RNI No.

DELBIL/2013/51337

Volume No. 6 | Issue No. 5 | May 2018 | ` 49

A SNEAK PEEK INTO

MY FITNESS JOURNEY
RITA SINGH
ALCOHOL
DID YOU BELIEVE
THE LIE?

ACE CHAMPION
MUKESH GEHLOT
DRONACHARYA
BHUPENDAR
DHAWAN
 ED FR
RC

O
SOU

MA
10017011004346

RAJU PAL ASIF KHAN

Mr. Asia, Mr. India Jerai Winner
#teamproence #teamproence

Contact us for order : +919811513213 | www.proencenutrition.com | proencenutrition@gmail.com

Contents
Flexibility
Volume No. | Issue No.

COVER STORIES
| May

22
By Dr. Chirag Sethi 08
Ace Champion
Mukesh Gehlot
Dronacharya
Significance of Sports for Children
By Vinay Sangwan 10 Bhupendar Dhawan

A sneak peek into my 14

fitness journey Rita Singh

The need to enhance and update

yourself in fitness…..….
accept the change,
be the change !!
By Jinnie Gogia Chugh 28
The Truth about Air
Conditioning in Gyms
By Namrata Giri

30
ALCOHOL did you believe
the lie?
By Dr Purnendu Nath 32

06 May 2018 FITNESSGURU www.fitnessguru.co.in

 from the
Editor’sDesk Life is a journey and there are
many learnings on this journey.
Humans have witnessed that
since times immemorial. Progress
is the second nature of humans,
the first one being to adapt and
these two aspects have led the
humanity to advance to an
unprecedented level .
Editor-in-Chief
We have journeys of people Harish Khari
,that are so inspiring and when we
read about them ,we realise that it
Editor-in-Chief & Legal Advisor
is not merely a tough journey but Adv. Sunil Khari
nothing less than an ordeal. With
obstacles and hindrances from all
Editor
facets of life ,people have still Jinnie Gogia Chugh
worked their way out and proven that they were
mightier than their problems. Easy as it may sound ,it Editorial Team
is extremely tough – to say the least .We are N.P. Singh (GDYNS)
honoured to feature the journey of one such legend –
RITA SINGH . Editorial Team
We have two renowned names that we are Pankaj Malik
featuring in the FITNESS GURU -HONOURS -
DRONACHARYA SRI BHUPENDAR DHAWAN and THE Marketing Manager
LEGENDARY SRI MUKESH GEHLOT .Proud we are Nitin Rawat
indeed to feature them on our cover .
Art & Designer
We have Purendu Nath a wellness and life coach
giving his take on alcohol ,and Dr Chirag Sethi telling Saleem Ahmed
us about the importance of Flexibility .While Vinay
Sales Manager
Sangwan writes about the importance of sports for
Upender Yadav
children and Namrata Giri talks about the
vulnerability of Airconditioning in gyms.
Team Member
he FEA-FITNESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS ,the Prince Khari
coveted recognition portal that has taken the brave
step of making this industry an organized sector is
here this month, we wish everyone and FEA all the
best .
And continuing on our journey and learnings ,we WP-482, First Floor, Wazirpur, Ashok Vihar, Delhi-110052
wish all our patrons all the best Phone : +91 11 45537333, 9711191111
FITNESS GURU reserved all rights throughout the world, Reproduction in any manner,
Stay Fit ! in whole or part in English or other languages, is prohibited. FITNESS GURU does not
take responsibility for returning unsolicited publication material. Published and
Stay Healthy ! distributed monthly by FITNESS GURU (Regd. Office : WP-482, First Floor, Wazirpur,
Ashok Vihar, Delhi-110052, Owner and Publisher : HARISH KHARI on behalf of
FITNESS GURU, Editor: HARISH KHARI, Printed at DIAMOND ENTERPRISES,
JINNIE GOGIA CHUGH ASHOK VIHAR, WAZIRPUR, Delhi. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction
of competent courts and forums in Delhi only.
The reporting in FITNESS GURU is meant to increase your knowledge of current
DO mail us your story or feature – developments in health. Because everyone is different, the ideas expressed by
researchers cannot be used to diagnose or treat individual health problems. A health-
jinniegc@gmail.com, fitnessguru.co.in@gmail.com care professional ca guide you in best way.

www.fitnessguru.co.in May 2018 FITNESSGURU 07

 Generally we all use this word in
our daily life and we precise over it
saying it is really important whether
it is being flexible in your work or
being flexible with your body it is
either way very important. But what
do we know about it? What is it and
how we can make our daily life be er
with it.
Flexibility is defined as the
absolute range of movement in a joint
or series of joints that is a ainable in
a momentary effort with the help of a
partner or a piece of equipment. This
definition tells us that flexibility is
not something general but is specific
to a particular joint or set of joints. In
other words, it is a myth that some
people are innately flexible
throughout their entire body. Being
flexible in one particular area or joint
does not necessarily imply being
flexible in another. Being "loose" in
the upper body does not mean you
will have a "loose" lower body.
08 May 2018 FITNESSGURU
• Types of Flexibility
• Factors Limiting Flexibility
• Over exibility
Many people are unaware of the fact that there are different
types of flexibility. These different types of flexibility are
grouped according to the various types of activities involved in
athletic training. The ones which involve motion are called
Dynamic and the ones which do not are called static. The
different types are:
Dynamic exibility Static-active exibility
Dynamic flexibility (also Static-active flexibility (also
called kinetic flexibility) is called active flexibility) is the
the ability to perform ability to assume and maintain
dynamic (or kinetic) extended positions using only
movements of the muscles the tension of the agonists and
to bring a limb through its synergists while the antagonists
full range of motion in the are being stretched (see section
joints. Cooperating Muscle Groups).
For example, lifting the leg and
keeping it high without any
external support (other than
from your own leg muscles).
www.fitnessguru.co.in
 Static-passive exibility
Static-passive flexibility (also called passive flexibility) is the ability to
assume extended positions and then maintain them using only your weight,
the support of your limbs, or some other apparatus.

Internal in uences
Flexibility is an important
part of training. Throwing
light on this is Dr. Chirag
Sethi - Director Classic
Fitness Academy.
• The type of joint (some joints simply aren't meant to be flexible)
• The internal resistance within a joint
• Bony structures which limit movement
• The elasticity of muscle tissue (muscle tissue that is scarred due to a
previous injury is not very elastic)
• The elasticity of tendons and ligaments (ligaments do not stretch much
and tendons should not stretch at all)
• The elasticity of skin (skin actually has some degree of elasticity, but not
much)
• The ability of a muscle to relax and contract to achieve the greatest range
of movement
• The temperature of the joint and associated tissues (joints and muscles
offer be er flexibility at body temperatures that are 1 to 2 degrees higher
than normal)

External in uences
• The temperature of the place where one is training (a warmer temperature
is more conducive to increased flexibility)
• The time of day (most people are more flexible in the afternoon than in
the morning, peaking from about 2:30pm-4pm)
• The stage in the recovery process of a joint (or muscle) after injury
(injured joints and muscles will usually offer a lesser degree of flexibility
than healthy ones)
• Age (pre-adolescents are generally more flexible than adults)
• Gender (females are generally more flexible than males)
• One's ability to perform a particular exercise (practice makes perfect)
• One's commitment to achieving flexibility
• The restrictions of any clothing or equipment

Over exibility:
It is possible for the muscles of a joint to become too flexible, there is a
tradeoff between flexibility and stability. As you get "looser" or more
limber in a particular joint, less support is given to the joint by its
surrounding muscles. Excessive flexibility can be just as bad as not enough
because both increase your risk of injury.
Once a muscle has reached its absolute maximum length, a empting to
stretch the muscle further only serves to stretch the ligaments and put
undue stress upon the tendons (two things that you do not want to
stretch). Ligaments will tear when stretched more than 6% of their normal
length. Tendons are not even supposed to be able to lengthen. Even when
stretched ligaments and tendons do not tear, loose joints and/or a decrease
in the joint's stability can occur (thus vastly increasing your risk of injury).

www.fitnessguru.co.in May 2018 FITNESSGURU 09

 SIGNIFICANCE OF SPO
I mportance of sports in a
child's life is long known,
challenge in today's digital
world is how we develop a child's
interest in it. Very few children we
see playing actively in parks
today. Choosing a digital mode of
entertainment over playing a sport
outside is a very common
phenomenon seen today. Lot of
parents are concerned seeing their
kids si ing on their couches
instead of going out and playing.
Recent studies show that over
thirty percent of children between
five and nineteen years of age in
the world today are obese. This is
an alarming number and parents
must take a note of it and work
towards reducing it now!
As they say 'A child learns
from what he or she sees', to make
sports a part of the daily routine,
parents themselves must follow
the same. Be an example for your
children! Develop a daily routine
of exercising at least for 30
minutes in the day, also can
10 May 2018 FITNESSGURU
indulge yourself in sports
activities with your kids on
weekends. Not only playing with
the kids will encourage them to
follow it as a routine but would
Children who play regularly
become socially more active, are
able to make new friends, accept
their peers with open mind and
heart, learn team building skills
also make your parent-child etc. as Sports bring people
relationship stronger. Let us have together from all over the world
a look at some of the known regardless of their race, caste,
benefits of playing sports. religion, status, country etc.
Sports helps a child develop
physically, not only it enhances
the fitness levels but also help in a
good night's sleep. Kids who play
regularly are less prone to falling
sick and experience a healthier
growth in their tendons, bones,
ligaments and muscles.
When a child participates in
any sports activities, he or
she experiences an
increased level of mental
development. Sports
boost confidence and self- Sports - its
esteem in children importance for the
resulting in reduced Children - a much
stress and be er mental needed writeup by
balance. our Ace write Vinay
Sangwan
www.fitnessguru.co.in
ORTS FOR CHILDREN
Sports help in one's overall
personality development teaching
the children life skills like and also
form the foundation of imbibing
positive values. Sports inculcates
discipline, teaches life skills like
leadership, teamwork, patience
and builds sportsmanship
enabling anyone to accept both
wins and defeats gracefully.
Sports not only stimulates a child's
healthy growth but also teaches
lessons that help them in their
later stages of life.
How can parents develop the
sports routine for their children in
today's busy life is a common
question I am asked a lot of times.
Well to me, it's all about priorities!
The way we have set routine for
bathing, eating, sleeping etc., why
can't we have the same for sports
and digital access!
Families can follow a daily
routine – say a basic
sports/workout session for kids
www.fitnessguru.co.in
every evening or morning. A calories but would also be open to
weekly routine - say a special out of box thinking, creative ideas
sports/activity session etc. on etc. So, Let your children see the
weekends. A special routine – say value of sports themselves, let
a hiking trip, paint ball activity, a them like it and become part of
marathon, an adventure holiday their every day's routine. Limit
etc. during the holidays or a long their screen time to few hours
weekend. When the children are every day, plan their daily
put on routines from an early age, timetable. If we want our children
it becomes a part and parcel of to be healthy and happy, we need
their life. to do the same ourselves! So start
Some of the sports that can be now and see how it changes your
played in the parks, on the streets, life in so many ways. Hit that
in the sports complex are sports session the coming
badminton, cricket, hockey, weekend!
football, baseball, handball, tennis
etc. Swimming session in
summers is a great treat for the
body! Also parents can play with
their kids some indoor games such
as carom, chess, passing the ball
on hectic days in the comfort of
their homes.
Having said the above, never
put pressure on your kids to excel
in sports! Allow them free play
time too, not only will they burn
May 2018 FITNESSGURU 11
A sneak peek into my
fitness journey Rita
Singh
A candid and mini autobiography
where Rita Singh shared various places
of her journey painful and tough, it is her
perseverance and determination that has
F itness is not just about
trying to fit into a
particular shape or
achieving a particular look.
Fitness is being able to perform
made her a Legend. and achieve whatever we wish to
FitnessGuru is honoured to feature do. The ability to work tirelessly
and reach the pinnacle of success
her!
in every endeavor we make. This
Many wishes to you Mam! zest for working was primarily
the motive for me to have always
been associated with fitness.
In my school and college
days, I used to feel that I have not
been able to perform to my
fullest potential. My mother was
suffering with schizophrenia and
my work and stress had
increased several folds. But that
period has also made me
realize the value of time, how
precious each second is. I also
learnt how important it was
to be fit, agile and strong to
be able to multi-task. In the
quest of ge ing love and
affection, I was fortunate
enough to be able to get
myself in a positive direction
and enhance myself to be a
rney
A Jou l
champion in anything I do. As

n O rdea we all know, it is only when

A we go beyond our comfort
pic ry
An E Le g enda level that we can move ahead
the
Meet ngh and grow.
i
14 May 2018 FITNESSGURU Rita S www.fitnessguru.co.in
 My extra-curricular activities in
student life included vigorous
physical activities such as
participation in school games like
Kabaddi, races and basketball. I
learnt Bharatnatyam for eight
years and I was so fond of learning
and also swimming. So although, I
had not been going to a gym in my
early years, since in the seventies
and eighties, there were hardly
any gyms. I was certainly into
some or the other physical activity
and an active lifestyle.
That was my foundation being
laid. I never visualized what was
in store. After marriage, with a
difficult and complex relationship
with my in-laws, my health had
deteriorated drastically.
Unfortunately, my son was born
with autism. This had completely
sha ered me. I spent more than
two decades fighting it, trying to
create a miracle. This period gave
me an opportunity to evolve as a
person. I had an opportunity to
unlearn and relearn a lot.
In the quest to help him
improve, I taught him how to
swim and in the process,
improved my own swimming so
much that I began participating
and winning competitions. Then, I
taught him skating, for which, I
had to lean and improve my own
skating. In that period, I won a
bronze medal in the prestigious
Shaheed Bhushan Singh Memorial
skating competition.
Everything that I did has now
become a part of my journey that
led me to improve each day,
physically, mentally and
spiritually in spite of innumerable
obstacles and impediments and it
was when my son was in early
teens that when one day he said
that he wanted to have a good
muscular body. Being a fond and
loving mother, just the way all
www.fitnessguru.co.in
mothers are, I obviously wouldn't
deny him that. So, I looked for a
gym nearby and took him there
along with me. Due to the
challenges and difficulties he was
facing, I had to be actively
involved in weight training,
stretching, yoga and
cardiovascular activities.
Gradually, my ability to
perform in the above
activities improved so
much. I took to
weight training
like fish takes to
water.
My mother
had died after
prolonged
sickness. I had
seen her suffering and
looked after her in her last
days. In those very days, I had
to take care of my son's education.
He was now in higher classes and
had to handle education with
greater complexities with his
education and also everything else
that comes along during the fast
growing and fast changing years of
puberty. It was a very challenging
period for me. One of the major
things that I realized was that no
one would be there to look after
me when I grow old and if I fall
sick like that. In fact, I would have
to look after my child until the end
of my life and probably make
arrangements and fulfill my
duties, for his future, keeping in
mind of course, all uncertainties of
life and the will and ways of
almighty and destiny. For this, the
most trusted way that would
enable me to do this would be
good health and extra-ordinary
fitness. I could not afford to remain
complacent, or take anything for
granted at all.
May 2018 FITNESSGURU 15
 And as I started ge ing regular
at the gym, and became more and
more consistent, I had started
becoming stronger and fi er. That
had to be. And this automatically
made me very noticeable in the
gym. In those days, it was
extremely rare for women and
girls to be training with heavier
weights. While, it is still not as
common as it should be even now,
but just even a decade ago, it was
almost absent.
I had to go through a lot of
opposition for trying to train with
heavier weights. It was almost as
though I'm doing something
sacrilegious. And my movements
were micro-scrutinized, criticized,
but thankfully, all that criticism
and negativity became a
motivation for me to research and
study and get qualified in fitness
and exercise science. This would
help me to graciously talk about
and respond to naysayers with
authentic, scientific and
substantial materials. In no way,
would I want to respond in an
immature or rustic way. Brut is
just not my class. I wanted to
smile and quiet my opponent
gently. My aggression would only
be in bonding with Iron and
conquering my taste buds to have
tremendous control over my diet.
I started with the simple
course of a personal trainer with
Gold's Gym University and went
on to do several other courses
with International Sports Science
Association, USA, Advance
Dietaries and Nutrition with
Progressive Fitness, USA, Pilate
Teachers Course with Plates
Institute of America, PG Diploma
in Fitness Science with Tamil
Nadu University and courses and
workshop like metabolic
conditioning with American
Council of exercise, Basic Ke le
bell course with Steve Co er and
16 May 2018 FITNESSGURU
so on. I also a ended the Asia And having entered a time
Fitness Convention in Bangkok period, when several girls had
twice. All these learning taken on to weight training. I
experiences enriched me and started participating in li le
equipped well for my further competitions within gyms. This
journey. Through these years, I gave me an opportunity to realize
can proudly say that a lot of girls that I had more potential than I
and even gym trainers began knew myself. During competitive
following my example. Gym performances, whether it was a
trainers would watch me and triathlon or a rep max powerlifting
began encouraging female clients performance or an endurance test, I
to start focusing on weight not only topped, but the difference
training. When in doubt, my between me and the lady who
example was there for everyone to stood second was significantly
see. This gave a huge boost to my high. It was then that many kind
morale, and also gave me a lot of and positive people came forward
peace. I knew that I belong here and pushed and encouraged me to
and certainly my journey further take it further. I went on then to
would be very special and participate in Gold's Gym, Ms. Fit
exemplary. I was no longer the 'n' Fab, and won the title of Miss
only woman, who loved weight Fitness.
training. We were looking at an
entire generation that would
emerge in the coming decade.
And paradoxically, I somehow
realized that, while perceive
ourselves as pioneers in this field,
in our country especially amongst
women, there have been
generations of women, who have
been doing it, unknowingly,
without the fuss and glamour, and
in fact truly serving their families,
and in turn humanity.
The rural women in India,
especially some of the women
involved in farming and
agriculture, laborers, who have
lifted heavy weights repeatedly,
for long hours and functioned and
performed relentlessly, tirelessly,
thanklessly, redundantly and
sadly without ge ing appropriate
nutrition.
I would never fail to forget
these women and salute them in
my heart. That is more than
anything else, is the greatest and
most relevant argument against
any person who would say that
heavy weight training is not
meant for women.
www.fitnessguru.co.in
 I went on to win the National
body lifting Championship, three
times. This competition consists of
chin-up and bar-dips in full range
of motion. It was pioneered by late
Dr. Randhir Hastir, who always
encouraged me and whom we
always miss so much today.
Meanwhile, I had also
developed great interest in the
fascinating art of bodybuilding.
Bodybuilding is a beautiful
amalgamation of all fields. It
encompasses several subjects of
Science (Anatomy, Physiology,
Psychology, Biochemistry,
Physics, and Kinesiology) and arts
(music, rhythm, sculpture,
aesthetics). It is one of the
toughest sports, needing the
highest level of discipline, 24
hours a day, throughout the year,
consistency and sustainability for
years and decades and also giving
up on social life to a large extent,
since these is hardly any scope for
flexibility in regime.
Nevertheless, the
metamorphosis it brings about
also brings along the highest level
of satisfaction and learning
experiences.
Watching your own body
transform miraculously, by
making tiny amendments in your
daily routine, rescheduling your
workout and tweaking your diet,
is an ecstatic experience in itself. I With a grown up son who essence of Bhagwadgita say.
may sound very simple and basic, needed full time a ention, it really I had joined Bombshell Fitness
but it is the tiny things that are needed that I quiet my mind and and a ended their camps in
massive unconquerable. It is the bow down, to be able to endure it Daytona Beach in Florida. I got to
simple things that we take for all with absolute calm and just go observe how the girls bond and
granted, that are most complex. on doing my best relentlessly, support each other so much. The
This paradox in life, the oxymoron taking each day at a time, step by talks by the gorgeous Shannon Day
in this sport, is actually the most step, leaving the outcome on and beautiful Gennifer Strobo were
intriguing life lesson. destiny and almighty. So does the enlightening.

www.fitnessguru.co.in May 2018 FITNESSGURU 17

 To be able to achieve anything, the first basic thing that
needs to be done is to unlearn and relearn everything.
Conditioning of the mind, especially in social situations and
realigning your family and friends to adapt yourself
without imposing your lifestyle on others, is the first major
thing that needs to be done. Much more relevant than the
obvious diet and training, that is so conspicuous outwardly.
My association with the great Olympian Dennis James,
watching his wonderful wife cook and plan taught me how
to go about measuring and adjusting with ease.
Further on the expert guidance of the knowledgeable,
experienced, kind and hardworking Fakhri Mubarak
helped me to learn so many technicalities in the subject. He
was always there, so prompt and caring and would answer
to all my questions in great detail so patiently. Nothing in
my long emails went unnoticed. It was one of my best
experiences, training and learning from him. His contest
prep training is amazing. Meeting him each time in New
York was an extremely enriching experience.
I did several competitions since then as an NPC figure
athlete and also represented India in the IFBB contest
worldwide.
Some of my contest and achievements are as follows:-
In 2011, I won Gold's gym Ms. Fitness. Then in for three
consecutive years, I won the national body lifting
championship and finally moved on to bodybuilding.
I now compete in the figure division in the IFBB and
NPC.I became the first woman from India to compete in
Arnold Classic and had a few more achievements.

AC H I E V E M E N T S
• Spain and Amateur Olympia in Prague.
And have won the following contests:-
• Silver Medal in Arnold Classic, Asia.
• Silver Medal in Amateur Olympia, Asia.
• NPC North East Summer Classic: - Open and Masters: -
1st Place
• NPC Eastern Championship, Wayne, USA:-
Open 2nd place
Masters: - 3rd place
• NPC Ft. Lauderdale Cup, Florida: - Gold medal.
• NPC Eastern New Jersey: - Gold medal
• Represented India in Arnold Classic in Barcelona in
October 2017.
• Judged Miss India Fitness 2017.
• Represented India in Amateur Olympia in San Marino,
• The only woman to have won a silver medal in Arnold
Classic.
• The only woman to have won a silver medal in
Amateur Olympia.
• Competed at several other events with great deal
of success.
• Winning the gold medal and overall
championship at the first Sheru Classic Pro-
Qualifier.
• Winning the pro-card and being the reason for
the National Anthem being played on stage.
• Graced the cover of several magazines and
newspapers across India.
• Being a trailblazer for future Fitness competitors,
• Se ing an example, especially for older women
and being able to motivate and bring about a
paradigm change in the society.
• Being able to redefine the idea of age and prove
that "Age is just a number".
• Being the epitome of defying age.

18 May 2018 FITNESSGURU www.fitnessguru.co.in

 I had visited the Oxygen Gym in Kuwait
and met the awesome Ahmed Askar. He has
coached some of the best athletes in the
world, who shine on the prestigious Olympia
stage which in the field of bodybuilding is
the last word in the world. I am blessed to
that I have had an opportunity to train with
some of the best coaches in the world.
Winning the IFBB Pro-Card has been a
dream for every athlete. But the way in
which I received it on stage in the presence of
many fellow Indians and the national
Anthem being sung was more than a dream
come true. There can be no greater honor
than being the reason for the national
anthem being played and the national flag
held high on the stage. This was a high point
in my life and I am grateful that Sheru
Classic has given a platform and an
opportunity for every athlete in India to
come forward and show his/her talent to the
world.
www.fitnessguru.co.in
It has certainly not been easy. It is a roller-
coaster ride with highs and lows, struggles,
achievements, impendences and obstacles. But I look
back with pride. I have never resorted to short-cuts
and taken it as my individual journey. That is the
only thing that has kept me at peace with myself.
Comparison with others might have been painful
and would not allow me to sustain. A short period of
this limelight in this field is actually insignificant. It
is the long sustained journey that eventually ma ers.
Not having age on my side and the need to
balance my schedule with the unique needs of my
son has been extremely demanding.
The emotional ba le in a society that has
preconceived notions about how a man or woman
should exactly be, it adds up to it.
The lesson learnt is to go on silently, endure and
sustain, no ma er what happens and then you carve
a path for future generations, an example to look up
to, whether you fail or succeed, you are still
exemplary. You still have lessons from which
everyone can learn.
But I certainly have age is definitely not just a
number; it is an extremely significant factor in one's
life. It is not that we are trying to train and
outperform ourselves, by pushing and overdoing
things beyond our capabilities. But it is because of
our training and endeavor to improvise ourselves,
by moving out of our comfort zone, by living a life of
discipline and positivity that the youth is prolonged
and the negative effects of premature ageing do not
creep in.
May 2018 FITNESSGURU 19
 This enables us to live a It would also enable me to be able to compete in future and
happy and healthy life and remain associated with sport forever.
perform to our fullest potentials I am thankful to Fitness Guru to give me a platform to write about
and improvise ourselves, my journey. It is a ma er of great pride for me, because when I look
respecting and relishing the gift back and Fitness Guru was launched, I was just on the second issue
of life which is our sacred duty. of this magazine. That is simply amazing!!
When God wants us to
succeed, he creates ways, paths
and reasons for it.
To achieve what I have, I had
no sponsors. No one came
forward to offer me sponsorship
or encouragement. I had to do it
single handedly and have an
earning of my own to meet my
expenses which are significantly
high in this sport.
Samson William Solomon,
who is my business partner
and angel, has always
encouraged me in every
difficult situation. His silent
support is invaluable. My
new venture with him,
“Cafe Proteilicious”,
where we serve and
deliver diet food will
hopefully grow to be a
major support for all
athletes in future at
an extremely
reasonable cost.

20 May 2018 FITNESSGURU www.fitnessguru.co.in

FitnessGuru - HONOUR!
DRONACHARYA BHUPENDER DHAWAN
Dronacharya Award – 2000 for being adjudged as the Best Coach in Powerlifting
Limca Book of Record – 2006 – for representing Indian Contingent continuously
for 16 times
His achievements got him Prestigious Hall of Fame Award – England – 2017
Creator of 48 International Players, 36 winning Medals in Bodybuilding and Powerlifting
And the saga goes on …..

22 May 2018 FITNESSGURU www.fitnessguru.co.in

www.fitnessguru.co.in May 2018 FITNESSGURU 23
FitnessGuru - HONOUR!
MUKESH SINGH GEHLOT
MR. OYLMPIA POWERLIFTING 2017” U.S.A.
EUROPEAN Champion in POWERLIFTING
WORLD Champion in POWERLIFTING
Adjudged BEST LIFTER IN EUROPE – 2016
SILVER MEDALIST in Asia Body Building
GOLD MEDALIST in South Asia Body Building
4 Times title holder of “MR. INDIA”.

24 May 2018 FITNESSGURU www.fitnessguru.co.in

www.fitnessguru.co.in May 2018 FITNESSGURU 25
THE NEED TO W
ith changes in
technology, weather
conditions, and
almost all facets of life, there is

ENHANCE AND
not any field that has been
untouched by the change. With
the continual development of
mankind and the education,
new technologies, theories came

UPDATE YOURSELF into existence and so are they

changing every minute. There
are regular researches that have
changed the way people think

IN FITNESS…..…. and also their a itude towards

an particular aspect.
With the changes in the
global scenario, the

ACCEPT THE CHANGE, philosophies and certain

findings changed the course of
thinking. This is evident in
many things. Humans have
evolved and so have they

BE THE CHANGE !!
28 April 2018 FITNESSGURU
adapted themselves to the new
environment .

www.fitnessguru.co.in
 A small instance would be, that
years back if anyone was in fever,
the doctor would advise to wear
layers of clothing, and stay away
from cold water/air. Over the years
this theory was refuted ,and it was
found that when one has fever ,the
temperature of the body rises ,and
the first and foremost task to be
done is lowering the body
temperature. The person running a
high fever is now asked to take a
cold shower and first administer
cold water ………..Similar is a case
of the icing.Earlier in most of the
cases Hot water or warm cloth was
used to ease of any pain or muscle
contraction – popularly referred to
as 'SIKAI'. However with times,
now icing is the most apt method
used for any such muscular pain.
Similarly, many a theories
evolved .Change is inevitable.
Concepts in the recovery ,exercise
and so many aspects changed .It
was accepted that any particular
modality was used to address an
issue ,and the results varied. This is
merely an example to arrive at a
point that with the changing trends
it becomes but mandatory for us all
to accept and keep ourselves
updated.
Any professional in the fitness
industry ,for being successful and
being updated must continually
enhance himself. It is important to
learn, and one must keep a ending
and being a part of the many
workshops and take certifications .
Being dynamic in this field and
keeping yourself updated is
something that will always give you
an edge over others. There have
been huge contradictions between
the new trends and the age old rigid
philosophies of fitness professionals
,who refused to change simply
because of their stubbornness.
The GURU syndrome for a long
time was immensely under a
negative scrutiny for this reason
www.fitnessguru.co.in
only. It is undeniable that examples.
experience ma ers. A seasoned Pro conventions such as these
professional can in no way be ,offers non-stop sessions and
compared to a novice ,yet the fact of certifications from professionals all
the ma er is that learning and over the world. Fitness educators
updation helps. One needs to be are conducting sessions all over and
receptive to change ,and accept the one must adhere to the change ,to
latest innovations ,and adapt remain active.
themselves to the change to be
Here in India too, fitness
successful.This is the need of the
professionals are pursuing ACE,
hour in the dynamic world.
ACSM and regularly a end many
With the current trends in such fitness workshops and
Fitness – TRX TRAINING, seminars by leading professionals.
NIRVANA FITNESS,SALSATION This keeps them vibrant, updated
and so on and so forth ,much more and also in sync with the world.
is coming up and the fitness
The changing trends are
enthusiasts have a wide array of
centered not only on FITNESS in
things to choose and learn from.
terms of sports nutrition or body
Well qualified professionals building but on all aspects of
,who are established in their Fitness. Regular workshops are
respective fields are also regularly conducted on PILATE, ZUMBA,
updating themselves to keep up to AQUA AEROBICS,
this change. Fitness workshops, BODYBUILDING, NUTRITION,
summits and conventions happen Course of ACE and ACSM etc.
all over the world, FITMALAYSIA,
So, be ready, be receptive and
ASIAFIT, MANIA being a few
make the best version of yourself!!
Change is the only
constant in the world and
it is vital for everyone to
adapt to change if one
needs to progress in life.
Updating yourself of the
latest innovations,
inventions and trends is
important. This not only
helps in keeping abreast
in the field ,but also one
becomes more
competitive and can
strive better in this
dynamic world…….Why
one must do it, elucidates
- Jinnie Gogia Chugh.
April 2018 FITNESSGURU 29
The Truth about
Air Conditioning
in Gyms
R ATA G IRI
b y N A M
The gym junta is clearly
divided into two factions,
one that believes the air-
conditioner or exercising in
a cooler environment really
nullifies all the hard work
they did or are about to do
and the other, who believe
that the air-conditioner has
a positive impact on the
quality of their workout.
Let s bust the myths and
decode the truth
30 May 2018 FITNESSGURU
I am a gym regular for the last five years and not one day has
passed when I haven't witnessed or participated in the “fight for the
air-conditioner”. The gym junta is clearly divided into two factions,
one that believes the air-conditioner or exercising in a cooler
environment really nullifies all the hard work they did or are about to
do and the other, who believe that the air-conditioner has a positive
impact on the quality of their workout.
For records, I belong to the la er faction.
It's about time to clear the air around the use of air-
conditioners in the gym:
Myth: More sweating = More calories burnt
Truth: Caloric burn is a function of intensity and duration of
the exercise ONLY, and has nothing to do with how much sweat
you've produced in the process. The truth is that when the air-
conditioner is on sweating is minimized as the cold dry air
works to quickly evaporates the sweat, enabling you to exercise
for a longer time without feeling exhausted or dehydrated. As a
result of long duration, you will burn more calories.
I think most people equate gym with sauna. When you sweat
in a sauna, you may experience a mild drop in weight which is
nothing but water-loss from perspiration, most of which will be
gained back as soon as you consume fluids. However, exercising
in the gym with a sauna-like environment is not a great idea.
Myth: If you are not sweating hard, you aren t
working hard enough
Truth: People differ and so do their bodies reaction to strain,
exercise, and temperature. Sweating is simply the body's natural
mechanism of regulating its temperature. Some people sweat
much more than others, while some may sweat very li le even
after a strenuous or long workout session. Sweating by no means
is a measure of how productive your workout session has been.
It's smarter to rely on a heart rate or calorie burn monitor than
on the amount of sweat produced.
www.fitnessguru.co.in
 Myth: We must put an virus, bacteria and mildew results in faster breathing. This
effort to produce as much growth. In humid climate an air quickened breathing leads us to
sweat as possible conditioner in the gym regulates exhale more carbon dioxide than
humidity by condensing hot, normal, which can decrease the
Truth: Well, the sweat is real,
moist air out of the room, amount of oxygenated air
but the way it has been created
making the room more available to inhale. Gyms are
may not be! If you insist on
comfortable and healthy. For usually filled with people
keeping the air-conditioner off to
this one needs to set the air- exhaling a high volume of
feel hot enough during exercise
conditioner on a “dry” mode so carbon dioxide, lowering the
to produce a satisfactory amount
that it reduces humidity amount of oxygen available for
of sweat, you're just creating
without overcooling the room. breathing. Humid air with high
artificial sweat. You will end up
Air filters in air conditioners carbon dioxide can lead to
dehydrated, exhausted, ripped of
also help in remove dust irritation of the eye, nose throat,
essential salts and minerals and
particles, pollen, pet fur, mites, and lung, sneezing, and
will be left with li le energy.
and bacteria in the air leading to coughing, skin rashes, infections
Myth: If we sweat more, it s a healthier environment. and headaches among others.
ok to do minimal cardio Myth: The gym is filled So, the next time you step
and strength training with healthy people and into the gym, make sure its not
Truth: You will be able to humid enough to rip you off
healthy air thanks to the
achieve your fitness goals by energy forcing you to exercise at
room-freshener sub-optimal levels.
training hard and following a
Truth: Intense workout,
calculated calorie deficit. You can
accelerates our heart rate, which
do longer periods of cardio and
strength training or can intensify
the intensity without being
fatigued and exhausted.
Sweating less and doing a longer
workout is way be er than
sweating a lot but doing a short
workout.

Myth: Air-conditioner is
only for cooling
Truth: Warm and humid air is
the breeding ground for mold,

www.fitnessguru.co.in May 2018 FITNESSGURU 31

 India’s largest Health & Fitness Store!

n ense SUPPLEMENT STORE

.com
DEALS IN ALL KINDS OF SPORT NUTRITION & FITNESS ACCESSORIES

ALL
SUP MAJ
PLE OR
BRA MEN
T
NDS

Query now 8700618742, 8178940346, 9582826890

Online partner
N u t r it i
o n | F itn es s
complaint@intensekart.com
lth |
Hea
support@intensekart.com
®
info@intensekart.com

Home Delivery
9 Channamal Park, East Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi - 110026
®

NUTRITION
 ®

treme NUTR
ITION
10017011004346

ED FR
RC

O
SOU

MA
Email : info chkindustries.com | Call at : - ,+
www.xtremenutrition.co.in

DEALS IN ALL KINDS OF

PROTEIN SHAKER, JAR & PLASTIC PRODUCTS Mix, Pour and Store all with the same container

We specialize in producing
A-grade shaker bottles, pill organizers.
Custom-designed fitness apparel,
and other promotional products
to launch and spearhead your
branding campaigns.
YOUR LOGO

EASIER HANDLING
w w w. p r o s h a k e . i n HIGH QUALITY
/ProSHAKE.in
LEAK PROOF
For any Enquiry Contact us
+91 9811513213
Email : proshake.in@gmail.com
 did you
believe
the lie? Dr Purnendu Nath
spends his waking hours
focusing on helping
individuals and
organizations reach their
goals, to make the world
a better place. He
speaks, writes and
advises on topics such
as finance, investment
management, discipline,
education, self-
improvement, exercise,
nutrition, health and
fitness, leadership and
parenting.
This write up has been picked from his blog,
of course with his due permission and is very
useful for the readers.

34 April 2018 FITNESSGURU www.fitnessguru.co.in

 I am often asked to speak about
drinking alcohol and its
connection with health or fitness.
The conclusion from the discourse
is very simple – do not consume
alcohol if you wish to live a long
and healthy life. And do not drink
alcohol if you want the world to be
a be er place.
Despite alcohol being harmful
to the individual and to society at
large, it continues to be consumed
by intelligent people all around the
world. Why does this persist?
The details in the body of
arguments can be complicated and
lengthy so today's chat is about
providing some structure for you
to go about understanding the
facts and what really ma ers. That
will allow you to make a be er
decision for yourself – which I
hope will be to never consume
alcohol or promote its
consumption again.
If you are someone who
does not drink alcohol you
may want to read through
the entirety of this, or just
pick and choose.
If you are someone who
drinks alcohol and wants
to give up, please read
through it from start to finish
and then repeatedly read
those parts that you feel will
increase your conviction to
give up.
If you are someone who
drinks alcohol and has no
intention of giving up,
please read through carefully
at least once.
www.fitnessguru.co.in
A Framework for Thought
To provide structure to your thoughts, I came up with the following
framework. From the point that you make a decision to drink alcohol,
there is an impact on you – zooming in inside you, right down to your
DNA. And widening out, zooming out, your choice to drink, or not, has
an impact on the world.
Zoom In or Zoom Out – alcohol has an impact
Leaving Religion Out
I am leaving out religion [and politics] from this conversation. In any
case, whether or not they prescribe you to abstain, which you might
debate infringes on your right to freedom of choice, none of the major
religions requires you to do the converse i.e. consume or promote the
consumption of alcohol.
Not just any Alcohol
When we say 'alcohol', in
drinks, strictly speaking, we
mean ethanol. Basic organic
chemistry reminds us that
alcoholic drinks contain
ethanol, a specific example
from the family of organic
compounds called 'alcohols'.
[Other examples of such
families are – aldehydes,
ketones.] Since it is ethanol
that humans consume in their
alcoholic drinks, when
anyone says alcohol with Ethanol in your drink
reference to drinks, they
mean drinks containing this specific type of 'alcohol', i.e. ethanol.
Confused? Simple – ethanol is a specific member of the alcohol family
and the only type found in drinks, but not all alcohol compounds are
ethanol.
April 2018 FITNESSGURU 35
Why am I OK with you
drinking alcohol
Who am I to be OK or not OK
with anything that you do? I
would rather you did not, but I am
accepting of anything you do that
does not harm me (or society)
directly or indirectly. So, if you do
not drive or operate heavy
machinery or expect me to pay
your medical bills (directly, or
indirectly, through taxes for state
provided public healthcare) then
you are welcome to poison
yourself as often as you wish. The
truth is that, despite what you
might think of being a benign
consumption of alcohol, you will
have a negative impact on the
world, perhaps directly, and
almost definitely, indirectly.
Alcohol and Addiction
Having been successful with
ge ing extreme alcoholics and
heavy drinkers to quit alcohol, I
know, first hand, that having an
addiction does not make a person
'bad' or 'immoral' or
'unintelligent'. Almost all those
whom I have helped have very
high IQs and hold very
responsible positions in society. If
you or anyone you know has an
alcohol problem, it is best to
provide friendly support, even for
those who have not yet decided
that they want to recover from the
addiction. Please note though that
'friendly support' to those who
have not decided to quit does not
include buying or serving them
alcohol! That is not what real
friends do! No ma er what
explanations and flimsy excuses
you are served!
The Size of the Dose – Hello
Hormesis[top]
When I spoke about Hormesis,
I referred to the idea of the size of
36 April 2018 FITNESSGURU
a dose (of anything) and your
response to it. For example, doing
zero exercise is bad for you, and at
the other end, extreme exercise
that you are not used to, is also
physiologically harmful. There is
an optimal level specific to your
condition today that is perfect for
you specifically today.
With alcohol, fortunately, no
one sensibly argues that drinking
a lot is good for you. The trick lies
[fortunate pun] at the small end of
the dose size – the 'abstention vs
light-to-moderate drinking'
debate. So, let us focus on that
next. I hope you will be convinced
that even a small amount of
alcohol consumption is unwise.
The Big Deception
it s good for you
What I call 'the big lie about
alcohol' is very easy to see
through, if one wants to. The
beneficial components of drinking
an alcoholic drink, say, red wine
or beer, are the antioxidantsthat
those drinks contain. However, the
alcohol itself is very bad for you
(see below). So, if you have been
drinking alcoholic drinks because
Throw out the ethanol
of their antioxidant properties,
please think again. A slightly
extreme analogy might be to say
“because focusing on one's breath
is good, smoking a couple of
cigare es daily is good for you”. I
am sure you can come up with
equally ridiculous examples
yourself!
You can get the same amount
of the often-cited antioxidant,
resveratrol, from a handful of
peanuts – you do not need the
ethanol! I eat peanuts almost
every day.
Recently some German
Olympic athletes have been
drinking non-alcoholic beer for
their phytonutrients (nutrients
from plants) in order to aid
recovery from training workouts.
Now that is smart!
The Big Deception
I did not know that it s
a carcinogen
It is wonderful to see that
people who drink alcohol know
that it is a large factor driving
diseases of, for example, the liver
or pancreas. However, the alcohol
industry and the rest of society
keeps a fact conveniently
underplayed – that ALCOHOL IS
A CARCINOGEN i.e. it promotes
the formation of cancer.
Fortunately, those who take
Biology GCSE today, study this
when they are aged 15. However,
those who have not been down
that path rarely come across this
simple fact! In the last 3 years,
every friend of mine that drinks
alcohol, when I tell them that
alcohol is a carcinogen, stares at
me with slight disbelief. The
message “alcohol = carcinogen”
has not spread into the world of
drinking as much as “cigare es =
carcinogen” has.
www.fitnessguru.co.in
 Rather than ethanol directly, it
is, acetaldehyde, the unstable
product of the primary pathway
for metabolizing ethanol within
humans, that is a Group 1
carcinogen, i.e. promotes the
formation of cancer.
As long as the alcohol stays in
the bo le, it will not cause you
cancer. The moment it enters your
body, it is encouraging the
initiation of cancer within you.
The French Fries
Connection
A few weeks ago, I spoke
about how Life can be Good with
French Fries. I wish I could say
that about drinking alcohol. Do
you love the grapes that wine
comes from? Eat the grapes, drink
the grape juice – exclude the
ethanol, chuck the wine! If you
are a beer drinker – go for a non-
alcoholic version – I hear that the
large beer manufacturers in
Europe are finally making non-
alcoholic beers that actually taste
similar to their alcohol containing
cousins. Apparently, a change in
the way they brew these non-
alcoholic beers today, compared
with a few years ago, ensures
greater fidelity in the ultimate
taste.
The Coffee Parallel
It is worthwhile mentioning
that in the same way that I would
like you to think about making a
distinction between the contents
of your alcoholic drink i.e. its
www.fitnessguru.co.in
plant nutrients (antioxidants,
carbohydrates) and its ethanol
(the bad stuff), we can make a
similar distinction between the
constituents of coffee – its
antioxidants and the caffeine that
it contains. I love coffee – I will
use the caffeine component in
ways that improve my
Healthspanwithout fooling myself
that I am ge ing a massively
useful dose of antioxidants.
Your Mind and Alcohol
From the moment alcohol
enters your body, your body tries
to throw it out. About thirty
seconds after your first sip of
alcohol, it makes its way into your
brain. It slows down the chemicals
and pathways that your brain
cells use to send messages. This,
in turn, alters your mood, slows
your reflexes, and throws off your
balance and coordination. You
will not realize it then but, you
will struggle to store things in
long-term memory. And that is
just the beginning.
Calories, Weight Gain and
Alcohol as a Fuel[top]
When someone who finds it
difficult to reduce body fat blames
their regular alcohol consumption,
I do not deny that that's entirely
possible. However, even 2 units of
alcohol (8 grams of alcohol in a
unit, each gram providing 7
calories) is barely the same as in a
large banana. Although other
carbohydrates (organic chemistry
again!) in your alcoholic drink
will also contribute to your
calories ingested, the incremental
gain in weight from the ethanol in
those 2 drinks is marginal. From
only the alcohol, you would need
to consume about 140 drinks to
gain 1kg. So, here, don't blame
only the alcohol content – blame
everything else around the
drinking that also contributes to
the weight gain – the calories in
the carbohydrates in the drink
that houses the ethanol, the food
consumed with it, the poor
quality of sleep, disturbance of
your circadian rhythm, missed
workout sessions, malabsorption
of nutrients, the slowdown in
DNA repair etc.
Zooming in Why
alcohol is bad for your
body
Zooming into your body
Looking at the graphic above,
we can think of you zooming in
from the level of your entire body
(the human organism) down into
your organ systems, their organs,
their tissues, the cells within the
tissues, and the intra-cellular
organelles and ultimately your
DNA. For each level of zoom, you
will find many published
scientific studies on how alcohol
(ethanol) is detrimental to your
well-being at that level.
I will not bore you with
specific examples of publications
(as you go down the tree from
organism to DNA, the number of
branches grows significantly). My
guidance, for when you read any
published literature, is to note the
date of the publication (2016 is so
much more reliable and up-to-
date than 2006). At the genetic
level, a recent study from
Professor Patel, and his team of
scientists at the MRC Laboratory
of Molecular Biology in
Cambridge, have now uncovered
the type of damage acetaldehyde
causes to your DNA.
April 2018 FITNESSGURU 37
Alcohol and Your Sleep
Alcohol affects your brain by
slowing it down. It can make you
drowsy, so you may doze off
more easily. However, you will
not sleep well. Your body
processes alcohol throughout the
night. Once the effects wear off, it
leaves you tossing and turning.
You will not get that good REM
sleep your body needs to feel
restored, and for your brain to
clean itself. In addition, you are
more likely to have vivid dreams
and nightmares. You are likely to
wake up more often for trips to
the toilet – never a good thing for
sound sleep.
Alcohol and your Liver
Your liver is called the
powerhouse of your body for
good reason. It breaks down
almost all the alcohol you drink.
In the process, it handles a lot of
toxins that are produced. Over
time, drinking alcohol makes your
liver fa y and lets thicker, fibrous
tissue build up. That, in turn,
limits blood flow, so your liver
cells will not get what they need
to survive. As these cells die, the
liver gets scars and stops
functioning adequately. Given
that your liver is so important for
metabolizing food or for
producing fuel from stored fat –
do not mess with it!
Alcohol and your
Pancreas
Your pancreas makes insulin
and other chemicals that help
your intestines break down the
food and drink you consume.
Unfortunately, alcohol hinders
and blocks that process. The
chemicals that are meant to do
their job remain inside the
pancreas. Along with toxins from
38 April 2018 FITNESSGURU
the alcohol you have consumed,
they cause inflammation in your
pancreas, which can lead to
serious damage. After years, that
means you won't be able to make
the insulin you need, which can
lead to diabetes. It also makes you
more likely to get pancreatic
cancer.
Alcohol and your
Immune System
Because the alcohol you
consume slows down your
immune system, your body will
not make the appropriate number
of white blood cells it needs to
fight germs. So, for 24 hours after
drinking, you are more likely to
fall sick because of one or more
infectious organisms inside or
around you – no thanks to the
alcohol!
Alcohol and Hormone Havoc
The hormones produced by
your endocrine system are
integral to the functioning of your
body. As a result, malfunction of
your other systems through even
moderate consumption of alcohol
will throw your body off track.
Alcohol and Sex, Sex
Hormones, Pregnancy
One example of how alcohol
affects your hormones and thus
your various systems is often
evident through sex hormones,
sexual performance or pregnancy.
In women, your periods can get
knocked off cycle and cause
problems with ge ing pregnant. If
you are man, you will not be
much of a man, as alcohol
consumption can mean trouble
ge ing an erection. There will be
an effect on your sperm count,
you will experience shrinking
testicles, and breast growth [i.e.
moobs not pecs].
Thin Bones, less Muscles
Calcium levels can be
disrupted with alcohol drinking
and, along with the hormone
changes that alcohol triggers, this
can keep your body from building
new bone. Thinner and more
fragile bones is something you
will have heard of – osteoporosis!
Because alcohol limits blood flow
to your muscles, it will get in the
way of the proteins that build
them up. So, as time goes by, you
will have lower muscle mass and
also less strength. Lower muscle
mass in the elderly is a strong
biomarker of shorter lifespans.
You have been warned!
Zooming out
Your thoughts and actions live
at the boundary between what
happens inside you, and what
happens outside you. [Puzzled?
Doesn't ma er, read on, for today,
or refer back to this.] When it
comes to drinking alcohol,
zooming out, the impact of every
bo le consumed spreads out into
the world beyond you.
As a logical person you would
like to have no negative impact on
your own body. You would not
want this at the minutest level or
the widest level. Not at the level of
the cell replication that is
happening even as you read this.
And not in terms of decline in
brain health as the months of your
life pass by.
You may not be giving much
thought to the impact of your
alcohol consumption on the world
outside your own mind and body.
Or perhaps you do think about it,
but you do not care much about it
enough. Read on…
www.fitnessguru.co.in
The Size of the Dose
When the dose is large, in the
external world besides the terror
that alcohol consumption can
cause in society, through domestic
violence, drunk driving, street
crime, and public violence, there
are many winners. All financial
winners! Alcohol and alcoholic
drink producers make larger
profits. [The formal (not including
bootleg) alcoholic drinks industry
has official sales well over USD 1
trillion.] Government tax revenues
are larger from greater sales of
alcohol. Perversely enough, the
pharmaceutical and hospital
industry, along with their
professionals also benefitfrom
greater revenues, fees and profits.
Profitable alcohol rehab clinics
would shut down if alcohol
consumption plummeted or
disappeared.
The financial component
makes the arguments about
alcohol consumption rules or
guidelines set by government and
regulatory bodies a dirty one.
And, it has been the case for a
long time in many countries.
Governments will ban 'no
seatbelts' (it helps with
advertising 'safer cars') but will
not ban cigare es (tax revenues
from and employment in the
poison industry)!
When the dose is small, once
again, the debate becomes fuzzy
for the public. Poor journalism,
often enticed by the alcoholic
beverages industry, will publish
articles incorrectly suggesting that
it is the drinking of ethanol “in
moderation” that is helping
people to live healthier and longer
than those who abstain. It is even
more shocking to see publications
by American medical doctors on
their websites suggesting that
moderate drinking is good for a
long Healthspan. Of course, those
www.fitnessguru.co.in
very same doctors will never
prescribe a small and regular
amount of alcohol to those who
do not drink! Caught in their own
wilful blindness?
So, why the paradox? Why is it
that alcohol is shown to be bad
inside us but studies seem to
show that moderate drinking in a
population outside us is good?.
Resolving the paradox:
Fortunately, in recent years,
researchers have delved deeper
and found flawed statistical
methods and data biases around
the older publications based on
population studieson alcohol
consumption. A simple example
of one such bias might be –
persons in the 'I do not drink'
category are severely unwell
because they used to drink and
have stopped for reasons of poor
health or disease. Such studies, of
course, do not find research
funding easily from drinks
manufacturers – so do not expect
there to be too many of them!
Social Drinking
When we are children, we do
not require alcohol to have a good
time. Being a psychoactive
substance, ethanol's [often
reported] impact on our
behaviour is to make us relax and
reduce our inhibitions. This is
touted as a good thing for social
gatherings. But, think about it –
we do not offer ethanol to shy
children to encourage them to
speak at social gatherings.
Perhaps society needs to consider
non-chemical and safer
alternatives to ethanol
consumption to achieve its aim of
ge ing adults to relax and be
comfortable about speaking to
others. And, then, perhaps, we can
be be er living examples for
children with our leadership!
A large number of well-
meaning adults go about their
lives drinking “responsibly” –
what they consider to be 'safe
levels' of alcohol. Please do not be
one of them. Please think! There is
no safe level! It is not too late to
make your health and safety, and
that of the world around you,
much be er.
When does Big Brother
tell us Don t Drink
Responsible authorities will
tell you to not consume alcohol in
many situations. For instance, if
you are competing in sports,
operating machinery, flying
aircraft or driving, pregnant,
breastfeeding, taking medications
of various kinds, have cancer or
other illnesses, or are below the
age of 18. The fear of 'no votes'
and appearing to infringe on your
right to drink something that is
harmful often creates a relaxation
of the rules so that the benchmark
is not “zero alcohol” but some
“safe limit” (I am rolling my
eyes!). But the truth always
surfaces – read on.
Partly because of limited
'documented research' but mostly
because of money driven vested
interests the 'safe limit' has tended
to err on the side of being 'unsafe'
instead of 'extra safe'. For instance,
in the UK, it took 21 years for the
1995 guidelines on 'safe drinking
limits' for men and women to be
lowered in 2016. If I was Mr.
Benevolent Big Brother I would
have erred on the side of
prudence to protect those under
my care. I would not wait for
irreversible harm to be done and
then try to correct it. I wonder
how many British Members of
Parliament or members of the
House of Lords have benefited
directly or indirectly from the
alcohol industry. [PhD thesis
topic, any takers?]
April 2018 FITNESSGURU 39
She is Fit at and
Drinks Alcohol Daily
When you see articles with such
headlines, please understand that
the ethanol consumption through
the life of that specific centenarian
is not what got them there. They
got there despite, not because of,
consuming the poison, as a
cumulative result of all the other
things in their Healthspan
expanding lifestyle.
Friends who Drink
You can have a wonderful time
with friends even if you do not
consume ethanol. I am a case in
point. Enough said!
Oh, ignore her. She s
being boring, she isn t
drinking today
If you have been reading all that
I have said above, you'll know that
you aren't boring, and you'll know
who is being daft! Please stay calm
and continue to have fun without
poisoning yourself.
Drinking Alcohol makes
you Cool
Ummmm… no it does not!
Read this bitagain.
Defining Culture lead
from the front, don t be a
coward
If you believe that drinking
alcohol is not good for you, the
best thing you can do for your soul
and society is to live by that belief.
Leading by example by abstaining
is the best passive action that you
can take. There is no need to
lecture others who are drinking.
Beyond explaining why it is that
you do not drink, and that too only
if asked, your duty is to yourself
and the minors under your care.
40 April 2018 FITNESSGURU
If you are the person who pays
the bills and the rent or mortgage
for the home you live in – you are
likely to be in a position to say “no
alcohol in this house”.
If there are adults who have
entrusted their healthcare (or
sickcare!) to you, please insist that
they stop drinking forever at some
date in the near future, and help
them through that process. At the
same time that there ought to be no
compulsionon any such adult
under your care, there ought to
also be no compulsion for you to
take care of anyone who insists on
poisoning themselves and who will
not try to get out of that addiction.
If you do not work to redefine
the culture around you, you will
become a slave to the culture
around you. (Puru the Guru, 2018)
The YOLO argument
You only live once! Please refer
back to this.
Is the Tide Turning
If some of the news reports I
have read are true, it seems like
that the tide is turning and fewer
people are choosing alcohol in their
drinks. There will always be lies,
damned lies, statistics and the
interest groups with agendas that
report on them! In some parts of
the world and certain sections of
society, perhaps the consumption
of alcohol is on the rise (e.g. China)
whereas in others it has been
declining (e.g. the UK). Although
the improvement trends may be
small and may not even be real, I
hope that with a be er
appreciation of how alcohol affects
us negatively, both as individual
homo sapiensand society at large,
that one day, soon, the tide of the
last few decades is reversed in a
big way.
www.fitnessguru.co.in
 A Cocktail of Ethics and
Profits
Just about every choice you
make today is influenced by a
financial profits driven
organization. Depending on the
type of person you are, the effect
of that influence will range from
“very strong” to “very weak”.
Organizations, individuals or
even governments who are driven
to make profits need not be
inherently evil – unfortunately,
they are often wilfully blind to the
need for considering ethics. If
governments were truly interested
in the health of their citizens, they
would have banned cigare es by
now. [But why aren't citizens
protesting to insist on such a ban?]
To the extent that some see a
need to profit from any addiction
(and this can range from an
addiction to physical exercise to
eventually-lethal legalmedicines)
they will always encourage
whatever increases their profits. If
beverage companies continue to
see an increasing interest in non-
alcoholic versions of alcoholic
drinks they will drive your
choices and try to satisfy your
desire in that direction – if they
foresee an increase in profit from
it. Unfortunately, other than the
sugar in drinks which can be (only
mildly) addictive, there is greater
stickiness in alcoholic drinks
because of the (greater) addictive
nature of alcohol.
When there is money in salads,
McDonald's will sell salads. When
there is money in a potato burger
they will sell that (probably only
in India!). Currently there is a
huge market for selling grape
juice mixed with ethanol (yes, I
am talking about wine) for a lot
more than the price of grape juice.
www.fitnessguru.co.in
Unfortunately, every one of the
persons I know personally, who
considered themselves
connoisseurs of wine or single
malt whiskeys, and would not
have classified themselves as
heavy drinkers, has some serious
illness or the other, including
cancer. Oh wait, there's money in
fixing those illnesses too!
Now that you know,
should you keep
drinking
If you were one of those who
was unfortunately misled into
believing that the consumption of
alcohol was beneficial, the good
news is that now you know be er.
When someone accepts that
consuming alcohol is detrimental
to their well-being and continues
to do so, I understand and
sympathize with their decision to
stay away from persisting with
self-harm.
If it is an addiction and you
wish to recover, please seek
professional help. If you want to
read why ethanol is addictive,
read this.
If you think you do not have
an addiction and want to wean
yourself off alcohol, you probably
do not need professional help, but
can help yourself by reading more
on the specific topic of “the best
way to give up alcohol”.
A Parting Request
If you have found this
conversation useful, please share
it with your family and friends
who you think could benefit from
it.
Cheers!
Puru {brewed in Britain and
Bombay, alcohol-free since 1994}
April 2018 FITNESSGURU 41
AMAZING Online Experience.. Join India’s largest ONLINE Health & Fitness Store!

TOTAL BODYBUILDING SOLUTIONS

GET FITNESS ALWAYS BUY GENUINE
EXPERT ADVICES SUPPLEMENTS

ALL M
SUPP AJOR
LEME
BRAN NT
DS

Muscle Building Fitness Clothing

Sports Nutrition Health Devices
| F itn e s s
utrition
Protein Supplements Herbal Supplements
| N
Weight Loss Products
e a lth Workout Equipment
H
Order Now Join us on /IndiasupplementTeam Online Partner

01164605555 e e H ome ®
Fr ery
09717000111 Deliv

NUTRITION
 MUSCLE BLADE
Balaji Market, Ghaziabad-201001 (U.P.) INDIA

FUEL FOR Customer Care : +91-9045 062 838

E-mail : info@muscleblade.com
Web : muscleblade.com

YOUR BODY For Dealer Enquiry :

+91-9837 006 895
/MuscleBladeIndia