduced me to ‘Runners for life’ (RFL) which is where all the serious runners were. I started running in the fortnightly runs organized by RFL and made a lot of friends, with whom I later started running in the weekends. In the meanwhile I also changed careers, and trained to be a fitness and Yoga instructor. So, my weekdays went in Aerobics, body conditioning and Yoga and my weekends went in running with runner friends.

From my interactions with and observation of some good runners, I picked up tips and followed them. I read articles from ‘Runners World’ and other running magazines and incorporated whatever I could. Though I am not yet a serious runner who follows a training plan, there are certain things that I do right which have helped me consistently improve my running form and my timings. Here are some of them:

1. I take care of my nutrition and calorie intake.
I cook my meals no matter how tired I am and avoid eating out. Even on days when I eat Maggie (which is rarely) I choose the multi grain pack and put a lot of veggies in it. I make sure that my meals are well balanced with all the nutrients in them. Greens, eggs, milk and curds are some things that I can’t go without. My regular supplements are ‘Maltova’ with breakfast milk and a small handful of nuts after workout. But when there are races close together then I go on a multi-vitamin course for my body to withstand additional stress. I never get to a point where I am very hungry as it leads you to grab the first thing in sight. It also leads to craving for high calorie snacks. My meals have enough complex carbs and fibre to keep me full for long and avoid such cravings. I always eat in time, eat an early dinner and never skip meals. Eating at the same time every day helps the body get into a regular pattern making it more predictable and helping it set a faster metabolism.
My advice to runner girls: Choose wisely what you eat. Remember that as a runner you don’t want to run with excess baggage. Excess body weight not only slows you down but also causes wear and tear of your knee and ankle joints. Learn about calorie and nutrient content in stuff you eat and choose calories in relation to how many you will be burning/or have burnt in your training. Stay away from junk calories. They will, no doubt fuel your run but won’t give you nutrients that heal your body or repair and build it for better performance.

2. Rest is very important to me and I never run/race when tired.
Some of my runner friends are surprised at how I manage to improve my race timings in spite of my low run mileage. Sometimes I don’t run for a whole week and just go for a race. I attribute my time improvements to running with a pair of fresh legs every time. I don’t even train with tired legs or a tired body (& mind), because I believe such training won’t be optimal and won’t lead to any improvements. Instead, I cross train during those periods. If my legs are tired, I work my abs and upper body. I give enough time for a particular muscle group to heal and build itself stronger. After races I rest well and start running only when my body feels comfortable. I am fine tuned to my body and that’s why it listens to my mind during races.   I believe the mind and body will work in sync only if you have been respecting the body, listening to it and treating it right all along. Feed the body right, rest it well, let it heal and it will reward you with good performance.
My advice to runner girls: Don’t feel pressurized to run long miles just because everyone around you is doing it. Listen to your body and train according to its pace.

3. At the first sign of injury or strain I take a break
I have been relatively injury free in my (almost) 3 years of running. Firstly, because I have built up strength and mileage slowly but more importantly, because I have stopped and rested at the first sign of injury which has always helped me bounce back very fast. Once when I accidently twisted my knee leading to IT band pain during long runs, I restricted my runs to 5K and ran less frequently. I withdrew my ‘Ultra’ race registration (though I knew I could have managed to run the race and won a prize too but at the cost of doing long term damage). Instead I focused on Yoga for those 2 months.
I took two years, many 10Ks and half marathons to graduate to my first full marathon as I believed finishing strong was more important than making the body struggle to the finish. I have seen many friends who have moved to longer and longer distances very quickly and have ended with injuries that have put them out of running for more than a year and they have never regained their original form.
My advice to runner girls: Don’t ignore your body aches, pains and niggles. Find out the root cause, treat it first and then get back to running if you want to run strong and happy for a longer time in life. Running will always be there when you get back. If you are afraid of losing your strength, form or stamina, do workouts that use other muscles. Swimming, Cycling, Yoga are good examples. Also build up distances slowly building up to Ultra otherwise you would be doing your body more long term harm than you think.

4. I run intuitively but also follow advice when I may not have the experience
Since I am more- or- less tuned to my body, I find that running intuitively has helped me so far. I still don’t train with a Garmin, and am not obsessed with statistics such as number of miles, pace, elevation, heart rate etc. I feel that sometimes too much information about how much you can or should perform, creates an artificial barrier in your mind and doesn’t let you explore what you are actually capable of. However I also believe intuition supports you only when you have some prior experience. When I ran my first full marathon, I would have naturally loved to run the first half much faster than I did. But with no prior experience to fall back on, I ‘reluctantly’ followed the advice of seasoned runners and believed them when they said that I would not succeed in a sub 4 hour marathon if I kept a faster pace in the beginning. I will probably get a Garmin only when I have peaked and find no increments in my performance no matter how hard I try.
My advice to runner girls: Run intuitively. Don’t believe that you are capable of running only at a certain pace and doing a certain time only. Train harder, run harder and break the barrier. Improvements will keep happening if you run with a mind that’s free of preconceived ideas.

5. I am open and receptive to advice, I try to break old habits and incorporate new ones.
I observe good runners, ask them for advice and incorporate it into my running or lifestyle. At the beginning of my running many people gave me feedback on my gait, body posture, arm movements, foot strike, pace, breathing etc while running/racing and I gladly corrected these, moving towards more efficient running. Some patterns were difficult to break but being consistently conscious of them and persistent in trying to correct them ultimately set them right.
My advice to runner girls:  We are all set into established patterns. It is difficult and is out of our comfort zone to break old patterns and form new ones, but always be open to change. It’s never too late to correct a faulty pattern (such as swinging your shoulders too much, running with a hunch back/ chest out, breathing through the nose, dragging your feet, etc). Start now and be at it until you correct it. It will improve your running immensely. Observe, interact with good runners and keep learning from them.

6. I do different physical activities, I cross train
I enjoy cycling which works the inner thighs, the outer thighs, glutes (and the quads) which aren’t worked much while running. But once strong, these muscles help immensely in running. Cycling also gives a break to my ankles, knees and calves after hard running. I find Aerobics, step aerobics and dance fun to do and they have helped build my ankle strength and flexibility with foot falls in different directions. Like many others, I used to hate stretching, but after learning its importance in run performance, I slowly started yoga and started doing (dynamic) stretching before my runs and (static) stretching after my runs. I now find that my pace has improved, my strike has a spring to it, I can sprint better to the finish line, and I recover faster.
My advice to runner girls: Too much running not only becomes monotonous but works the same muscles in the same way, making them tight and imbalanced. Try cycling, it is fun. You will love the speed, the feel of wind against your face and the fast changing scenery. If you are afraid of the traffic, get out for a spin early in the morning. Swimming is recommended by all coaches after hard running as it relaxes the muscles and helps you recover faster. Aerobics and Zumba are fun!

7. I run with men, try to run with different groups and at times with faster runners
I have different groups of runner friends. Some are hard core, thoroughly disciplined race-oriented runners, who are very serious with their training and performance; some are fanatic about long distances, some beginners and some just for fun-runners. Then there are my cyclist friends. Being with different groups not only gives me different perspectives to running but also benefits my running. Hanging around with disciplined racers before the race helps me do the right things for my own race. Running with a chatty and interesting bunch of runners makes my longer distances endurable; running with just- for- fun and beginner runners helps me stay grounded and serves as a reality check to my priorities. Also their encouragement and appreciation of my efforts is a feel good factor. Though most of my runs with the group are a social thing and are at a comfortable pace, I sometimes run with faster/leading runners in a long run or in a big group. Running with faster runners then automatically sets a faster pace even when running alone.
My advice to runner girls: As women we generally seek company and get comfortable with the (same) group of like-minded women. Also women generally like to collaborate than compete. That’s why it is important to hang out with men who are more competitive by nature and try to outdo each other’s times. Being around them, you also tend to demand more out of yourself and improve in that process. It’s nice to be supportive, caring, and holding back for weaker friends at times , but it is also important to be aggressive, competitive, tough, challenging yourself and others, raising the bar higher collectively for all women rather than staying in a comfort zone collectively believing this is what we are capable of. Also from men we learn not get too serious or emotionally involved with others, or indulge in petty gossip and politics that interferes with our running.

Hope what I have shared above is of use to my runner friends out there. I wish you a happy & strong running and competing. All the best.
source: Runners Girls : By Neera Katwal
Its amazing to learn from people : thx neera !

share with us : your training experience as we all have something new to offerr ... share your personal running experience and training !
Excited to be Alive
Khushi and Prahlladh
www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

Running Makes Buisness Sense ??? : Economic Times : 4th November 2011

2011-11-06T00:43:00.000-07:00

Running Makes Buisness Sense : Economic Times : 4th November 2011

Big Branding Opportunities for Companies

As amateur runners in cities such as Bangalore flock together by the thousands,branding opportunities are emerging for companies.
Ask Arvind Bharathi of The Fuller Life,who heads their division Runners for Life a community of runners in Bangalore.

From just 250 runners six years ago,the community is now 10,000 strong.Our flagship events Kaveri Trail Marathon in Mysore,the Ultra (50K) and the Urban Stampede (corporate 4X5 K relay),both in Bangalore now attract over 85 companies, says Bharathi.

Auto major Toyota is the most visible corporate in Bangalores many longdistance running events.It sends many teams to the Urban Stampede and also sponsors some of its executives to run in marathon events overseas.Many top executives in Toyota India are keen runners.Other companies such as Shell,Nokia,Siemens and JDA Software are also active.

Reliance Trends,under its Performax brand name,is emerging a big sponsor as are Asics Shoes and Wipro.
The IT biggie has announced sponsorship of the San Francisco Marathon.
The Runners for Life community organises several events such as Feet on the Street a monthly 5-km run and also fortnightly runs in the city.

Expectedly,big sports brands are also helping create such communities.Nike and Reebok have started clubs to train people for long-distance runs.Nikes run clubs in Bangalore and Mumbai have over 12,000 members.
Our run clubs inculcate the habit of running among consumers, says Sanjay Gangopadhyay,marketing director,Nike India.The brand is also associated with the World 10K in Bangalore,which is the annual running event in the city.
Similarly,the Reebok Running Squad grooms participants registering for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon.They also invite corporates to send employees for marathon training to help them build stamina,and advise on nutrition and overall physical training.
Many high-profile marathons,which also offer a platform for big-ticket branding,are already quite popular.Procam International promotes three long-distance events in India The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon,the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon and the TCS World 10K Bangalore.

The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon,which started in 2004,is Asias largest and richest,ranked among the worlds top 10.Says Sreeram Iyer,regional chief operating officer,India and South Asia,Standard Chartered: It (the Mumbai marathon) has spurred a new mindset for fitness among millions,regardless of their background.

Running is the mother of all exercises and a simple activity at its core.A decent pair of running shoes,a training programme off the Internet and you are on your way, says Vivek B Singh,joint MD of Procam.In todays stressful and challenging environment,it is the perfect antidote to keep you fit physically and mentally.

I started running only after coming back to India because I could not find people to play football with,and had no access to tennis and badminton,unlike in the US where I played regularly, says Jagannath Raju,a Bangalorebased IT entrepreneur,who returned to India a few years ago.Today,he is one of Bangalores most enthusiastic and experienced runners having explored many new trails around the city.For Vinod Kaul,the former executive director of the Fashion Design Council of India,running started with a health incentive,but the mind aspect took over later.

Long-distance running includes challenging oneself to the limit and rediscovering what one is capable of.It also works within a very supportive and powerful running community, says 60-year-old Kaul,who participates in many Running & Living events,including the Gurgaon Marathon and the Shimla Half Marathon.Kaul confesses to becoming uncomfortable if he doesnt run for a few days.Another Forrest Gump in the making.....!!!!

source : http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=21&edlabel=ETD&mydateHid=4-11-2011&pubname=Economic Times - Delhi - Front Page&edname=&articleid=Ar02102&publabel=ET

suddenly we as runners have started becoming lucrative customers ....:) good news !!!!!!

at the end of it all !!! the joy of running is still pure and thats why we have so many people joining this community !!!!!
cheers to all the runners!!

Excited to be Alive
Khushi and Prahlladh
www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

TRX Suspension Training Now @ www.1on1fitnessholidays.com , Kodaikanal

2011-10-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

TRX Now @ www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

Whats is TRX Suspension Training

A resistance training regime where workouts are done with the body suspended. Here, either the legs or the upper body are kept off the floor.

How it works
With the help of a pair of straps with buckles, this full body workout uses your own body weight to burn calories. . When your body is in a suspended position, your stability and mobility are challenged the most and your core muscles are active all the time, .

How it helps
1. It strengthens the core and sculpts the body
2. It enhances your body balance and stability
3. It increases your joint flexibility and tendon strength
4 .Its used only your body weight.
5 the level of tuffiness of the exercises depends only the the form .

its fabulous for workouts like Abs , chest press , lunges , squats , jump squats , pull ups ,plank , pushups and lot of core training exercises .

It can be used indoor or outdoor .... its really the best toning device ever.

Some pictures of TRX @ www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

1ON1 Fitness Holiday: A former fat girl reinvents herself one mile at a ...

2011-10-19T23:01:00.000-07:00

1ON1 Fitness Holiday: A former fat girl reinvents herself one mile at a ...: A former fat girl reinvents herself one mile at a time. Shedding the Past Image by Jonathan Bartlett By Lisa Delaney From the May 2009 i...

A former fat girl reinvents herself one mile at a time.... Running !!!!

2011-10-19T22:19:00.000-07:00

A former fat girl reinvents herself one mile at a time.
Shedding the Past
Image by Jonathan Bartlett
By Lisa Delaney
From the May 2009 issue of Runner's World

I felt no pain as I rounded the corner onto Columbus Circle, not far from the finish line of theNew York City Marathon, my first 26.2-miler. It didn't have anything to do with the gel I'd taken earlier. It was the sound of my name echoing through the streets that made me forget the cramp in my left hamstring. This must be what it feels like to be a rock star making her debut at Madison Square Garden after struggling for years on the club circuit, I thought. I have arrived.

Of course, all runners who crossed the line that afternoon many years ago heard the race announcer call out their names. I wasn't anything special. Or was I?

Five years earlier, I had been 70 pounds overweight when I first stepped onto a dusty, quarter-mile cinder track in Austin, Texas, looking for a way to shed the powerlessness that I'd felt most of my life. At that time, I was the girl who ate until my stomach hurt, who pilfered cookies from the pantry by stuffing them up my sleeve, who never turned down a second helping. I was stuck with a poor self-image and was settling—for a "big-boned" body, for jobs I could do in my sleep, for being the passive partner in my relationships.

That night, on the track, I felt like an intruder. At 5'4" and 185 pounds, I thought I didn't belong. I took comfort in the darkness and decided to start with one lap. This was an exploratory mission, after all. I coached myself to take it easy. As I rounded the final turn, I took inventory: Nothing broken, nothing burst, heartbeat steady (relatively). So I tried another. And another.

I ended up running four laps. That's a mere mile—nothing to a real runner. But for me, it was like crossing four finish lines. Each lap was a cause for celebration, a reason to believe that, maybe, I can. Until then, losing weight had always been about "I can't." I can't have that piece of cake. I can't eat another Girl Scout cookie. But running was already showing me that I could set goals and achieve them. It was one big Yes.

I decided not to worry about my diet at first and just focus on running. I hit the track every night, adding a lap or so a week until I was up to five miles. Within a year, I dropped from a size 16 to an eight. I quit a dead-end job, went for the job I'd always wanted, and practiced saying no to other people and yes to myself. Eventually, I got down to 115 pounds, where I've stayed for about 20 years.

Running has transformed me, inside and out. It's as much a part of my identity as being a writer, or a mother, or a wife—maybe even more, because I truly don't know if I'd be any of those things if I hadn't toughed out that first mile. I still experience those rock-star moments, every time I make it through a 5 a. m. six-miler when I'd rather be in bed, or finish a hard set of intervals on the treadmill at the Y. There may be no cheering crowds, no medals, no booming baritone announcement. But the finish-line feeling lives on, in my head and in my heart.

Lisa Delaney, the author of Secrets of a Former Fat Girl, blogs at formerfatgirl.com.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love this article for me it has been the same transition ... from treadmill running to now running in the hills ( Kodaikanal) its amazing .... and i love it right from the first mile where i was breath less to today where i can complete a half marathon comfortably ...its amazing ....

so if you havent started running ... start today : take your first mile !!!!!!

Running is a dream ..... its amazing !!!

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297--13107-0,00.html#.TpWMg3x3o_o.facebook :

Kaveri Trail Marathon :2011 : Review

2011-09-18T19:54:00.000-07:00

Kaveri Trail Marathon 2011 , Srirangapatnam , Mysore , India

This marathon for me was a dreammmmmmmmmmmm come true !!!!! we have been training for 6 months for this marathon and trust me it was worth every single bit of it !!!

Fabulous trail : its muddy , its greeeeeennnnnn , beautiful birds around you and a loverly river flowing besides you , just every single element to keep you calm , focussed and going ...... but ofcourse if you stare to much at any of these elements in awe your sure to tumble on a rock or twist your ankle !!!!! Dangerous !!!!!!!

lOVED IT !!!! and with such a lovely trail : comes along the superb management by the "runners for life team" THEY WERE FABULOUS .... right from aid stations to water stations to starting on time , shuttle to and fro from the race point , particpation medals , brunch after the race , clean toilets to change in just awesome .

Every volunteer there just wanted to make your RUN better ..... , even when he poured you a glass of water he/ she was doing it with a smile ... they were fabulous !!!

Then the runners OH MY GOD ..... i think we all were tripping on some Adreline .... crazyyyyyyyyyyyy . In fact the first 10 km every one is too focussed on understanding the trail blah blah and after 10 km when the endorphin creeps in .... everyone is smiling , cheering the other , thumbs up , hi fis .... man i felt like i met a whole new community of like minded people ... there was suddenly love in the air ... kindness ... to me it didnt feel like a race but a meditation hour ... where everyone is focussed but kind .... lovely ....

the only thing that was an issue by the end of 15 kms were the runners who gave up mainly the 10 kms runners i guess.... were so carelessly walking rather strolling in the middle of the trail ... where you have other runners struggling to motivate themselves for another x kms ... and there you have runners enjoying peanut butter sandwhiches and walking in the middle of the trail with no consideration to even move on the side for the other runners .... who have a goal , a timing that they have been practicing for.

I know there are many uncontrollable factors in a marathon .... i dont blame "the runners of life" team at all but yes i think youll should have a briefing with the all the runners about the importance to think about the the other while running. ITS OK TO WALK BUT NOT BLOCK THE OTHERS NOT EVEN MOVE WHENT THEY ARE RUNNING ..

Otherwise .... I LOVED EVERY SINGLE BIT OF THE MARATHON ... AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Our timings where :

Khushi : 2 hrs : 22mins : AvG hEART rate : 171

Prahlladh : 2 hrs : Avg Heart Rate : 170

Now our plans ahead are :

21km - pondicherry - feb - trail marathon

42km - 2 marathons next year

then the Bangalore Ultra : 100 km ohhh ahhh !!!

Now 1ON1 is on its mission ... 100 km or nothing .... Keep running !!!! and build those endurance levels .... kill it !!!!!

The joy of running is unmatchable ... it really gets the human mind in touch with its limitless capacities ....

Thankyou to the KTM team ... Youlll are amazing !!!!

I must say you ll do keep up to your Tag Line : "One Life Do More "

Excited to be Alive !!!

Khushi and Prahlladh Bulchandani

www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

1ON1 Fitness Boot Camp results after 8 weeks

2011-09-01T22:48:00.000-07:00

Hi all 1ON1 Fitness holidays completes one more client succesfully and here are the complete details of her weight loss over 8 weeks with us :)

Name: Priyanka lulla

Age : 23

Period : 8 weeks ( July , August 2011 )

Weight Loss : 8.4 kgs

Body Fat % : 9.2%

Total Loss in Inches

Upper Waist 5”

Lower Waist 6”

Hips 3.5”

Thigh 1”

Calf 0.8”

Weight loss:

Starting Weight: 62.7 Kgs

Weight Loss Progress in kgs

Week 1 61.9

Week 2 61.4

Week 3 60.8

Week 4 59.1

Week 5 58.3

Week 6 57.5

Week 7 55.7

Week 8 54.3

Total Weight Loss : 8.4

Yippee !!!! We are proud of her and hope she loses her last 4 kilos soon , keep following the program and your not too far from your ideal body .

Body Fat %:

Starting Body Fat %: 34.2

Weeks Body Fat in %

Week 1 34.3

Week 2 33.3

Week 3 31

Week 4 30.5

Week 5 30.3

Week 6 28.7

Week 7 26.7

Week 8 25

Total Fat % Lost : 9.2

*Average body fat % one normally looses in a month is around 1%, you have been successful in losing 9.2% in two months which is excellent keep up the progress don’t gain it back.

Calories loss Per Week

Weeks

Calories loss Per Week

Week 1 7837

Week 2 6783

Week 3 9584

Week 4 6990

Week 5 13097

Week 6 12080

Week 7 11117

Week 8 11560

Weight Loss : The above table with the calories loss per week indicates clearly that the weeks she has burnt higher calories and thus lost more weight . The first month she lost 3.6 kgs as the calories per week were very less compare to the second month where she has burnt double the calories per week and also lost double the amount of weight 5.4 kgs.

Every workout at 1ON1 is measured with the polar heart rate monitor and we believe workouts without a monitor can hardly result into optimum results.

Also we are proud to say that when she came in you used to be very tired working out for 2 hours a day now she is capable of working out for more than 4 hours , her stamina , core strength and fitness has increased substantially.

Diet : Priyanka has been extremely successful in staying away from fatty foods as well she has been eating every 2 hours and also one cheat meal a week. Her diet here also included 5 detox days every week with liquids and fruits ( buttermilk , water , fruits) it helps the weight loss and also cleanses your system weekly. We have given a diet for a month so she can continue the same back home. Additionally she also learnt a lot of healthy cooking recipes from our chef.

Lifestyle : Praying has been away from all vices (drinking , smoking) for the last 8 weeks . Its superb . Remember workout highs are much better than any of the vices . Keep the exercise going and you will keep all the vices away !

Stamina : Her capacity for endurance has increased and now from 4 Kms she can do 14 Km s (I know its not easy). Exercise should always be a challenge - if its easy means you need to push harder.

Yoga : She has mastered Sivananda yoga postures and can practice them on her own back home.

Priya was a superb client keeping in mind her medical limitations thyroid as well as weak shoulder and neck. It was a challenge for us too as we had to keep her thyroid under check at all times as well as arrange Ayurvedic massages every week to cure her neck and shoulder pains. Priya was present for all workout sessions all through other than the days she was in pain .

We are proud of her and hope she keeps up the weight loss and the fit lifestyle once she is back home .

We love her totally and had the time of life together .

Cheers !

Excited to be Alive

Khushi and prahlladh Bulchandani

www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

Whey Protein and Weight Loss ???

2011-08-13T19:21:00.000-07:00

Hi All

We at 1ON1 believe in a high protein diet . Being Eggtarians are supply of protein from natural foods is limited and thus we do have a minimum of 3 shakes a day .

For our clients we start with 1 shake a day and gradually move them to 3 shakes a day for girls and the guys who are on a body budiling program it goes upto 6 shakes a day.

Why do we insist on Whey Protein for weight loss and body building both ?

Whey protein assists fat loss in does in a number of different ways.

1) Your body will burn more calories after taking a protein-based meal. More energy is required by the body to breakdown proteins.

2) Appetite suppressing hormones, such as glucagon-like-peptide-1 and cholecystokinin are released by bioactive components of whey protein.

3) By taking a whey protein shake in between your main meals, your appetite and urge to snack is reduced by the release of these hormones.

4) After controlled studies that determined whey protein was conclusive in preventing gains in body weight. Other studies have found that “Whey Protein is the best protein for fat loss during energy restricted diets, when combined with exercise.”

5) whey protein delays absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. This delays the release of insulin from the pancreas. While a benefit for diabetics, this also allows the body to burn off more fat and so is of advantage in terms of weight management too.

6) Whey protein has high amounts of the amino acid leucine, so while it can help weight loss, whey protein prevents loss of lean muscle tissue. This will help with accompanying exercise to build muscle and show off definition.

7) The body requires as protein as much as your body weight i.e : weight : 60 kgs you need 60 gms of protein intake in your body and this is extremely tough to recieve only through eggs ( 2.2 gms ) , meat ( protein + fat ) Whey protein is 100 % protein 1 Shake : (22 to 25 gms of protein) thus is required in our body today for weight loss as well as to have the lean body we all desire.

Side Effects :

Every Shake of Whey Protein needs to be supplemented with 7 glasses of water . If not it has adverse effects on the body .

Can affect the Kidney as it is very hard on the body to digest . Also you will incur a lot of gas / constipation the only solution is Water . If you drink enough water you should have absolutely no problem .

We at 1ON1 Fitness Holidays have been taking Whey Protein and are extremely happy with the results .

Give us your feedback on Whey Protein : or any other supplements you have been taking

feel free to ask us any queries

cheers!

Excited to be Alive

Khushi and Prahlladh Bulchandani

www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

Fat burner : What the hell do they do ???

2011-08-09T05:32:00.000-07:00

Remember when we used to be thin? When we didn't have computers and video games and remote controls for our televisions? Me neither, but I know that time did exist and I even lived through it. New technology has made our lives so easy that we rarely have to lift a finger to get things done. All this technology is fabulous but, you know what? It's totally making us fat. As a result, many of you are searching for that magic solution, the most popular one being fat burners. Before you go that route, there are a few things you need to know.

What Are Fat Burners?

Fat burners are essentially pills which contain certain herbal ingredients such as Ephedra, HCA, Chitosan and Pyruvate, all of which claim to either increase energy, stimulate your metabolism and/or suppress your appetite.( my experience : Yes it does it wires you up your pumped up with energy 5 times more of what you normally have and thats because it contains tremendous amount of caffine as good as 3 expressos)

Do Fat Burners Work?

It's hard to say. Try to find a conclusive study about just about any dietary supplement, including so-called fat burners, and you're in for a long day. What we do know is that most supplements need further study and, more importantly, the purity of supplements is definitely suspect. Supplements aren't standardized so you don't know if what's listed on the bottle is what you're getting. Plus, no one knows what the long-term effects of these supplements are and, even scarier, how they interact with other medications. So, to answer the question of whether fat burners work, I have to say...uh, I don't know.

The Dirt on Fat Burners

Contains Substances derived from the external skeletons of marine animals, such as crabs (ew!)(Specifically Chitosan : see your ingredient list behind the fat burner bottle if it has chitosan then it is made of the external skeltons of marine animals)
Ehpedra another essential ingredient in most Fat burners like The Original Formula One, Ripped Fuel, Muscletech's Hydroxycut. Side Effects : Since 1994 the FDA has received more than 800 reports of adverse effects associated with products containing Ephedra. These include: high blood pressure, irregular heart rate, nervousness, insomnia, headaches, heart attacks, seizures, strokes and death. What's scary is that many of these problems occurred in young/middle aged, healthy adults who used it for weight loss. The problem often stems from mixing ephedrine with caffeine, a big no-no
HCA (Hydroxycitrate): A natural food substance extracted from the fruit of the Garcina cambogia tree grown in southern India.HCA supposedly curbs appetite and increases glycogen storage without affecting muscle or energy levels.Found in products like No-Diet Diet, Bio-Max 3000, MicroSlim, and Body Busters (among others) : Reviews : Should Not unless you enjoy wasting your money. According to a study published in The Medical Journal of Australia, HCA is ineffective for weight loss.
Affects Menstural Cycle : Either delays it , then too light , irregular basically screws up your utreus please do enough research before popping any fat burners.
While your having it : you will experience nausea , blood rush , sweating , shivering and others.
Not recommended for clients who have thyroid , blood pressure or pregnant or nursing ,. Please consult your physcian before taking any of these burners.
Fatburners are not for fat people its a myth , it is only for healthy individuals. Any one over weigjt by 10 kgs should not be having fat burners.
Fat burners do not work by just popping them they give you extra energy to workout more than your normal capacities and thus losing weight / gaining muscle so it needs to be supplemented with a good workouts and a proper diet of small meals every 2 hours.

The only time a fat burner is recommeded is before an 80 mile run , Marathon , basically where you need lot of more extra power for a particular event.

Conclusion

As you can see, the research on fat burners is sketchy at best. No one can say with any certainty that fat burners work or if they are safe to take over a long period of time. What is a proven method of weight loss is exercise coupled with a healthy, low-calorie diet. There are no shortcuts! Instead of wasting your money on something that may not work or harm your health, why not go with what you know will work?

if its so hard to get it into your life see you at 1ON1 : www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

1ON1 Launches GOLF Fitness Holidays , Kodaikanal

2011-08-09T04:55:00.000-07:00

Golf Fitness Holidays

1ON1 Fitness Holidays starts a specialize category for Golfers .

1ON1 is located right next to a Kodaikanal Golf club , a 100 acres Golf Course with 18 holes . It is one of the largest organic courses in the world. For more details on the Golf Course : (www.Kodaigolf.com)

We are members of the Golf club . We would like to invite golfers from all over the world to enjoy their favorite game , in Kodaikanal along with Cardio , Golf fitness training , yoga , accommodation and the right diet.

To know more about the Fitness Programs : www.1on1fitnessstudio.com/fitness.htmlZ

To know more about the Diet : http://www.1on1fitnessstudio.com/diet.html

You will be staying 1 minute away from the Club , Morning You will be going for a cardio session with our trainers , followed by personal training session at 11.00 am , post lunch at 2.00 pm you can leave for your game till 5.30 pm . You will end the day with yoga which is to stretch and relax your body.

This is a sample day. the schedule will be customized to your goals and expectations from 1ON1.

The rates for this program are available at : http://www.1on1fitnessstudio.com/rates.html

Additional to the fitness program rates you will have to pay for a “Temporary Membership” / Month : Rs 3000 + Rs 50 daily as club usage charge + 200 /day for a caddy .

The sum total is Rs 10,500 for a month to play in this Golf Course.

You will have to get your golf equipment ( Golf clubs etc )

If you need a coach to improve your game we can arrange the same . The charges for a coach are based on the number of hours of coaching required.

This is a dream for some one who loves golfing along with the right fitness lifestyle. Come play Golf in the Woods !!! Kodaikanal truly is paradiso !

Welcome to 1ON1 Fitness Holidays !

www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

1 month Weight lOSS Results of Rohit , Twinkle and Priyanka .(Our First 3 Clients )

2011-08-09T04:53:00.001-07:00

1 month Weight lOSS Results of Rohit , Twinkle and Priyanka .(Our First 3 Clients )

1 Month Completed @ 1on1fitnessholidays.com

Our first 3 clients complete a full month at 1ON1 Fitness Boot Camp the results are

Twinkle Talreja :

Weight Loss : 5.5 Kgs

Body Fat %: 2.8 %

Inch Wise 3 inches each on the waist . hip and thigh

Celebration !!! Twinkle Talreja when joined 1ON1 last month had several weight loss barriers in her mind as she had reached a plateau since the last year even though she was dieting , walking and doing yoga everyday. She complained of no weight loss since 1 year due to PCOD which is an extremely common hormonal issue in every 3rd women today.

With her hard work , our fitness plan and diet she has been successful in losing 5.5 kgs and 2.8 % body Fat which is excellent as on an average one can lose not more than ½ or 1 % Body Fat in a month.

Twinkle was extremely happy with her results as she broke the barrier she has in her mind that she will not loose weight irrespective of any fitness plan due to PCOD.

Along with weight loss , body fat and inches she also saw a large change in her lifestyle as she was now aware of what to eat , when to eat , what type of exercises , how much to exercise , at what heart rate to exercise , the right techniques to workout.

Twinkle left us yesterday with her workout plan , a diet to follow back home and a Polar Heart Rate Monitor to measure her daily calorie loss back home . As this is just the beginning of a new life !

We will definitely miss her , but we are very happy with her results and welcome her back anytime .

Client 2 : Priyanka Lulla

Weight Loss : 4 Kgs

Body Fat % : 4 %

Inch Wise : She has lost 3 inches on Lower , Upper waist and Hip.

Priyanka Lulla joined us 1 month back as she had put on a lot of weight in the last few months due to irregular eating habits as well as Thyroid she claimed. She is extremely happy as she has lost 4 kgs and moreover lost 4 % Body Fat which is excellent . As it clearly indicates that she has lost fat and not muscle.

Priyanka is extremely happy with her results but as she still is 10 kilos over weight she has decided to stay back for 1 more month with us and loose the next 4 kgs and feel the real difference. She has made up her mind to go back only with her dream body .

She loves living the clean life here , with fresh air and happy hormones all through the day !!!

She wants the discipline , the right lifestyle to become ingrained into her and thus believe she needs more time at 1ON1 Fitness.

This month we will be Video Blogging so watch priyanka live ! Lose her next 4 kgs or even more and learn a lot more about fitness every single day !

Client 3 : Rohit Yadav

Weight Loss : 5.8 kgs

Body Fat % : 8 % Fat

Inches : 5 “ on Lower Waist , 2.5” Hips , Chest 2 inches

Rohit Yadav has been one of our most dedicated passionate clients . He loves every workout, learns quickly and always pushes harder than the previous workout. He has his mind on the workout at all times. He is on a mission and has thus delivered the best results.

For Rohit the biggest achievement this month other than the weight loss has been no alcohol, no smoking , no clubbing , no binging. Healthy Food and a healthy lifestyle. This was a dream for him and today is a reality.

He looks back and is proud of himself and has decided to stay back for 1 more month. This month for him is about building his Muscle.

He started at 25% Body Fat and in 4 weeks has reach 16.5% which is commendable. This month his cardio will be reduced and he will be working on core stability and muscle building program.

We at 1ON1 are extremely proud of our clients . Our plan was only 4 kilos weight loss and 1-2 % Body Fat and they all have done a lot a lot more than that.

The aim of 1ON1 has been lifestyle change and we have been most successful at that.

We wish Twinkle All the best and hope that she continues the fitness plan , while our other two clients are going to be video blogged watch them Live !!!

To view all the photos of this month

Week 1

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150236037361601.312073.510361600&l=7a393be769&type=1

Week 2

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150240084746601.313281.510361600&l=2a39223ab5&type=1

Week 3

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150245010516601.314557.510361600&l=6ebeb695cd&type=1

Week 4 :

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150249474171601.315889.510361600&l=dfb63ddcee&type=1

Excited to be Alive

Khushi and Prahlladh Bulchandani

www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

Week 3 @ 1ON1 Fitness Holidays

2011-07-31T02:44:00.000-07:00

Week 3 , We are 21 day down and now we are full power , all three of them are now working out 4 hours a day instead of 3 hrs . As their bodies are now ready to do a lot more . The timetable is now more vigourous .

6.00 am : 8 km Running

10.00 am : Personal Training

4.00 pm: Core Stability and Ab Workshop /Sports

5.30 pm Yoga

With supplements and meals every 2 hours .

The results have been fabulous calories burned by each of them per day is given below.

Week 1 ,2, and 3 Calories per Week / per person

	Priyanka	Twinkle	Rohit
Kcalories/week	7373	8333	8510
Kcalories/week2	7473	8827	9539
Kcalories/week3	9151	10620	10279

Week 3 Calories Per day / Per Person

Average Calories Per day / Per Person

Weight Loss has been 3 kilos till now from the day 1 , inch wise they have lost substantially on waist and hips .

Now they have got used to waking up at 5.30 am and sleeping at 9.00 pm . As it is scientifically proved it takes 21 days to make a habit we have been successful in doing that.

They have now begun to understand how fitness is more a lifestyle than an added to do in our list ... it is something that can keep you naturally high without any vices.

Now we are in Week 4 of the boot camp and are slowly reaching the end of this month’s boot camp ... this week is the last week where we are trying to provide them with a lot more learning in this week that they can take back with them and continue working hard on their bodies. As this is a beginning to a lives journey into fitness.

They will be given a 1 month workout plan, a diet and thorough instructions in order to continue to achieve their fitness goals.

Cheers !!!

Excited to be alive

Prahlladh and Khushi Bulchandani

	Priyanka	Twinkle	Rohit
Day 1	1582	1374	1870
Day 2	1155	1675	410
Day3	1410	1463	1910
Day4	1400	1500	1880
Day5	1665	1565	2209
Day6	1439	1250	1600
Day7	500	500	400

Week 2 @ 1on1fitnessholidays.com

2011-07-30T23:42:00.000-07:00

Week 2 completed@ 1on1fitnessholidays

Weight Loss in total 2 kgs each of the clients.

This week included 3 days of running , 1 10 km Trek , TRX training , Circuit training , Personal training and Yoga sessions .

Week 2 : Total Kcalories burned

	Priyanka	Twinkle	Rohit
Kcalories/week	7373	8333	8510
Kcalories/week2	7473	8827	9539

This week average calories per day per person is 1200 + as compared to last week where the target was 1000 calories per day. Week 3 the average target is 1500 calories/day

Calorie loss per day week 2

* Day 7 : Free Day : Rest Day

	Priyanka	Twinkle	Rohit
Day 1	1200	1374	1300
Day 2	1250	1675	1775
Day3	1323	1463	1491
Day4	1300	1500	1847
Day5	1200	1565	1582
Day6	1200	1250	1544

The next week is going to be much tougher but we believe our clients are now ready for it . There are no more free days , one cheat meal of the week is now at home instead of outside. As the clients are now adjusted to a healthy diet and 6 small portions a day.

This week the running distances were 8, 9 and 10 km in which the clients did very well but did have knee pains as road running is hard on the knees and takes time to get used to. So for week 3 we have divided the runs into two times a day morning 5 km and evening 5 kms . Morning the runs are downhill as the bodies are cold and muscles are tight while in the evening we have uphill running as the body is warmed up after the morning cardio and personal training sessions.

Week 2 included body massages for all our clients in order to ease the body after 2 weeks of hardwork.

The other new development this week is the clients have chosen photos of their dream bodies from the internet and stuck it right in front of their bed so that it inspires them as well as keeps them motivated for the best fitness weeks of their lives.

We at 1ON1 believe you are what your thoughts are. All this while our focus was their physical abilities , posture correction and more or less getting used to the place , now we need their mind to be completely focussed on just one dream, on just one thought and we want to walk with them on every step of their dream.

Believe me every bit of this journey has been so good as Prahlladh and me love taking care of them and hand holding them to their dream bodies which we believe is your vehicle to higher consciousness.

Photos of Week 2 : On Facebook :

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150240084746601.313281.510361600&l=2a39223ab5&type=1

So stay healthy and Keep Smiling !!!

Join our Group : www.facebook.com/1on1fitnessholidays

Cheers

Excited to be Alive

Prahlladh and Khushi Bulchandani

www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

First Week of the 1ON1 Boot Camp , India Completed!!!

2011-07-09T23:40:00.000-07:00

Hi All

1ON1 Completes its first week with its first 3 clients ... 3 more weeks to go ....

We would like to share their progress with you :)

Progress Chart of Week 1

Calories per day(Kcalories)

	Priyanka	Twinkle	Rohit
Day 1	1100	1000	1150
Day 2	1557	2018	1800
Day3	1000	1200	1350
Day4	766	1026	1140
Day5	1150	1400	1700
Day6	1800	1242	1370

Calorie Progress /week total

Priyanka : 7373 Kcal

Rohit : 8510 Kcal

Twinkle : 7876 Kcal

* Measured by Polar Heart Rate Monitors .

The workout time : Minimum of 2-4 hrs

Each session is for 1:30 mins

The week includes a variety of fitness activities : Cardio / Training/ Yoga / Ab Workshop

Cardio Includes Running /Mountain Biking/ Trekking

Training : Weight Training/ TRX Workout

Ab Workshop includes half hour Spinning and Abs on the Swiss Ball

Yoga is to stretch the full Body after a hard day of workout.

At all times body pains / injuries / recovery times are given extreme importance .

Healthy diet : 6 small meals a day, along with Protein Supplements .

Weight Loss in 6 days : 1 Kilo Each

Distance /Heart Rate : Distance covered in a week : started from 3 km run now can complete 6 kms runs comfortably

Heart Rate : In the beginning of the week brisk walking lead to 170 today jogging at 6 leads to 165 (On the polar heart rate monitors)) . So we see a strong improvement in their fitness levels.

We believe weight loss takes 6 weeks to show , exactly like weight gain takes 4 weeks to show. If you eat a cake now your weight doesn’t increase but over a week of junk eating you will see the increase in weight one morning 5 kgs up its the same weight loss.

Also we see continuous improvement in posture , tight body and most importantly loving themselves and giving priority to their body which we believe is the vehicle to higher consciousness.

Additionally the city birds have had a great shift in their entire lifestyle from sleeping at 6.00 am and waking up 4.00 pm , today they all wake up at 5.45 am and lights out at 9.30 pm .Eat right and Live Right , Free from all vices including alcohol, smoking , coffee, tea , sugar , fried food and Noise .

Cheers

Keep Following their progress !!!

Excited to be Alive

Khushi and Prahlladh Bulchandani

www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

1ON1 Fitness Holidays First 3 clients are here for a month !!!

2011-07-02T23:26:00.000-07:00

Hey all
1ON1 Fitness Holidays First 3 clients are here for a month !!!

Let me give you demographic details of our three clients and their fitness goals.

Priyanka Lulla
Age : 22
City : Mumbai
Fitness Goal : Weight loss and to look hotter than ever.
She is a freelance event co-ordinator .
Current Weight : 62.7 Kgs
Body Fat % 34.2 %
Pic Below

pRIYANKA Lulla

The second client
Name : Rohit yadav
Age : 23
City : Delhi

rOHIT yADAV

Third Client

Name : Twinkle Talreja

Age 21

City : Coimbatore

Fitness Goal : Weight Loss

She has just completed graduation

Current Weight : 72 Kgs

Body Fat 35 %

Fitness Goal : Lean Ribbed Body and a clean lifestyle
He is a business man
Current Weight : 66.6 kgs
Body Fat % 34.6 %

So here are our first three clients who i must say have taken their first step to changing their lifestyle and making fitness an important part of their lifestyle .

So our first day was superb started of with a 4 km run to Pillar Rocks at 6.00 am .

Followed by 11.00 am Training where they were taught the basics of functional training the correct postures and the right way to train including breathing techniques , warm up , cool down and how to effectively use the heart rate monitors .

After the training session was healthy lunch rest period and then followed with a yoga session in the evening .

Ended the day with a lovely soup salad paratha and an episode of prison break together!!! super time

They lost a total of 1100 calories each in a day with rest / right eating ... cheers !!!

will keep you guys posted on the progress of our clients

Cheers
Khushi and Prahlladh
Excited to be Alive
1ON1 Fitness Holidays
www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

Launch of our website : www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

2011-06-11T23:47:00.001-07:00

Hi alll .............

Welcome to the launch of our dream project : 1ON1 Fitness Holidays , has its website up and running
www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

Check it out and give us your feedback...

Excited to be alive
Khushi Bulchandani
www.1on1fitnessholidays.com

Fitness Holiday Updates !

2011-05-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

Hi all ,

Kodi is right now at 15 degrees is fabulous .... misty mornings , sunny afternoons and cloudy evenings

flowers are blooming all over , yellow , pink , purple name it its beautiful .... i guess thats why they call it season ....

its beautiful ....

The new updates are ...

Our website is going on air on 24th May 2011 .... excited !!!! its been our dream project .... we would love your feedback on the same ...

Our construction work is over .... the fitness house is now up and ready

Our final menus are put up

Our trails are finalized

Our bikes are all perfect ...

In all we are fully ready for our first client in June 2011 ...

Wish us good luck

Love youll all ...

Cheers
Khushi and Prahlladh

1ON1 Fitness Holiday: Pankaj Chetan , or ex-client and friend in Kodi !!...

2011-05-14T22:52:00.000-07:00

1ON1 Fitness Holiday: Pankaj Chetan , or ex-client and friend in Kodi !!...: "Pankiii in Kodi !!!! So here with our close friend cum ex client ... in kodaikanal ... We cant resist but give everyone a taste of our l..."

Pankaj Chetan , or ex-client and friend in Kodi !!!

2011-05-14T22:51:00.000-07:00

Pankiii in Kodi !!!!

So here with our close friend cum ex client ... in kodaikanal ...

We cant resist but give everyone a taste of our life ... !!! an experience of 1ON1 Fitness Holiday !!!

So we insisted that he comes and stays with us at home we promised him the a bison view in the middle of the nite ...

luckily yes !!! we had our bison over we gave him a nice peek at the bison .. and next morning woke him up to some hot honey water ... got him all geared up for his first mountain bike ride ever ... and a cycling ride after 15 years !!!

so all ready we gave him a briefing on the gears and began our ride into the forest ...

a ride to remeber .... and you got to see his pictures for yourself !!!

we enjoyed every bit if the downhills and the went panting through the uphills ... and landed down to a pretty misty lake .. for a hot cup of ginger tea ...

it was superb to have him over ... and we would like all our clients to experience 1ON1 new move from fitness training to a lifestyle training !!!

see you guys soon in Kodi

Love
Prahlladh and Khushi

Our Chennai client in Kodi with us !!! ( Padam Dugar and family)

2011-04-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous day !!!! with out chennai 1ON1 Client , Padam Dugar.
He was here with his family for a mini vacation ... and were kind to call us and catch up !!!
We did meet , but we had to share a glimpse of our life with him .. as like most chennai 'ites who have seen the commercial / seasonal side of kodi need to see it from our eyes ...
so we took him for an early morning mountain bike ride.... his first time experience on a shcwinn ... was a quite a dream .. and then peace , quite forests , chirping birds , chaning gears ... uphill and then a super down hill ..... you got to hear it from him ... he looked spell bounded ...
Then like 1ON1 Fitness Holidays promise , you end your ride at a spot you cant dream of ... and thats where we took him ...

.......
that wasnt it .. we took his daughters for a misty trek in the mountains ..... and they were spell bounded too .. infact nikita ... add the photos pls.... i am so glad you all enjoyed it !!!
-----------
we realised one thing kodi is paradiso on ly if you see it from our glasses ... we were the right shades...
come and see kodi our way !
welcome to 1ON1 Fitness Holidays
( Where Fitness is Lifestyle , come live it !)

HIGH ALTITUDE ROWING !!!!! , Kodaikanal

2011-04-22T07:10:00.000-07:00

HIGH ALTITUDE ROWING !!!!!

Here it is a new sport .... and trust me its unbelieveable !!!!

Rowing ... from childhood we all go to hill stations , visit the lake atleast once and sit in motor boat / row boat ...

but this is Different !!!!

you row alone on your own .... its just fabulous !!!!

so Prahlladh and me have started training to row on our own an our aim is not row a wooden boat but a Skull ...

we have a fabulous rowing instructor who is passionate and loves every bit of his job !

so guys now 1ON1 Fitness holidays is also planning to partner with the high altitude rowing school ...

you could come here learn professional rowing as well get fit !!!

Imgine that !!

That too in kodi where every morning the lake has mist .. its green and its clean ... no crowds ... just u , the boat and nice ores !

See you there

Excited to be Alive !
Khushi and Prahlladh Bulchandani

5 Points to have a Super Healthy Happy Day !

2011-04-22T06:16:00.000-07:00

Hi and Welcome Back Folks@

Most of us have hard working days ... and from the time we wake up ... we have a TO-Do list ... to complete ... like it or not!!!!

so here are 5 quick points to have a healthy day !

Start your day with 10 minutes of silence ( calm quite watch your breath ... how the hell do you do that ??? ) simple just calm breath in and out ... watch ur stomach go up and down or just close your eyes and feel the air through your nostrils . just 10 minutes and see the difference in your day more concentrated .

secondly : climb the stairs ... i know you hate this ... but i have a trick ...
take two steps on inhale and two steps on exhale .. its magic ... you just dont get tired ... try it ...

thirdly : start your day with healthy food : muesli / oats / sanwhich ... after 8 hours of no food ... your body looks for nutrition and all you give is a dehyrating coffee / or a butter bread common .. be kind to this divine body ... its magic ... its what gets you through life ... be kind .. and it will work like magic for you !

fourthly ... just smile at the first five people .. on the way to work or on the way to anywhere you go in the morning ... dont grin !!!! SMILE ... its a simple process eeeeeeeeeee ... and see how good you feel ... and pls avoid smiling at the opposite sex you dont want trouble early morning ...

lastly .... Move Your body ... I read this very interesting article which said ... human beings where mammals before this right .. what do animals do move .. all the time jump here there ... our body is DESIGNED TO MOVE and not sit for 9 hours at one place. if we do that we are heading for ... pains aches problems ...

move to get your lunch / coffee / meet your boss / meet your client or just walk when your Talk hahah !!!

so here is it ... try these and FEEL THE DIFFERENCE ...

life is to short live it !!!

celebrate each moment because it is not coming back !

Cheers
1ON1 Fitness Holidays
Where fitness is a lifestyle come and live it !

Waking up to an Indian Bison !!!

2011-04-10T07:38:00.001-07:00

We were up at 5.30am ready for our run ....

Prahlladh decided to take a stick for a run as we do have wild street dogs attacking us when we run ..

So all ready with our stick we stepped outside our house and we see a Bison ... HUGE ,BLACK,WOUNDED right outside our house quietly crossing us, to go to the lawn around our house ... to have his daily breakfast i guess ... quietly we kept our stick down and turned to the door .. safely came in but couldn't believe our eyes ...

Prahlladh took his camera out and tried getting some pictures of this wonderful creature of a god... he is big , he is swift , he is an animal to see ....

Indian Bison , 6 ft away !!!!

Indian Bison wounded:(

Leaving to work after breakfast:)

A little about the Indian Bison (Gaur) They are the heaviest and most powerful of all wild cattle, and are among the largest living land animals;

Body length: 250 to 360 centimetres (8 to 10 ft)
Shoulder height: 170 to 220 centimetres (6 to 7 ft) On average, males stand about 180 to 190 centimetres (5 ft 11 in to 6 ft 2.8 in) at the shoulder, females about 20 centimetres (8 in) less.
Tail length: 70 to 100 centimetres (28 to 39 in)
Weight: Males often 1,000 to 1,500 kilograms (2,200 to 3,300 lb),

I must say quite a sight ..... Wake up and smell the coffee we have Mr Gaur to visit us :)

Welcome to your stay in the forests where your neighbours are huge but loving :)

Excited to be alive !

Khushi and Prahlladh Bulchandani !

The set up of 1ON1 Fitness Holidays begins

2011-04-10T07:09:00.001-07:00

The set up has began ... we've got our equipment , we've got our mountain bikes , we are getting our on site gym under construction ..... some photos of the same below.....

Our schwinn and cannon dale mountain bikes have reached kodaikanal :)

Its fabulous to be working in a beautiful serene environment .... we love it .... while our workers are doing the cementing , the painting ... i am developing the food manual in the house and my husband is developing the exercise manual outside .... working out in the outdoors ... its quite a dream...

loving it ....

Prahlladh , our chief trainer working out outdoors :)

so everyday we do train ... we do one form of cardio so as to try and find new routes and interesting spots to end our trek / jog at... and we are quite spellbounded every time we are out in kodaikanal its waking up to paradise!

rise and sunshine to nature's spotlight

Biking further down from pillar rocks at 6.00 am

off road biking is tough but crazy fun

Thats where our bike ride ended :) Niravana

Imagine this being your breakfast spot after a hard day of exercise ...

So this is finalized as one of biking spots. Its around 5-7 kms of cycling but a lot of uphill which tires you .. but at the end of the ride your in for a breathtaking view ... if this is what you call a holiday then c u soon at 1ON1 .

Excited to be alive !

Khushi and Prahlladh Bulchandani

Why 1ON1 Fitness Holidays ?

2011-03-29T05:53:00.000-07:00

Let us introduce ourselves

I am Khushi Bulchandani a young little girl in love with a fitness hunk . Got married moved from Mumbai a commercial hub to Chennai not any less trust me !

My husband has been running a Premium personal training studio in Chennai .
http://www.1on1fitnessstudio.com/ for the last 5 years. Loves fitness and very very passionate about it.

We met 2 years back got married and staying with my hunk I began loving fitness too , it was more holistic that just weight loss or looking pretty , it was about feeling good to be you !

loved it , got into weight training , yoga , cardio and relished every bit of the fitness high and more over learnt so much about my body . This beautiful machine we have . Its magic.

Besides that after a year of marriage me and my husband discussed our big future plan . What is it that we want out of our lives . We brainstormed and pen down our ideal life .

We boiled down to - "Our ideal life would be to wake up to a valley view , sound of the birds and colourful sky . Hit the forest for a run and explore every day a new angle of nature. Be in natures lap at all times be it breakfast , lunch or dinner . Be it a run or yoga or training . Be it surfing on the net or taking a massage its all outdoor with fresh clean air , no car sounds and just nature at its best. "

We said we have to leave Chennai or for that matter any metropolitian city in India because this is a dream in India in a city .

So we narrowed down to Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu as this was the place we have our own house since childhood and weather is superb . Also not too far from home and family and we can experience the peace we are in search off.

We came here a couple of times , stayed here and thought of what is it that we would like to do for a simple living. Thats when we said we want to share our dream of an ideal life ,which is somewhere everyones dream in India especially.

So here we are with 1ON1 Fitness Holidays. Where we said yes , we will give them a glimpse of a our dream life .

Imagine !

A simple and meaningful life to revive the body & Soul
Waking up to the sound of silence,
Valley View from your room window,
Cool breeze caressing your face when you run through the mountain roads,
A bornfire , blanket of stars in the sky and some hot green tea to sip on, after a hard day of exercise.
This is not a fairy-tale - This is 1ON1 Kodaikanal

Here the mountain is your gym, the winding road is your treadmill and the forest is your training ground. At 1ON1 you outsource your fitness to us and once you surrender yourself it is our responsibility to give you the fitness experience of a lifetime. The fitness programs we offer comes with a holistic wellness structure, which will get you motivated, more flexible, stronger then ever and will also bring in a sense of self discipline and peace from within.

We take the guess work out of your fitness and present you with the raw truth about your body and how you may achieve your goals - No gimmicks /no short cuts. Each Day here is pre-planed right from the moment you wake up until lights out. The training will strike a balance between The Heart (Cardio), The Body (weight training, yoga), The Soul (yoga) Your time here will help you look within and also help you realize how to look after, care and respect this beautiful machine which is your vehicle and gateway to higher consciousness.

At 1ON1 you will have the Perfect Natural Environment, the Right Fuel for your body and mind. The only thing you will have to bring along with you apart from your belongings is - The Right Attitude and An Open Mind. We look forward to welcoming you to experience 1 ON 1 Fitness, Kodaikanal .

So this is our plan and folks this blog is purely to express our ideal life to you all and for you all to be a part of this life that we visualise .

The blog is going to be a update of our daily set up of this new venture .

We are going to update our daily runs , our locations , our experiences , photos and others .

So keep giving us your inputs , views and opinions .

Wishing you all love , luck and happiness . Life is short lets Live it !

Excited to be alive !
Khushi and Prahlladh Bulchandani