Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you think that mental wellbeing plays a very important role in your physical fitness? What do you practice for mental wellness?
Ms. Sonali Swami
Maintaining peace of mind is really crucial as we can very easily get irritated or disturbed due to current restrictions and lockdown. Cut down on your TV time and try to do activities that the whole family enjoys. It could be playing cards, carrom, quiz sessions, arts/drawing, and dance sessions. I and my kids particularly enjoying JustDance videos on youtube and dance along with it. Spending more time with our family, having meals together are great means of keeping mental peace in these stressful times. For me, my 5 AM morning walk is my ME time which I have been continuing for more than 7 years.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What’s your advice for new or expecting moms? Also any instructions for women who want to pursue body-building while nursing their babies. When is the right time to intensify one’s workout routine after childbirth?
Ms. Sonali Swami
I believe that fitness is for everyone. It is specially more important for women as they are the backbone of our family. If the woman of the family is not fit and healthy, how can she be able to take care of others. Most women think that their life is over once they get married and have children. We have to change this mindset among Indian women. Age is just a number. Only when the woman of family is fit and healthy, the rest of the family also follows in the footsteps and takes fitness seriously. If we want to make India a fit nation, it can’t happen without women taking the lead.
For new mommies, I would say that first consult your doctor if you are OK to start with your physical exercises. 2-3 months after childbirth, you can start slowly with mild exercises like a walk or jog. After 4-5 months, Then slowly start picking up strength training exercises like bodyweight squats, lunges, pushups, etc.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you think over the years women have changed their perception towards fitness and diet?
Ms. Sonali Swami:
Ofcourse. If we see in earlier generation, women in general never paid much attention to their own fitness. Physical fitness for women was totally out of question after they were married. It was mainly restricted to sports women only. Now we see a dramatic rise in awareness among women to stay fit and healthy. Now we see a lot more women inside gyms and fitness studios specially for Yoga, Zumba and Aerobics. Still I see there is some apprehension about weight training among some women but that is also changing. Women have also started to realize the importance of strength training as part of overall fitness regime.
My vision is to see India a fit nation. I am working towards increasing awareness among Indian women into fitness and help everyone I can with my knowledge and experience to live a healthy and disciplined lifestyle and ensure a stress-free environment.