Walking with Ironman before Title 'IRONMAN'

Saturday and Sinhagad used to be in my calendar (I have stopped going there, don't know why). It was usual Saturday, October cold and windy weather giving me a goosefleshes. Me and my Friend Mangesh started to walk on way to Sinhgad from base village. We were walking like a set robot for his destination and reaching top is our destination. I about to reach to top and saw a white gray hair, perfect shaped body wearing black tees and short walking fast to the top. He was bare feet and was no showing any sign of discomfort while climbing or walking on that difficult patch of the fort. He was along with someone talking about the climate. We almost reach to the 'Pune Darwaja' (Sinhgad fort gate opening towards Pune City) at a same time.

Till the time I didn't notice him and didn't bother to check him too. I had a lime juice refreshment to start my journey to climb down again. Me and Mangesh was about to start the climbing down and saw that personality who was climbing up bare feet. As soon as saw him, I said Mangesh, 'Arey... Ha tar Milind Soman'. That very moment we look at each other and I offer him handshake, which he accept gracefully, without wasting a time. That narrow pathway was blocked by me, Mangesh, Milind and 2-3 more people who were confuse and just staring at him.



That time he was in Pune to promote his 'Pinkthron' (Woman Marathon). I knew he is Punekar and so we started to communicate in Marathi cum English. We discuss a lot about his NGO, 'Pinkthron' and Sinhgad. He told me, this was his first bare feet trek and it was not planned too. He was in Pune and somebody suggest him to go to Sinhagad and he dropped himself here. It was difficult for him, but he was happy he could able to climb up. When asked, he told me why he started bare feet jogging and since when. It was really interesting story and the way he narrate me was inspiring. He got inspired from his mom, not to jog in bare feet but to stay fit, doing so he cross the boundary to be in typical jogging gear, specially shoes.

I really had a good walk that day. We had long and good discussions in that 1 hour. But I don't remember he said any word about the IRONMAN. May be he like to astonish the world with his achievements. He must be believing in Doing things, rather telling. He surprises all doing everything From Model to Actor to Director to fitness freak to bare feet jogger and now the title 'IRONMAN'.

3.8 KM Swimming, 180.2 KM Cycle and 42.2 KM jogging, in 15.19 hours at age of 50. ARE YOU SERIOUS, MILIND? I really don't have any words to say about.

After achieving this, he updated his Facebook page 'ONE IRONMAN DONE'. It seems he is not ready to stop on single IRONMAN title and planning to achieve something more in his life.

I congratulate him on his achievement and wish him a great life ahead.

GREAT GOING IRONMAN.... RESPECT ...!!!

Slow and Steady with your Body

Last year, I was about to cross 100 KG mark. I was not feeling Proud, but neither I felt any shame on my body nor guilt to being a overweight. Until one odd day, when our office lift was down for maintenance and I have to take stairs. I halted on second floor for good breath of air. I was literally pulling myself to climb up and Somehow manage to climb 5+1 stories building to reach office. I was unable to keep my breath in control for next 30 min. That was a sign, I am getting older (crossing 32 age) and fattier (95+ KG).

Before I could have cross the three figure mark and become one of the joke for others, I started to find a way to be in shape. I don't wanted to start something fast and stop after a while.... My aim was not get SIX pack or get slim and skinny, but to be moderate and balance weight according to my age (now 35). I wanted to do it very slow, but consistently as I go.

I started with 10 simple steps below and that worked perfectly for me. In years time, I'm back in shape. Though I'm still 2 KG more as per BMI calculation, but that is more because of my tongue. It goes out of control when my eyes see delicious food in front. Sometime I can't control her, but I try to compensate in workout next day to balance my eating habit.


1. Early to BED, Early to rise
I used to sleep around 11-12 at midnight, so my first alarm was at 8:00 AM. This has been changed to 10-10:30 PM now and wake up timing is 5:30-6:00 AM except Weekends (My weekend timings are very odd, depends on friends and parties)



2. 3-5 KM Walking/Jogging or 10-15 KM Cycle 
Start with very minimal exercise before your body gets adjust with physical workout. Don't stretch your legs or body from day one. Start with small walk by few meters, feel your breath, stretch your arms, kick your legs. Do it for few minutes daily. Increase the activity as you go. This stage is very important, don't rush on this part. Enhance the rate of walking and distance and duration.

3. A glass of Warm Water to start a day
Have a Glass of warm water after workout. That will help to control the temperature of body and activate stomach for food. For a taste you can add lemon, honey, ginger or anything (no sweet), but I prefer plain water.

4. Heavy Breakfast (before 9:00 AM)
Try to have as much as you can in morning session, no matter what work you do or what you eat for rest of the day, but never skip breakfast. Please avoid the last night food or bakery products only to start your day.

5. Moderate lunch (1-2:00 PM)
I can't tell, how much is suffice for you but don't overeat or hog on lunch. Just have enough to keep you hungry for evening snacks. If you can't control on lunch habits, try to reduce the quantity step by step. Don't just change the lunch pattern.

6. Evening Snacks (4-5:00 PM)
After lunch, this is the time where you can feed yourself with something you can enjoy. Take small portion of anything you like, a slices of bread butter jam or biscuits or anything which suffice to keep you hungry in just 2-3 hours.

7 Dinner (7-8 PM)
Can you skip Dinner? If yes, then good. Don't enforce to skip the dinner, if you are craving for food, don't wait for morning breakfast. Find something which you don't like most and not sweet or contain sugar (BTW, Rice contain only WATER no sugar). You can have anything but in small portion. Best way to use smallest and shallow plate and/or small spoon instead of your normal plate for dinner. Eat slowly as you can. It would be good if you can finish your dinner before 8:00 PM.

8. Walk
Don't just seat to make your chair warm. Take nice walk near your house, check your neighborhood, socialize with people and make new friends. Take at least 1000 steps out of your house before bed. If you have dog, this is the time to take him for walk :)

9. Warm Water
Before your go to bed take a glass of warm water to prepare your body to digest everything you had for a day.

10. Go to Bed
Take a good story book and read till you feel sleepy. Sleep like a baby to energize your body for next day.





Changing habits are very difficult, hence my suggestion is to go slow, but follow all steps everyday. Don't stretch yourself by going to Gym or any weight loss program, unless you know what you are doing.

Bad Habits made you fat, Good Habits will make you slim. 

Disclaimer:-
Images are take from internet, I'm not claiming it's mine.
It work for me doesn't' mean it will work for all.
Please consult your doctor or dietitian before applying anything from above tips.
Eating habits may need to change, depend on person to person.
This is my personal experience, have not copy from anywhere.
Please Do not copy or replication in any form without the express and written authorization of me.

Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup

I do know why I pick this book, no...not by the name of the book or I'm fan of suspense books, but only by name of author, Mr. Vikas Swarup.

I never heard of his name till I enjoyed a Oscar winning movie 'Slumdog Millionaire'. That movie made a History for many Indian artiest, A award for music director A. R. Rahman, Singer Sukhwinder Singh and Gulzar for lyricist. The story was amazing and plot picked from the Book 'Q&A' novel. I really wanted to grab that book after watching movie, but never got a chance to buy that book. Though, I can't read such books after watching movie from same plot. I read books to impreove my imagination power and i love to involve in story when I visualize as I read. I think, I stop imaging and always relate to the charterers from movie and expecting a end of novel as I saw in movie. That is the reason, when there was a buzz about the new Movie, on novel 'Shantaram' by Gregory David Roberts, I grab the book and read out as soon I can. Fortunately/unfortunately that movie never come out and I'm still happy to have my own version of book in my mind.

After watching Slumdog Millionaire, I wanted to follow the Vikas Swarup and was looking to check his another book. In 2010 I cross with this book, 'SIX SUSPECTS', before any second thought, I was holding that book, before anyone from Hollywood or Bollywood director start writing a plot or script on that.

The book is a good read and built a nice plot till last page. Guessing of the killer is difficult and surprise elements at the last chapter of the book is good to keep you hanging without exploring the real killer. From first page you could start imaging the characters from that book and all characters has it's own world, narrated by Author. The book takes you every part of India, from Delhi typical Hippocratic, emotionless, corrupt Political world to Andaman ever green nature loving people... From Sadhus in Uttar Pradesh to Nigerian con, roaming in Chennai... From Sweet people of Kolkotta to Victim of Bhopal gas tragedy... From Rajasthan Marwad to Delhi street thief..... The book is perfectly written to give glimpse of each part of India in well manner. There is a forgain character too, who gives a international overlook, including a some hidden war between Indian, Pakistan and Afganistan. Inclusion of the CIA, FBI, Terrorist in Kashmir, ISI and name of the International Business tycoon make this story more interesting. The words and outlook plotted by author makes you to create a picture of each sequence while you read.

As title says, there are SIX suspects for a murdering Politician son Viky Rai. The murder happen to be in his Farmhouse where he was hosting a party for being acquittal from murdering bar attendant long back. The all suspects has their own story and motive to kill the host. The party was for celebration, where many people got invited and some got dropped themselves to kill Viky Rai.

Ultimate suspense end up in last chapter, where we agree with Author for Indian Judiciary system and Money/Power is stronger than anything. Law and death is different for rich and poor.

Very interesting suspense story end with many questions though, but really a nice pick for suspense book readers..

The art of Seating...

There is no way I can teach anyone, Where to seat and How to seat, but certainly, can help you with how to seat PROPERLY to avoid the neck pain, specially when you are in front of the Computer.

I have learn this technique from someone on internet, could not remember name of that fellow and Video URL too... :( I do remember the key elements from that technique, because I'm using since that day. I had a very bad neck and back pain. Apart from medication I am following below steps, which helps me to cure the back-pain sooner than I was expected.

Those who are work freak in front of TV/Computer screen, need to understand human spine is flexible, hence be careful as you walk/seat or do anything with your back. Spine start from neck to tail bone at end of our back. A wrong habit of seating position may damage our spine permanently. So beware of posture and understand the simple technique to comfort your back when you are in front of screen.

It's best for all of us to make a habit of this, no matter what surface your using to rest your butt :) The below steps will not take more than 5 seconds to make you comfortable on chair. Do not skip any of the step from below list.

1. Choose the comfortable chair for you.
2. Make height adjust according to you and screen of your computer.
3. Eye sight and Computer screen must in straight line.
4. Follow all possible instructions from picture attached.
5. Stand still in front of chair.
6. Pull all muscles of your heap.... pull inward as much as you can.
7. Take a breath...
8. Make your stomach muscles tight. Pretend, somebody is going to hit you on your stomach.
9.  Relax your shoulders.... don't load on shrugs
10. Seat on your chair with without breath out.


It's human tendency to relax, dropping shoulders and bend forward as we seat for long time. Whenever you feel, you are lower and arching your back, stand up again and follow the steps from 5 to 10.

Follow these all steps, till it becomes part of your daily habits.


Disclaimer: -
Image is taken from Internet,
The instructions are useful for me, I can't guaranty it will work for everyone.
This instructions are not manual from Doctors or experts, but I found it useful and worthy to share for humanity.

LANGHAN...

My wife is good in kitchen and I'm sure anyone can start licking own fingers after a plateful of meal made by her. She is better when it comes to Non-Veg and I assure you that you will stretch your stomach to stuff as much as you can. She know the meaning of phrase  'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach'. A perfect Wife for me :). Though she is good in cooking, I am fond of the foods from different places around the places. Nothing that I am expert in food, but I like to pamper my tongue than my tummy. The taste drive me to different restaurants than my hunger. Every Weekend (specially on Saturday) I spend time with my friends for party. They booze testing their Kidneys and I food stretching my intestine.

From last Saturday I was not just eating out, but actually hogging, whatever is coming to my plate. Saturday morning was special, as promise to my Son, I went on trekking with him on Sinhgad, (a fort near Pune). I used to go there for exercise, many go there for trekking or practicing the Everest Base Camp training and Foodie go there to enjoy some authentic Maharashtrian spicy food on table top area of the fort. I was with family, so it was for sight scene, photography and food only. The day had started with amazing note with family and ended with my friends in some restaurant with spicy food. Sunday was fasting day for 'Ganesh Chathurthi', hence instead of eating less or nothing I usually eat lot of 'Khichadi' till late dinner at home. Monday heavy breakfast as usual and to office with home cooked food. Expecting a normal lunch in office, I was out with office colleagues to newely opened Asian Cuisine restaurant at Asian-Box near to office. It was unavoidable birthday treat from one colleague. The tasty food from hotel was so tempting, that I had more than I should have on weekdays, deciding to skip my evening snacks and dinner.

Sometime you can strict with you body but not with your heart, specially a lost friend called you for dinner :). I couldn't deny his offer and went to meet him, but with prepared mind to say no to food. This friend of mine is like a Bag of Emotions to trap me in his sweet mouth words to break my own commitment. I had full Mutton Biryani. Monday I had to skip my morning jogging due to Sunday late night dinner and sweet home made Modak on Chathurthi. So do Tuesday, cause I can't feel to get out from my bed after heavy Biryani. Tuesday morning, I had decided to do light breakfast and lunch, but no Dinner at any cost.

My oath went to vain on second consecutive day and I found myself in south Maharashtrain restaurant for dinner with couple of friends. I had authentic spicy mouth watering non-veg food, with 2 and half Chapati and small portion of Biryani. But trust me, the food was so delicious and spicy with perfectly cooked red meat, I can't control my hand, tongue and tummy to consume till I lick my little finger with satisfy burp.

You don't need a doctor or any dietitian to tell you that you are on right path to become short-term foodie to long term fatty. The problem is we know everything (thanks to smart phone and n number of free adviser on internet). You may find a list to do the things, but end result will depend on you and you and you only. 

Next morning on Wednesday, I was bedding like lazy fox, wondering which bed side is easy to get up. I knew if I can't stop now, there is no way I can stop in future. This month is holy month for all Hindus and Muslims. For Hindu it's Adhik Mass (Extra Month like a leap years comes once in 4 years) comes once in 3 year. This month Hindus keep fasting and avoid to eat non-veg, except some people like me :). For Muslims, it's Ramzan month and they keep a fasting for whole day with out a single drop of water. Inspiring from this, on Wednesday I have decided to keep 'Langhan' (fasting) for a day. It was nothing related to any religion, but consideration to rest my tummy after 5 days feast. 

'Langhan' means 'Fasting' by dictionary in English, but it also means 'Control'. Control to say NO, Control on your mind, Control to think over your decisions. Control on your body.

I spent whole day on water, making sure I'm not touching any solid food. Oh yes..., I had 3, half-cup of tea, but swear nothing apart from that. The out come is more than I expected.

1. A person like me who do the heavy breakfast everyday, Said 'NO' for Breakfast

2. Reject the offer to go out with colleague for lunch.

3. Evening snacks was tempting by it's smell, but purposely I'd avoid to roam in cafeteria.

4. By evening my tummy was making lot of weird sound and giving me single to have food, but I tested my control.

5. I almost tumble down while crossing the food stall when I was out from office.

6. I was sensing my nose getting more sharper by every street food stall I'm crossing on way to home.

7. Eyes are lustfully searching for food in fridge, when I reached home.

8. When I was about to grab full pot of my favorite (that day even a worst food would have become my favorite food) sweet dish, I reminding my self to control on my hand.

9. By night I was feeling uneasy and tummy with imploring for food.

10. Finally I have decided to have food, but end up with a cup of cold milk and 'Gulkand' to kill my acidity.

11. By last glass of water for a day before bed, I had consume 5-6 litter of water, 3, half-cup tea and 1 cup of cold milk with Gulkand.

12. I could felt the water actually touching my tongue, going through my throat, giving me a sensation of temporary relief while reaching to my empty stomach and sending a satisfaction message to brain.

Today (Thursday) when I woke up in morning, I felt really light weight and fresh compare to last 5 days heavy dose of food. I had my usual warm water to prepare first byte of food after 'Langhan'. It was a perfect breakfast to break my fasting, 3 (normal size) chapati with Ghee (butter) and sugar. It was a treat to my tummy after more than 24 hours :)

It was a good experiment and hopefully will try this again. I will do the Langhan to control my greed for food.

It's good to have food for your body and not for your tongue. In Marathi 'जगण्यासाठी खा, खाण्यासाठीजगू नका' 

P.S. Do not try to do such experiment by own, unless you sure about your body and stamina.

No-TV month

Last month when I moved to new house, most of our belongings were on auction. Old cupboards, Wooden furniture/racks, Sewing machine, Kitchen-wears, Cutlery, Trunks, A/C, Cooler, Ceiling Fans, used/unused cloths and many more. New flat has enough storage place and wall engrave cupboard for 4 of us, so decision to get away from old was an easy and logical. The list was completed without TV and DVD Player.

I'm TV bug. After office hour, anyone could easily find me in front of that screen. Remote in one hand and other hand busy with my Mobile (WhatsApp) or something to eat, and butts rested in black leather beanbag, like a pig in morass. Happy to be there for whole day or night and toggle my eyes between TV, mobile and food as per convenient. There is no specific show I'm fan of so, surfing the channel after channel till I find something interesting to stick with is the primary job till I get settled. Many times I end up with nothing but repeat telecast program or something comedy to change my mood. I was not like this, but changed from last 2-3 years. losing control on program selection, and start tolerating anything that stupid screen shows me. Slowly that box was influencing and stuffing the unwanted information in my brain like frog in boiling water experiment. Frog never understand that water he is enjoying is actually getting boiled till the point of his death. And like frog I was accepting it happily and enjoying as it comes.

It is not only me, my mom is a big fan of all drama, daily soaps comes to the regional language (Marathi) channel. All those Saas-Bahu type story where someone or all get in to an Extra martial Affairs and a typical oddly over makeup actress survive in that situation to get sympathy from audience. All emotional drama is to attach the audience to small screen and my Mom is one of them. I hate all such stories and serials, but I used to follow these because of my mom and wanted an upper hand on remote when I'm at home.

If anyone watch those drama without emotional sense for 2-3 episodes, the person presume what could be in next few episodes. And those serials made me to have such debatable discussion with my mom. For me it was easy to guess and win the bet. All those serials are written by somebody called 'WRITER' and change the story depending on the TRP and availability (dates) of artiest. But I too start falling for their trap to get engage the viewer.

In short me, my mom and partially my wife is addicted to TV screen. Jaisa Baap Waisa Beta, so my son join couch in front of small screen. We were happy when he remember the name of serials, characters or when he dance in front of TV and try to sync his hip with dancers. This was fun for him and new entertainment for us. He start developing his taste and got attached to Cartoon and some stupid animated shows which has no stories or meaning. At age of 3, he was happy to see something or anything on screen to fix on his bum for his food. We never had realized that we were actually feeding his mind with nonsense, not required stuff in his brain at this age. But as typical parents, we never thought of this and praised him for remembering and doing exact copy from TV.

Yes, it was a old and bulky TV set, purchased in 2001-02 from my salary on EMI. But apart from any emotional attach, I love that TV because of the quality of picture and surround sound. I am sure I may never find the quality like that from any new technology TV. I never thought I would sell that thing soon. I knew if I sell this set, then I have to get new LED/plasma TV, which will defiantly create a big hole in short pocket.

Though I won all bets and debates with my mom, while pretending the end of her favorite Drama serials, I lost the debate to keep the TV set in our new home, I was agree that time, but back of my mind was calculating how much I need to invest for new LED TV, 50,000/-, 60,000/- or more. Finally, we sold a TV at very low price to someone whom I know. I made a promise to my mom, get new TV SOON. Cleverly, I never mentioned, How soon? For new TV, I changed the Hindi phrase from 'Kal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So Aab' to 'Aab Se Bahetar, Aaj and Aaj se behatar Kal' Cause Tomorrow will never comes :D

Since we moved to new home, I was pushing my decision to get new TV to Tomorrow. After few days Mom was giving me reasons why to get new TV and I was finding a way to win the debate again. Whenever I feel I am about to loose the debate, I use my white flag from armor, 'Okay, I agree for new TV and will get that SOON' (keeping SOON in my mind for tomorrow). It is not about the cost anymore, I can get a new LED or Smart TV in my budget, but now it is more about the changing habits.

I can feel more positiveness in my drawing room without idiot box, compare to old drawing room when the talking machine was doing nonsense shit from one side to interrupting the harmony. It's noting bad about the TV or programs, it's about bad habits which I and my family had developed in last few years. It was us, who allowing something than nothing in our brain without thinking whether it's necessary for us or not. The over information about everything makes life bored. The life is to know something, but not everything. And seating in front of TV, I was sucking all information and keeping my tiny brain unworthy to think new ideas and topic to discuss with whom are around me.

But last 30 days are different from these routine things. I am having a healthy discussion with my family. We are spending out time to learn, read and talk on many other topics, but TV serials. My son forgot the name of many cartoon characters, instead he gets in talking or do some naughty things more, which we are enjoying. He forgot how the dancers move their hip and do some vulgar moves. Instead he is imagining his own story, try to express more after his school and get involved when he listen story from my mom or me or my wife. He started to enjoy meal more and seat in one place to have his food after physical activities which he tends to doing without TV. There are many small and subtle changed I'm observing and feeling good about that.

Good thing is I have finish 500 + pages book in just 15-20 days, usually it takes more than 2-3 months from my busy scheduled from TV :). I have started spending time on my blog, trying to write something whenever I get a free time. These are small achievements for me, from spending time in front of screen to front of books :). My mind was full of crap, was not stable and busy in something irrelevant from TV shows.

I'm not against TV, but against bad habit due to TV. If you can control on your mind, then same box can turn in to the ultimate source of good information, but one need to know where to stop and how to press Switch-Off button. I'm missing my TV, and many informative channels, like travel, discovery, NatGeo, epic and sports, specially when there is any sport tournament going on live on TV. I just pinch myself to know I'm off the TV.

I'm experiencing, how easy to get stuck and sunk into the pool of bad habits, but hard to come out from that.

It's good to have new habits of No TV. From last 30 days I am pushing my decision to get new TV to tomorrow, but I don't know for how many days I'm gonna do this. Before I could finish the writing in last two days, I had small debate/discussion/war of words with my mom for new TV and as usual I kept my words 'We'll get the new TV SOON'.

I just hope my wife and/or mom is not following me on social network and read this blog. :)

Happy NO-TV month.....