[amol4184]

There is not only general lack of awareness about exercise, eating healthy etc. but there is also a strange negative outlook towards grown men in good jobs/businesses doing activities like cycling or going to gym and building muscles.

Here are two examples from my India trip last month:

1. I was always lean but after cycling regularly for past 4 years I have become fitter and my motions have become sprightly. There is a change in the way I look (healthier, fresh). A close family friend came to visit and noted the difference. When I told him I do cycling regularly clocking 800-1000/kms per month he was almost astonished.
I quote and I am not kidding, his words were "WHY??? this is the time to relax and enjoy life! What are you doing?" Then turning towards my mom he says "Put some sense in him" - this coming from a 55 year old guy with a belly that shoved the belt into obscurity and put more pressure on shirt buttons than our foreign minister.


2. Random guy on highway seeing me toil in 35 degree heat slowed down and asked typical questions as to how expensive the bicycle is and how much do I ride and where I work. After answering these questions, his words - "You seem like a guy from good house with good job. What is the need to do this? You will destroy your legs in few years and none of that money will come help you. If I was you I will live like a king". Just look at the audacity.
I almost felt insulted but I know better than arguing with strangers in an unknown area.

The person was young, worked in MSEB and explained to me how he hated doing physical work he had to do somedays like going to areas where there were electricity issues.


Unbelievable. This stigma and wild ideas on "enjoying life" is our downfall.

[avisidhu]

Originally Posted by freewheelburnin

Workout at least 3 days a week (Cardio + strength training to use the muscles)

This is the perfect summary of what changes are needed. I have established these three (increase proteins, reduce calories/fasting, weights) as fundamentals to my day to day life and have been able to consistently maintain my weight since then.


Despite being non-veg I still struggle with maintaining daily protein levels. I try to compensate though weigh protein (and occasionally protein bars as a replacement for snacking during the day). Would be curious to hear from others if there are better alternatives.

Originally Posted by amol4184

There is not only general lack of awareness about exercise, eating healthy etc. but there is also a strange negative outlook towards grown men in good jobs/businesses doing activities like cycling or going to gym and building muscles.

Don't know who coined it, but I love this framework: "Almost all events around us are an over correction in response to earlier events". Although perplexing at first glance, this sentiment could be a direct outcome of generations of scarcity.

Also I have noticed that if challenged on their habits, most people respond through an anecdote of someone who died despite being perfectly healthy . I wonder if the uniquely Indian concepts of re-incarnation and cycles of life have a role to play in this apathy.

[download2live]

Its carbohydrates in our diet. One thing I have noticed is that people from other countries eat less portions of carbohydrates. And lots of protein (in most cases it is meat/fish).

Somewhere in the past (due to widespread poverty maybe), the rice/roti portions in plate increased and proteins (in form of lentils, which are the best sources of proteins btw) decreased. Mostly to a small bowl of watery lentil soup. Add to that the potato curry as other vegetables were on more expensive side.

Now that people can afford better food, still the habits of past are lingering. Half the portion of carbohydrates and double the portion of protiens and we will be in better shape.

BTW There is something called carbohydrate carvings. Which is responsible for many people not adhering to the diets.

[IshaanIan]

I think it is 3 main factors that cause our populous to be unhealthy.

1. Lack of proper sports programs or facilities in schools; either there aren’t enough facilities for all kids of all age groups and genders to enjoy or even if there are, kids are prevented from playing sports citing reasons like tuition classes or board exams coming up.

2. Poor labor policies; we are under paid and over worked this leads to higher levels of stress leading to higher cortisol and insulin resistance.

3. Even if we find the time and motivation to go out and exercise, we are faced with poor air quality due to unregulated construction practices and lack of proper domestic cooking methods. Also there is hardly any undeveloped land. If it exists it is kabzafied and developed after a decade. So there basically exists no accessible outdoor parks or land for people in cities to use. I for one would not mind cycling within a 5km radius but who would want to walk or cycle with all the potholes in our roads and lack of pavements?

[ampere]

As they say in research; formulation of the problem forms bulk of the solution. Its the same here. Do we even recognize that its an important aspect that we need to look after ourselves? I think not. The day we have that recognition, the topic of this thread will cease to exist.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by ampere

As they say in research; formulation of the problem forms bulk of the solution. Its the same here. Do we even recognize that its an important aspect that we need to look after ourselves? I think not. The day we have that recognition, the topic of this thread will cease to exist.

That is so true, specially in the 35+ age group of people who are married and with kids. We just stop putting our own health as a priority and give our complete attention to raising a family.

[Hayek]

As some who is now over 50, I must say I disagree with the thesis that middle aged Indians give up on fitness. Most of my friends are far fitter than they were in their late 20s or 30s having taken up regular exercise in their 40s. I do agree that diet plays a very important role too. Despite running an average of 130 km every month, I have a paunch and high body fat percentage. I lose weight only when I run over 45 km a week and gain weight if I drop to 30 km or below. Because my diet is carb loaded with carb. I have taken protein supplements when my training is very high (doing over 50 km a week) but am concerned that it may cause damage to the kidneys et al - so that is not regular either.

[ampere]

I would still argue that the awareness still is quite low. That fact we recognize the problem itself is a big part. Given we strive to do something to fix it.

I would still maintain most of the urban population don't recognize the danger lurking beneath. Many would probably say: I am stout, so what? But once reality strikes that it would lead more complications later in life and actually one can do about right away would make them take the right step.

In fact course-correction in the diet itself will lead to a stronger and healthier lifestyle along with a good walk. High intensity training is more an addition than a necessity in my opinion. I have also learnt it myself in the last 12 years. I run 3-4 days a week (~50-100km / month), but that does not help weight control. Diet discipline and strong IF has helped me hold my territory. Like Hayek mentioned, even for me, I tend to gain a lot if I deviate from my schedule and regimen. Hence the need to keep a hawk like watch on this.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by Hayek

Most of my friends are far fitter than they were in their late 20s or 30s having taken up regular exercise in their 40s.

Case in point here, I've been fitter since my mid-30s than I was in my 20s...but that's only because I was leading a very unhealthy lifestyle from college till my early 30s! So that's not necessarily a good thing.

I think the point is we (at least urban Indians) don't make physical activity a part of our lives. It's only perhaps in the past 10-15 years that I've noticed a steady increase in older participants in activities like cycling, running, etc. And even then it's mainly in the bigger cities, among a narrow socioeconomic demographic.

There is a world of difference between someone who takes up a physical pursuit as a child or a teen and continues it throughout their lives, compared to someone who does it as a response to a mid-life crisis. (Not judging, I'm in the same boat!) Of course, something is better than nothing and better late than never.

Other factors include our tendency to 'compartmentalize' our lives. We grow up with one 'games/PT' period in school, that's a small fraction of our day. So even after, it has a separate place, not a part of our lifestyle. With women, it's still a challenge to get parental and societal 'approval' to play outdoors beyond puberty. There has been an increased participation of women in fitness pursuits in cities like Bangalore, but again mostly from a certain socioeconomic section of society. The only state where I've seen girls from all sections of society outdoors, playing on a somewhat equal footing with boys is Goa.

Another factor is how so much of our social life revolves around food. Weddings, birthdays, reunions, the most important thing is 'how was the food?' Planning a road trip? After the questions about the route, the next most numerous questions on our threads is about restaurants. I've always been skinny, but I used to have unhealthy cholesterol numbers, till I made some diet and lifestyle changes. Yet, even now, whenever I'm in the same house as my relatives, I have to fight to avoid eating deep-fried stuff or sweets. And they take it personally if I prepare my own meals. Yes, it's out of love, but like the Queen song goes, 'Too much love will kill you.'

Things are changing though, and changing fast, so with attitudes, parameters too should improve over generations.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Hayek

As some who is now over 50, I must say I disagree with the thesis that middle aged Indians give up on fitness. Most of my friends are far fitter than they were in their late 20s or 30s having taken up regular exercise in their 40s.

I think your samples are from a very narrow strata of the society. Most people are not like this.

I had to visit doctors twice this year, once for flu and another for some infection. Both times, each GP was stunned to notice my BP/blood sugar/cholesterol was within healthy limits. One doctor repeated the blood sugar test to be sure. Both men thought it was exceptional at 55 and congratulated me. Both mentioned how most of their patients in 20s and 30s are having sugar and cholesterol issues and are forced to pop pills on a daily basis.

Since GPs get to see people from wide spectrum of the society on a daily basis, they have much better idea about the trend. From what I heard from them, latest report is spot on.

BTW, I don't run at all. I walk, do strength training, and follow IF (16-8) everyday.

[alpha1]

https://indianexpress.com/article/he...study-9415383/



Somehow in India there is a disdain for a physically active lifestyle. Starts right from childhood where parents egg their wards to devote 16-18 hours cramming for exams (6-8 hours for sleep), anything else is a distraction and deviation from the goal of becoming "collector".

पढोगे लिखोगे बनोगे नवाब
खेलोगे कूदोगे तो होंगे ख़राब

This continues till the pre-adult stage where growing children (teenagers) start to adopt adult lifestyles. If (Usually) they are surrounded by adults who have poor eating habits, non-existent physical activities, with most of the "leisure time" either spent in front of TV, or "working from home" (not because the boss said, but because I don't have any hobbies) - sets an example for their adulthood. And the cycle continues with the next generation. Also, few measures that could improve the situation are also typically ignored e.g. I see so many young people on 1st/2nd floor waiting long minutes for elevator, ... or taking a car/bike to a shop 100 m away!

Perhaps a few urban elites (I expect most to be present on this forum, and taking active interest in lifestyle, diets, activities, health etc.) would claim I am generalizing, but this is how it is.

Originally Posted by amol4184

There is not only general lack of awareness about exercise, eating healthy etc. but there is also a strange negative outlook towards grown men in good jobs/businesses doing activities like cycling or going to gym and building muscles.

Unbelievable. This stigma and wild ideas on "enjoying life" is our downfall.

I recollect 15 years ago, a colleague of mine used to go to office gym in the evening hours (6 pm to 8 pm), his boss used to taunt: right now is not the time for "bodybuilding", better you work on ABC project if you anyway plan to stay late.

Originally Posted by am1m

With women, it's still a challenge to get parental and societal 'approval' to play outdoors beyond puberty. There has been an increased participation of women in fitness pursuits in cities like Bangalore, but again mostly from a certain socioeconomic section of society. The only state where I've seen girls from all sections of society outdoors, playing on a somewhat equal footing with boys is Goa.

With females, there is also a deglamorization angle: No matter how much you promote an activity, or make it conducive to adopt; if it is socially understood as masculine, aggressive, boisterous, I can assure you that most females (especially pre-teens to mid-twenties) themselves will stay out (parents, society acceptance notwithstanding)

Another factor is how so much of our social life revolves around food. Weddings, birthdays, reunions, the most important thing is 'how was the food?' Planning a road trip? After the questions about the route, the next most numerous questions on our threads is about restaurants.

I agree, people are obsessed with food, and it starts right from the day a mother obsesses about her baby's food intake
Motherhood, somehow, makes them view their kid as a skinny mal-nutrioned baby, and this carries on well into adulthood.
In fact, I had an interesting observation (20-25 years back) that kids who stay in hostels were usually never overweight, and kids who remained day-scholars were mostly over-weight.

[warrioraks]

Originally Posted by alpha1

https://indianexpress.com/article/he...study-9415383/

It would have been really interesting if data was available for 2019 as well. I see a very clear change post-Covid where the lockdowns and working from home gave a chance to people for resetting their lives. A lot of folks have realized there is more to life than spending hours commuting to office and more hours sticking to the computer screens. In my small world, there is a noticeable increase of awareness as well as actual focus on fitness if I compare between pre and post Covid times.

[Fuldagap]

Originally Posted by amol4184

Unbelievable. This stigma and wild ideas on "enjoying life" is our downfall.

Most Indians have a laid back lifestyle when it comes to their professional or even personal lives. People generally love to sit on a sofa and gossip while eating oily food. Going to an expensive gym is thought of living the good life showing off one's membership. Same goes for going to fancy clubs. Only a few out there are really present to use the facilities for the intended purpose. Some even use those centers as merely for social/professional networking.

A person on a cycle, like yourself, is deemed to be doing something crazy. Walking and cycling are looked upon as the poor man's lifestyle and if a well off guy is doing these two, he is seen as being sort of crazy. While not everyone is in the same picture, mostly it is true.

Also there is a lot of herd mentality that people follow. I used to see a lot of youngsters going to the gym together and then ending up at a food stall to gobble up oily, loathsome chai, samosas and what not.

As you have said "enjoying life", that explains it amicably. I'd go ahead and say that it is akin to what the Charvaka school of philosophy generally is all about i.e. pleasure. It emphasises enjoying and taking pleasure in whatever activities one finds joy in, like drinking etc. People enjoy being relaxed, doing rudimentary stuff while loathing tedious activities like taking care of one's mental and physical health which includes cycling.

While it can be understood that a labourer who toils hard could be irked at the idea of cycling, people in general look down upon cycling, walking or similar activities as wasting time and being stupid.

One can expect such people to see the good in these activities and it makes no sense to them at all. They cannot ever understand why come people cycle a lot or walk daily. They have just this question in their mind, "what's the point of all this?".

Same is true for other things too like keeping pets. Some do not get it at all. What's the point.

While the stigmas are also associated differently to different stratas of our society, reading in general is also thought of wasting one's life. People perceive reading to lead to a difficult personal life. They opine the more one knows the more his or her life becomes.

I have experienced youngsters toiling hard in competitive studies or physical activities to enter into a good job. Most of them resort to the same usual stuff after the goal is achieved.

I walk everyday atleast 10-15 Kms and whenever somebody (a stranger or known) asks me why I do it, I simply answer that I have a dog and it is impossible to not walk this much daily. The discussion usually ends here. Sometimes when it doesn't I tell them that I have nothing better to do and when I get tired by this much walking then only I can sleep at night. Somehow everyone stops asking any further questions and I continue doing whatever I was. Try to tell them the benefits of cycling etc and they will pound you with the 'pleasure' bombs aka "king life" as you said it in your post.

On a side note, I have seen retired members from the armed forces not able to fully mix up with the rest of the society or just trying to keep themselves stick to their own networks. People from the forces are generally disciplined and pick up a habit or two of doing some good stuff for the rest of their lives. Be it a daily long walk only. The rest of the surrounding people cannot understand the good in this.

Our society is brimming up with cyclists but i see no point in time in the future when they won't be looked down upon by the rest of us.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by ampere

In fact course-correction in the diet itself will lead to a stronger and healthier lifestyle along with a good walk. High intensity training is more an addition than a necessity in my opinion. I have also learnt it myself in the last 12 years. I run 3-4 days a week (~50-100km / month), but that does not help weight control. Diet discipline and strong IF has helped me hold my territory. Like Hayek mentioned, even for me, I tend to gain a lot if I deviate from my schedule and regimen. Hence the need to keep a hawk like watch on this.

It all depends on the starting point. For someone leading a very sedentary lifestyle with no attention to their food intake, yes, cleaning up their diet and getting some physical activity will be a big improvement. But it will eventually plateau and they will see their gains start to erode slowly. The human body has been engineered for self preservation and it is always preparing itself for the food scarcity scenario by storing fat and getting rid of what it sees as wasteful energy consumption. That is why it gets rid of muscles first when you start a calorie deficit diet and do not include strength training. And as you lose muscles, your calorie requirement goes down and if you dont reduce your diet, you start to gain weight. A healthy human body sits on 3 main pillars: Diet, Cardio and Strength training. And these 3 pillars need to rest on a strong foundation of good sleep. Skip any of these or dont pay attention to any of them and you'll find yourself trying to do a difficult balancing act.

[Sk8r]

Some reasons I can think off :

1- Unfortunately weight is perceived directly proportional to health
2- We've normalized taking insulin shots/ BP tablets so much so that people are considering it as an age related disease and not a lifestyle related one
3- "Nothing has happened to me till now, so nothing will happen to me in future"
4- Too busy doing stupid stuff - Sorry to say if our screen time is anywhere more than 1 hour for leisure activities, we're ruining our health, wealth, family, money, everything.
5- We're not being selfish enough to prioritize our health/life over "responsibilities"

The below is my mantra for a healthier life.




Image source : TeamBHP (Mumbai Metro - Inconvenience today for a better tomorrow, but when will that tomorrow come?)