Shape up for Santa

With the Christmas and New Year buzz in the air, you know that party time can’t be far behind. From festive brunches and buffets to entertaining dinners and dances, you will find your calendars soon filling up. And while you’re busy raiding your closet or threatening to max your credit card by shopping online for the perfect outfits, don’t forget to pay attention to your level of fitness. After all, there’s only so much that wearing black or vertical stripes can do.

With just around two weeks to go, you may not have time for a perfect ‘Kat-Dip’ body (like Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone) but there’s nothing that a little extra effort can’t achieve. Ditch the junk food, grab your track pants and sneakers, and listen to what the experts have to say.

When it comes to diets, each individual has a different metabolic rate, so shaping up varies from person to person. But there are a few key points that everyone should follow when trying to get fit. Dr P. Janaki Srinath, consultant nutritionist, Fernandez Hospital, advises, “Cut down on all kinds of salty foods and stick to low-calorie and fibre-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. This will help flush out the toxins from your body.”

Dr Janaki further narrows it down by suggesting two different diets — a plant-based one that includes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and a lot of fluids; and a high-protein low-carb diet with fish, egg whites and optimal fluids.

Now that you’ve figured out what to put into your body, it’s time to focus on how to burn those calories. “Join an aerobics or dance class as it will help you loosen up and free your body. I normally recommend one hour of exercise per day, but if you’re in a hurry to lose weight, you could stretch it up to two hours,” says fitness expert Dinaz Vervatwala.

The one exercise routine that has caught the fancy of fitness freaks everywhere is the dance-based Zumba. City Zumba expert Vijaya Tuppurani points out, “It’s not possible to lose a lot of weight within two weeks. Focus on losing inches instead.” 

Along with a diet that is devoid of sweets and carbohydrates, Vijaya roots for Zumba as the perfect way to shape up because the cardio and toning in the dance form work well together.

What about those who resort to watching YouTube videos and practicing Zumba at home? “That only works for people who are extremely determined. If you get distracted while practicing, it results in a sudden fluctuation in your heart beat. It is safe to practice only in front of a certified instructor so that you are motivated to work out,” Vijaya advises.