Fitness to Freedom

Usually, when people put on a lot of weight, they get into an activity which helps them reduce weight. That activity could become their passion, an unseen dream or simply a daily routine due to habits formed.

My idea of Fitness however little I have known and experienced over past 2.5 years is a lot different. Here is my blog to talk about it and also go gaga about it!

It was early September, 2017 when I just knew if I never acted upon my body shape, it could just blot a way too lot to allow me to fit into any clothes, have a pot belly for years and it could just make me look someone I did not want to see in me. I saw myself looking pretty ugly in the 2 full sized mirrors on my wardrobe each morning, each evening after work.

I remember, Mr. Jilani Shaikh - some sort of fitness trainer who was friends with my then tennis coach (I barely managed playing as a beginner after June 2017 as work kept me busy with tax seasons and new events), who used to train Govind, an acquaintance and tennis player at CCI club. 

I decided to see him one morning at 9 am at Wodehouse Gymkhana, he greeted me well. She smiled at me and gave me the form to fill and join Tuesday and Thursdays at 730 am. I knew some big change is about to happen. I was also in a duality of the mind as to how will I manage this. I live at Malabar Hill and work at Fort. To wake up at 6ish, reach for the workout, shower the Gymkhana and carry tonnes of baggage, reach office at 10 am…oh my god. That worried me up!

1^st Day at workout, I managed to reach in time. I showered in a not so equipped Wodehouse Gymkhana. I reached work. At work, I could feel my muscles jamming and slowly and steady as the week passed by I saw two changes.

I would feel my muscles tensing up but could realize something inside me is changing. Could never explain what and how. I started getting comfortable with now Jilani Sir, a coach one must have for one life! His way and abilities to shape your day through his class is silent and like that of a meditation teacher. Let me come back to him as we progress.

I started changing at CCI, I left my bags at the reception for my father to pick it or left the car at the club but ensured a good breakfast would reach satisfy my hunger pangs. Most times, I would walk from club to office and eat the breakfast sent by mom. I was more keen on that, as it saved immense time. I would be at work at times till 10.20 (1.5 hours after a good workout), crunching and waiting for my ghar ka khana. That allowed me to learn to be patient. Usually I am cranky without food. But I could sense myself OK.

As the time passed by and as I registered myself for ACCA last attempt to be given in March 2018, I started to know I had lots to do with guitar class as well. Work was no less. Kept me engrossed, but focus was diluting though hard work and commitment for anything never diminished. I could not see a guide to mentor me. I only picked up what to focus on depending on the time and need of the hour. But, today I know what I need to do and what to ignore for the best of me to be able to be best I can, leaving myself to unlearn and relearn always.

So the training was sailing through, I could run better than an aunty I used to run like. I could feel energy and was able to see myself stronger enough than before. Well, this was the beginning.

The middle was not dreampt of. 28^th Feb 2018, an amazing trip after Bali just finished a month back, ACCA exams were 7 days around the corner and boom that morning I woke up with a jolt and severe upper torso pain. I had frozen. I had ignored my cervical pains for 12 days and popped in anti biotics without showing a doctor and only consulting on the phone. I should have gone to a physical therapist or for diagnosis. I thought it was some random nerve pull. Well no it was an attack of acute cervical spondylitis, it was because I was reading my neck down deep in the books, stress of upcoming Professional Exams, fear of failing, and long sitting posture at work and home study desk.

I wasn’t exercising since 20 days or more. The muscles had become tight. I just had left my training in the middle after and just a few days before Bali. 1 month the body could have been in shock. It died in the torso. The nerve pulled from the tip of my nail to the traps and into the shoulder blades and UFF, Ouch and God I can die were those feelings of the pain.  

I thought to myself, am I getting some attack of paralysis, or would I need a surgery. I rushed to Jilani sir by texting at 5 am. Mom put me socks and shoes. I was in terrible condition where I could not even move an inch. I reached Wodehouse with dad, jumping in the car and just had one word Ouch Ouch as much as the breaks were pressed. I don’t wish to reimagine that.

Sir, knew I was locked and asked me to roll ball on the muscle. I felt some relief for few seconds and again the pain came together and my face became colourless. Sir, saw me, tears rolled down as I saw him, I could not take that pain. I called my old Physical Therapist Mrs. Rupa Mehta who I went to in 2012 for spinal spondylitis and she was referred to me for core strengthening. I knew I would get an answer.

Thankfully, she took me at 9 am into her clinic and her junior Ms. Saloni Parikh (Doctor) diagnosed me. She was clear what it was but said you will give the exam. I knew I was normal and no surgery was required. Uff, while crossing the road to reach the doctor, I felt a car would hit me. Dad was also in shock to realize I could not turn left and right to cross the road rightly.

Nevertheless, I cried buckets for 3 days and studied too. I would exercise as per routine of the doctor each 15 minutes, the basic chin tucks. I had to lift myself up from the bed with a towel around the neck. Mom nursed me like GOD. I could not eat, brush my hair, pullover the bedsheet, bend down to turn the room lights on or off….basics had to be done by mom. I ensured I was best not to trouble her. She even fed me as for the first 2 days I could not take my neck forward, touch my phone and not even touch food.

The nerves were killing me. I felt 10 knives cutting through my shoulder blade. This thought gives me shivers and it makes me do my ore strengthening exercises even TODAY daily!

I failed the exams, mom was worried and I knew I would be in pain. The 7 days revision time was spoilt and I could not achieve even 50%. Or marks that I could achieve how much ever I knew ACCA needed.

I consulted my friend Dr. Siddharth Shah – a fantastic Orthopedic Surgeon in Mumbai. He was so sweet not to charge his fees too. He told me to stop going for fitness, drive not too much and wrote me a prescription. Jilani sir was in touch with me throughout this phase.

I wore the cervical belt to work. It used to suffocate me. I could not take it. I had ointments, sprays and medicines. I did not like this. I felt I was carrying a clinic with me. I knew I had to STOP this. Then the magic! I found on a recommendation by my school friend Dr. Ishani, Dr. Manoj – Osteopath. He is a living Magic! I was looking for an osteopath and happened to speak to Ishani one day and she said try going to him, you may feel relief in one sitting.

That day was so good. My heart expanded and in 5 sittings he informed me that I was alright.

The pain from mid Feb stopped somewhere in June. This was really a long time.

I had gained more weight, my tempo of workout instead of increasing had fallen to 0 again. But I never lost courage. My family never allows me to lose it. It is Guru’s grace. My brother Raman was very supportive at work and for ACCA. He told me to take early leave from office and focus on health. I felt sorry, but I had no choice as June attempt was really critical.

As soon as the June attempt finished, despite Manoj sir asking me not to go for weight lifts and trainings, I resumed with JS fitness (Jilani sir). I kept the neck high and he ensured I do not life weights or crunch. I could only do exercises that do not keep my neck bent or strain my neck forward or lean me forward.

Dr. Saloni was visited a few times to taken needles and physical therapy as the weight was coming on my back. Also, she was closer and quicker than reaching Manoj sir. I liked to be with both of them. They were caring. And that’s what we need in any professional.

Wall Pushs, rowing, running, skipping, tyre up and down added to my stamina. I used to see different coaching to different students and told myself that I also want to do this. I never set a time line, went with the flow. Did not want to shock the body. Jilani sir was caring and so protective that he wouldn’t allow me to lift even an extra kilo. He was around watching me and his sight is that of a kite. He can bring spotless perfection in you when it comes to workout.

I was serious. I failed ACCA. I cried buckets. My heart shattered. I couldn’t take that. I was not prepared for more studies and strain on the neck due to sitting with upcoming September audits.

I felt what if I would drop out!!! Parents and my best friend Noel and Harshit came to my rescue. They handled my childish questions and they knew I still would appear for exams. Neha Chopra my old friend while talking after long on the phone, happened to tell me – IF INTERNATIONAL TAX IS YOUR PASSION, WHY WOULD YOU GO FOR ANY OTHER SUBJECT?

That conversation which happened without any reason but for a reason tickled me. I stretched my mind to think. Pondered to see if I could find the write Country for International Tax. BCAS friends helped! Their references did. Specially Mr. Rashmin Sanghvi’s friend Mrs. Patel in UK was so kind that I never turned back.

Then, the selection was made. UK tax for ACCA – Goal was to PASS and for that I surely needed a teacher. I did not want to do it alone. I called my old referred friend through Harshit – Shriram. He referred me to Pratham Barot – a topper of Int tax at ACCA running his own class. I was tutored by his colleague Vidhi Shah.

Meanwhile, I continued with my training at fitness, new Harmonium and vocals and forgot the guitar. I could not manage everything. All I knew I had to crack ACCA. It was December 2018 and I had stopped fried, sweets and rice since a month. I did not know what was it to lose weight. Some inches of the belly did not shrink though the glutes and thighs trimmed.

Brinda – a new friend at workout told me STOP Sugar, she hasn’t had it for 12 YEARS!!! I did not want to eat bitter. She suggested Stevia. That new taste made me stop tea and coffee. I only had black coffee. It helped me to stay up for weekend classes, mornings for workout and vocals and ofcourse at work. I would also remain up studying daily as I had to study and revise everything that was taught at the weekend class by Vidhi.

All this was making me fit internally. The freedom of the body was transpiring. But the mind was in it’s own trip. It was emotional, tensed, worried and anxious with so many activities. I never realized that. I would get irritated but never had the time to sit and ponder. Really no TIME!!!

It took me 4 months from Feb 2019 to May 2019 to lose 7 kilos, totallying to 10 kilos. I was 65 on the weighing scale. I felt so GOOD. I had cleared ACCA by then. Then came the Road trip to Switzerland. I felt the energy in my body. I could drive long routes and pay attention to the minutest details. I could focus on what was next.

The years 2017 to 2019 were eventful. A lot was happening on daily basis. From dad’s retirement, to ACCA, from new investment to handling people at work, from writing, planning at BCAS to participating. It was a Great experience. I learn a HELL LOT!

An element of successful completion the year was Fitness. It gives you focus. A zeal to reach to the zenith. Nothing really is enough. No workout is tough, no work is tough, nothing is impossible, no pain is constant, no event fearful, no time is against you SO LONG AS YOUR MIND IS WITH YOU.

Fitness training has become a part of me. It has given me a purpose. My dad is stronger than 10 youths added to one piece at 73!!! The diet is very important. If you do not treat the body as holy device you are going to crack it up any time sooner. Fried, sweets and sugar are poison!

You can add them to your body and ensure you remove them before they turn into toxics. I will call it fat. One is not fat with the body, but people’s attitude is FAT. It is so fat that nothing really can get it and nothing really can get out.

Fitness changes that. It changes you and things around you. It makes you survive the whole day with pumping energy. Sure, you do need good sleep but without one you can still fight the day. You feel better. You feel a drive for the things that you really want to do. You become errorfree and careful.

You are tolerant with your self and that reflects in your performance, your speech, you ability to manage people. Jilani sir – a coach who stands on his feet more than 9 hours on his feet, is awake from 6 am to 11 pm is one of the finest persons and teachers I could ever find.

He is magic like Saloni maam, Manoj sir, Siddharth & my friends Rachit, Harshit, Noel and Shriram were. Ofcourse, my Parents were the fuel to my fire, they let it burn. They have their own issues but it never comes in my way for workouts, food and education and learning. They have a simple theory, spend money to eat and learn. Spend money on things you need. I like that concept and it is practical. They never complaint and their support is too much to ask for!

Fitness sets you free. It sets you on the tracks that lead to your small milestones that you wish to achieve step by step. Calling it addictive is too negative. I would call it breathing, a way of life, the way it should be, a tool to focus and set your body to be able to physically shift you where your mind needs to be.

Are the Professionals using their personal hours too?

Ahimsa, Adharma, Ashanti, and Asatya was penetrated into the Indian mindset by beloved Bapu. On his birthday today, I wish to dedicate this to fellow professionals and the countrymen who make India proud. A nation with an undying dream and burning desire for Growth.

We did become independent decades ago, but do we feel free? Are we in a right sweet spot each minute of our work and life balance? Do we feel the treatment right from the Government all the time?

It may be Modi or Congress, I am not speaking who is better and why. Of course, the PM is highly regarded with the utmost reverence by me and this article only is about the way the time is spent by the Professionals.

CA - when interns come to us for an interview, they wish to do CA as one is looked upon with great respect, they say it is prestigious. Well, for a while now I have my doubts.

Banks, Assessing Officers, Investigation cells, family members of the client, Board of Directors, Shareholders, Entrepreneurs all of them need a CA. No one can ever say in today's time, I am ok not to have a CA around.

But, the question is, is there enough self-commitment from those who need us? Does the government give us a platform with virtual assistance, or are we always needed to reach them physically? May it be as small as PT, as small as rectification or as much as GST enquiry, one has to visit the offices physically.

The best part is to realize whether the concerned person will be present or would have gone for sick leave, Navratri, Diwali, whatsoever whenever.

Officers and Inspectors refuse to come on the telephone line and see all the taxpayers as Pirates and take professionals as the Captain of their ships.
No no no, this is uncalled for by young India, fresh India.

The lower level and lower-ranked officers do not know what they are doing. They do not realize how much time are they wasting of the Judiciary for reseeing the law of the land all the time.

Unpreparedness, unreadiness is penetrating when there is a change in the law in the legal departments, but the baton of fulfilling the requirement is left to the Professionals.

There is a "GO FIGURE IT OUT ATTITUDE" at Tax Department levels until now, and at this hour we can only see long hours of work with only Management of time which has to match a deadline.

6 -9 months of the year are lived in the past life, for previous financial year/s. Can except the Government think of growth? The minds get tired and all we are doing is fighting a law. My question, why? Why is it that we need to curse ourselves due to the changes every minute.

I do not remember a day when there was no notification or no change in law.

Can't the government work in sacrosanct to be able to merge the technological advancement? Can they stop calling for gigantic information that scanners and machines crash with loads of paperwork being asked for? Why would someone ask for information already available with them?

If the professional leads the poser to see their Big Data, the orders can come against the Client being assisted. Constant anxiety and fear exist.

Think of those who are one-man army in today's time. The scenario is like Walmart eating away all the small shopkeepers. Likewise, the changes will kill the proprietors. On the hindside, we want the entrepreneurs to come up. But, how will they create employment when innumerable Labour Laws exist.

Beyond the labor law for the protection of wage earners, what more are they getting from the government? What protection? Have they read those laws?
45 national laws and more than 200 State Laws for labor.

You gotta be kidding me!

Who will create a workforce if this is the state of the land?

Like demonetization, we should cut the laws overnight. Once the Minister of Law has to come on the podium and rescind as many laws as possible.

Those pending matters at the Labour Commissioner should be heard by a higher bench and the deadline should be of the next 6 months. I do not think there is a problem with the population with intelligence to solve this. The country has CAs and Lawyers and enough Charitable organizations to stand up for Organization and the workers.


Who will take charge for the above? Who will be ever able to come together to give this clearance in one shot? There is enough of the past and enough in the present for the professionals to deal with daily to work for a cause and assist their client.

It is a double whammy, the Government has to stop chasing those having good track records. Those who are appealing in higher forums should not be questioned annually for their way of conduct of business. There has to be clarity.

One wing should be able to dissect the big data into pieces to evaluate who can be questioned and why. It can be based on AIR information which is computer generated. It is senseless in the time of technology change. Gone are those old days when men work to figure our who should be questioned.

Change the law in favour of the citizens and citizens will change for the good of the land.

My patience is less to even speak of Traffic living in Mumbai.

P.S. I am not against anyone, any Government, nor for any nation outside my Country.

Everyone has a right to speak and I am just using that as the writer in me will always stay alive!

War of The Words - A Tale which Masters ain't articulating enough

After my blog on power of words which explained what can words do, what kind of energies do they have, I present the saga of why use words in the first place? First is how much resource do you have, and how to use it.


Demand and Supply, Availability and necessity also apply to Words.
When we know that oxygen, time, speech is freely available without any restriction; we use them recklessly. Rather we may not breathe fully, but surely keep yapping and vomiting words around for no reason at all.

When we allow any non sense to creep in our zones, we must realize we will speak rubbish to after one point. The idea is to keep shut and close the doors of the head?

Now first question comes to an average person is : Why should I? How can I control my words?

HAHAH, for those who cannot control their lives, controlling words may become the most impossible. So let's see the why? Speaking barely or less hmmnnnn. let me rephrase speaking in control and choosing the right words not only keep the energy within us but that let's us be connected to ourselves.

The focus and ability to enhance the creative mind increases to an extent that the wise mind is activated. The Emotional mind takes a back step, not to totally shut it down, but allowing the logical mind to mix with it, to make you feel wiser.

The moment you feel wiser, which most times may not happen, as either you are too low or too high, you will realize that the pendulum of the mind tick toking comes to a serene halt.

The MIND is where the Heart is! When you Heart dreams of anything selfless (Selfishness is wide enough to only consume yourself, it is apparent from behaviour and your actions);  you will see to it what you speak is careful & focussed.

Have we ever thought at the end of the day, if we asked the right question? Did we stop while others gossiped? Did we tell them how this habit can become like smoking 20 cigarettes a Won't we realize Universe is recording it and then we keep calling Karma the Bitch!

Oh no, not at all. Buy a full size mirror and look at your full body. Are you overgrown becuase while chewing your food, you gossiped and spoke racklessly, or did you focus on what is going in inside of you? Hindus consider their body temple and rather each morsel is to be considered as PRASAD if that be the case. Don't we feel food that we eat is given by the Lord!

Then, why not think the power to speak and ability to form words from syllables is given by HIM!

What would you do if there were limited words allowed in the day? Whom would you speak to and how? What would you talk about?

I see it positively, only lectures and sessions of tutors may suffer in case the speakers exceeded the daily limit otherwise. But imagine, the peace around you, the silence which could play you the symphonies of ultimate blissful music.

You could possibly hear all the noises around you from the printer throwing an output on 2 sided printing, to the phone ringing, to the old woman coughing to the cracking noise of the door to the wheels of the chair to the strum of the string instrument, to the the parking sound of the car, to the glass been kept on the table, to the doors of the cabinet being shut, to the old man walking with a cane.

Could n't we find more beauty in these small things and be happy with humanity? Do we need God to remind us always we are born of him? or may be for Him?

Cant we think that what can we do different today with the use of words? Oh yes, we are scared!!! SCARED  to lose relations, scared of being assumed to have changed. Really its a false belief. You are creating oops, living in a world of hysteria!!!!


By assuming if I do not answer this call or reply I will be disowned? Oh if I do  reply to this message I will become small or If I do not speak 10 people will come ask me if I am ok or am I unwell? Is there anything wrong with me.

Ah Common, take a break folks!

See the words we use, measure them. Use the measure tape in your head for one day and feel the difference.


Part 1 - Signing Off.

Yours Truly

Seeing Divinity in others
Divya

May Marathon of thoughts

1. You call those people in history ex as you are to put a cross 'x' on them. Don't expect the Yes in form of a 'y'. You must put that cross and accept that yes it's gone reach the end that's z. That is the only way you can start your ABCD.

The plan is to unlearn and relearn.

2. Confusion and complexities are due to lack of Clarity. L stands for losers and B for braves. So when L becomes B, you have a back of Clarity. And that is 100% Objective and undubious.

3. Directive and Request have two differences. Directives are strategies. Requests make you lose a lot of strategies.

Directives give you guidance and the path to closure. Requests give you ability to become judgemental and powerless.

4. In the world of Artificial Intelligence- we have become artificial and lost our intelligence.

To avoid the machine to man us, we need to man the machine.

I rest my thoughts.

Signing off