Indian Lifestyle Blog - Your Gut Health

Indian Lifestyle Blog - Your Gut Health

Hey guys, how are you all doing? How was your weekend? It is Monday and I am all geared up to face it with the strongest coffee.

I am so glad to share this post with you. It is something that all of us go through and refuse to talk about it or ignore it.

I was a part of a discussion with the health experts and doctors on Friday evening. The Sports icon Virendra Sehwag also joined the panel discussion and gave his inputs. Any guesses what it was about? If you followed by Insta-stories and Snapchat stories you would know about it.

Well, it was about #ConstipationConversations! Yes, this was the hashtag. Did you know that according to the study about 14% of the Indians are constipated? It affects one in every 7 Indians.

Don't we all refrain from this topic? I am so glad that I get to talk about such topics that live up to my blog name - Fit As A Fiddle! These taboos around silly things hold us back and we neglect such important health issues. We try to avoid the conversation going around constipation. I mean this is a big 'NO' on the dinner table in the Indian household. Foreigners will easily excuse themselves without any embarrassment for nature's call when they feel pooped. They do not hesitate to say: "I need to take a dump".

I know women deal with blood every month and so we would still be okay to talk about it. But I still feel this shyness is not really gender-specific. It is our Indian mindset. This how we have been born and brought up. It might seem like a minor condition but if you tend to ignore, it can worsen and lead to piles or other serious conditions. You obviously do not want to go through stress physical discomfort, depression, poor appetite, reduced confidence and that anxiety.

Here is what you need to know!

Constipation can be defined in various ways: while some define it in terms of how often they have bowel movements while others relate it to how they feel after a bowel movement.

According to the doctors: you need to worry if you have fewer than 3 bowels movements in a week. However, this is mostly in cold countries. In India, we tend to poop every day or every alternative day is fine too. Some other important signs are hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass, when you need to strain and the feeling of incomplete bowel movement.

I have been 20 kgs heavier and lost weight over a couple of years. It did not happen overnight. I know nothing is easy and there are some days where I feel constipated too.

It is all about a lifestyle change and how much time you take out for yourself. Every busy person including a top-notch CEO works out at least 30 minutes a day. No excuses, no self-negotiation.

Here is what you can do:

- Please do not take your body for granted. Worship your body. I have said this in many other fitness posts as well. Your body will thank you for it.

- Avoid processed foods and junk food. Go natural.

- Please stay hydrated throughout the day. Remember you are already dehydrated by the time you feel thirsty.

- Focus on clean eating. Include fibre in your diet. If you take too much protein, do not forget to include green leafy vegetables too.

- Stick to a certain schedule and do not ignore the nature's call.

- Here is an asana that you need to know and will ease constipation. Check the step by step position here.

- Get up! Move that ass and break a sweat. You would realise after few years of working out, you will get addicted to the happy hormones aka endorphins that are released. Always, do talk to a doctor when you have signs of constipation.

Do you have any questions? Would you like to share your experiences and thoughts? Feel free to reach out to me.

DISCLAIMER

‘I attended a panel discussion on constipation awareness facilitated by Abbott India Limited. Any opinion expressed in this blog is my personal opinion and not the opinion of Abbott India Limited. Abbott India Limited does not assume any liability for the content of the blog. The blog post is not meant to be a replacement for a doctor consultation, nor is it a medical recommendation or prescription of treatment for people having constipation problems. Any reader of this blog suffering from constipation problems should specifically consult his/her doctor for the same and follow the suggested course of treatment’