Be regular to stay fit

The festival of lights, Diwali, is finally over; but its effects are still around. No, we aren't talking about the celebratory mood you are still in, but the extra weight that's stressing you out. For many, it's time to hit the gym to burn the calories that were gained while gorging on Diwali sweets.

Regular workout is essential to lose weight

An emerging trend is for people to pay hefty fees to a gym membership and a fast-track heavy-duty weight loss regime. Unfortunately, though, most of them lose the spirit and discontinue working out after a few days. This affects the body in a negative way.

Manoj Dhawde, head trainer, Gold Gym, Kalyani Nagar says, "Most people start gymming and working out more after the festive season, especially Diwali, to lose the extra calories they gained during the festival. Many even hire personal trainers, but there are very few who continue with this for a long time. It has become a trend in the urban areas."

Gym membership goes up after Diwali

It's an obsession that could do more harm than help to your body. Nutritionist Anuradha Inamdar Chavan says that when one suddenly starts working out, the body's metabolism gets disturbed. "It takes some time to adjust according to the increased pressure and exhaustion. Therefore, once you start going to the gym, you must continue it because leaving it in between may harm your health," she warns.

Gym instructor Shashank Mane whose gym always sees an increase in bookings after Diwali, says, "I feel that people should continue gymming to maintain good health and not just come for a few days," he adds.

We asked a few Puneiites for their reasons behind dieting and increasing workout sessions after Diwali. For many of us avoiding Diwali sweets is impossible. As Kartik Sinha says, "I started dieting because I wanted to remain fit and healthy. That's why I am also avoiding fried food and oily stuff. But I cannot avoid Diwali sweets, as my mother has made them especially for me. However, when it comes to losing calories, I prefer yoga and exercises than signing up at a gym."

Renuka Rajput, a lawyer, is taking all the necessary precautions to look her best for her wedding next month. To achieve her goals, she is not relying on a fast-track weight loss programme but being careful in her planning. "I ate only sugar free sweets and chocolates during Diwali. My dieting had begun weeks before the festival," she says.

Chavan believes that joining a gym or going for a heavy-duty workout to lose weight isn't the healthiest option. "If one maintains a proper diet and work out a little bit on a daily basis, it will be more helpful."

At Gold Gym, Kalyaninagar;u00a0Solaris, Anand Park, Aundh; u00a0Arch Gym, Kothrud, Puneu00a0