Ooty Trip

Movies: Michelin Star Dishes or McDonald's Burger?

There is an 'unnecessary' controversy that has been created over 'Indian' cinema and the 'National' language. Various actors and/or publicity-seekers are jumping into the dialogue. Some Hindi movie actors said that 'Hindi' is the national language and some South Indian actors said that Hindi movies are not the only ones that qualify as 'Pan-Indian' cinema as movies in South Indian languages are finding viewers across the globe now. 

As I mentioned at the very beginning, it is an unnecessary controversy and both sides should have refrained from getting into a social-media war. Lets look at what has been discussed;

Hindi is the 'National' language

That is incorrect. I do not blame the people who believe that as we were either taught that or were made to believe that. Hindi is the official language (along with English). Though I do believe that all Indians should know (and should be 'encouraged' to know) Hindi as that would help in communication across India but then, no one should be compelled to learn the language. India being such a diverse country, it is difficult to make that change happen in near future. If at all this happens, it can happen only through people initiative. It has been working so far and there is no 'need' for any change.

Hindi Movies Get More Importance

Now, lets come to the other side of the debate, which drove me to write this blog. Its about the 'Indian' cinema. Some South-Indian actors indicated that whenever 'Indian' cinema is discussed, represented or recognized, it is the Hindi cinema or 'Bollywood', which is taken into consideration. 

I am not sure if that is genuinely the case. While it may not be 'the' justification, lets look at the list of past winners of National Award for Best Feature Film. 

Since 1953, only 12 'pure-play' Hindi movies have won the National award. It excludes 'Ship of Theseus' (Hindi and English) and 'Court' (Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and English). During the same period, 22 Bangla/Bengali, 12 Malayalam, 6 Kannada, 4 Marathi, 2 Tamil and 1 Telugu movies won awards. So, it may be unfair to say that only Hindi movies are being recognized. I agree that Hindi movies and movie stars get more media-attention and headlines. However, that is because Hindi movies are watched by a larger audience and includes some mega-stars. However, there is no biasedness or partiality as such. 

South-Indian cinema also has several mega-stars including Rajnikanth, Chiranjeevi, Mammootty, Mohanlal but except Thalaiva, others have not managed to create a significant fan-base or gain popularity outside India or their region. Of course, this is a comparative statement. I am not at all suggesting that Chiranjeevi is not popular. However, he probably is known to fewer people compared to say...Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Rajanikanth. It is a fact. This does not make Chiranjeevi a lesser actor. In fact, personally, I do not like most of the names mentioned above. In my opinion, list of best actors and most popular actors [in Indian context] seldom have common names. Among the current leading actors, I personally enjoy the work of Dhanush and Fahadh Faasil the most and I am not only talking about South Indian cinema!!

Which Movie Industry is Better?

Though it is not being said or discussed in as many words but the debate, comments and the arguments put forward seem to suggest that the 'stakeholders' want to comment on which movie industry [in India] is better!! This debate is again....unnecessary. 

If I talk about myself, I do not 'generally' enjoy Hindi movies but I end up watching a lot of them. Most of them are nonsensical formula-based movies. They do better (in terms of collections/returns/ROI) than the kind of movies I genuinely appreciate. Some of the popular South-Indian movies (RRR, KGF 1 & 2, Baahubali 1 & 2, Pushpa etc.) are also doing pretty well in terms of collections however it is important to understand that box-office collections do not necessarily mean cinematic brilliance [and vice versa]. 

If a movie is watched by more number of people, it does not necessarily become a great movie. Similarly, if a megastar is followed by a larger group of fans, it does not necessarily mean he/she is the best actor [or even a good actor]. McDonald's burger may be the most popular food item but is a McDonald's burger ever considered a great dish?? These days, almost every superhero movie sets the box office on fire but are they ever considered a genuine piece of art? 

In the field of art, popularity and sales volumes do not always mean brilliance. People watch nonsensical, formula-based masala movies because movies are watched with family and/or friends and people typically opt for pure-play entertainment for such events. For example, when I am watching a movie alone, I would watch something like 'The Lunchbox' but when I go to watch a movie with my 10-year old, I would end up watching 'Simbba' or 'Suryavanshi'. I watch a lot of movies - different genres and different languages (English, world cinema, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil....]. I look for good stories and good performances and do not restrict myself to a certain genre or language. However, for most people [even I select movies based on the mood], movies are a getaway from their regular, mundane life that is often filled with stress, depression, issues, burdens, frustration, anger. They do not want to see the protagonist go through similar emotions on-screen and would rather watch a nonsensical comedy/action!! They like to watch a hero that is larger than life...who can stand against villains, beat 100 people, romance, dance, make us laugh....and what not!! Such movies help the viewers come out of the theatre relaxed [not always though!!]. So both kind of movies are required. We need movies with a message, with a great story, with brilliant performances. At the same time, we need the nonsensical formula-based masala movies. 

We need the Michelin Star dishes but also the McDonald's burger!!!

Steps Count: Off Track

Last fortnight has not been good from health point of view. I have been fairly irregular in all aspects, including steps, swimming, exercise as well as diet. We went for a week-long holiday and I always knew that it would impact the momentum - however, it was needed as I need to ensure that the interest of others are not always getting subordinated. My daughter's summer break is going on and a holiday was required. The kid has shown unbelievable patience during COVID as we have hardly stepped out in last >2 years. 

Holiday is done and the momentum took a hit. The body also went back to behaving like previous days and when I restarted the walking and exercise, I felt aches and pain everywhere. Moreover, walking in sand on the beaches put additional pressure on the knees and I developed knee pain. 

Now, most of the issues have gone away and I need to immediately get back to the fitness regime. From today onwards, I would walk at least 10 steps everyday. And would exercise at least once a day.

Goa Trip: Some More Pics

Goa Trip: Some Pictures

Today's Swimming Session: 31 Laps

Last couple of days were not good. I missed most of the activities as I was unwell. Was feeling weak and also had some gastrointestinal issues. It was quite severe. As we also suspected that sugar level may have come down, I had fruits and proper food in past two days. I did have some junk food as well :(

Last evening, the situation was pretty bad as on multiple occasions, I felt that I would lose consciousness. May be I stretched myself a little too much.

Have got tests done to check the sugar level. Also trying some home remedies. Feeling better today. I did my gym session this morning and also went for a swim. Would complete my 10K steps walk in the evening. 

Hopefully the test results would be normal.

Swimming Trends

 

Plan of Action for Tomorrow

Here is the plan for tomorrow...

• 1 hour swim in the morning
• 10K steps
• 30-45 minutes of weight training
• Day 1 of 3-day egg-fast

Will stick to the process. Results are not in my control but efforts are.

A kick in the guts

Today was a bad day. And this blog is going to be exact opposite of my previous blog.

I got up at 5:10AM today to get ready for the workout session from 6-7AM. Though I had decided not to check the weight and concentrate on the process, I felt this sudden urge to check the weight today. I last checked the weight 5 days back and since then I have been doing everything 'right' and hence I hoped that the weighing scale would boost my morale. I was in for a rude shock. My weight has marginally increased in the last 5 days! All those strenuous exercises, hours of walking, weight training, eating light and hours of swimming meant nothing? 

It was truly a kick in the guts.

I felt so disheartened that I asked the trainer to cancel today's session. I did not go for a swim. I did not walk in the evening. And I had lots of unhealthy food today.

I am feeling DISAPPOINTED due to the weight gain. I am feeling CONFUSED as I do not why this happened. And now, I am feeling GUILTY for doing what I did today and not doing what I should have done today.

I would bounce back tomorrow.

(Pic Source/Courtesy: FriendlyStock)

Happy with the process

Good workout sessions in the past few days....

• Strenuous workout: 1 hour
• Swimming: 45 mins to 1 hour (25-30 Laps)
• Walk and/or Weight Training: ~1 hour in evening
• Also following healthy diet (low carb and moderate protein)

Not looking at the weighing scale but am happy with the process.

Today's Swimming Session: 28 Laps

Why do pools remain closed on Mondays in Hyderabad??!!??

I checked 5 pools and none of them are open on Mondays. 

Another reason why Mondays suck!!

Daily Steps Count: Trends

Almost 1 month of Mission Health: Report Card

It has been almost a month since I started my journey towards regaining fitness and it has been a TOUGH month....physically and emotionally. 

From Saturday, 12th March, I started checking what I eat. Exercise (walk) started from 13th March. However, the week of 14th March was not a great week. My sister was here; we celebrated Holi and like all Indian festivals, there was lot of good food involved. Though I tried to check things, I cannot say it was a good/successful week.

Activities

Activities started in real terms from 23rd March 2022. That is when I hired a personal trainer. The guy comes to my place everyday and I workout with him for 1 hour every morning from 6-7AM. Saturdays and Sundays are 'rest days' but I workout [without him] even on weekends. He tries to mix things. My workouts are not same on any day of the week. It involves cardio, weight training and even boxing [I love the days on which we do boxing!!]. It has been working pretty well so far as it does not get monotonous. 

In addition, I try to walk 10,000 steps everyday. And from 2nd April, I started swimming. I go for a swim right after my morning workouts and this happens everyday except Monday [the pool remains closed for weekly cleaning and/or maintenance].

Diet/Food

Food plays 70-80% role and I have been trying to check what I eat. I am following a 'Low Carb - Medium Protein' diet. There is no sugar, rice, roti, bread, milk, butter etc. Animal protein (chicken) is limited to 150 grams per day but I do not have it every day. (Note: I have been posting some pics of my meals on this blog). I have also tried to reduce the quantity but I ensure that I do not starve myself as that would only be counter-productive. 

I have also been trying some detox and plateau-breaking diets. These involve either [mostly] liquid diet or other diets like egg-fast. In fact, I am doing an egg-fast right now [its Day 2] and I would do it for at least 1 more day. In this diet, I have eggs [minimum 6 a day], cheese cubes [3 per day] and soda [3 per day] only. I have tried egg-fast in the past and it helps in quick weight-loss. However, it is important to do a proper transition and continue to workout or I stand a risk of regaining all the weight lost during the egg-fast. These are things that I am attempting to see what works and also to keep things interesting. We will see how it goes. Its a long journey...

Results

I have indeed lost weight but not at the rate I was expecting/hoping. In the past, similar diet but fewer activities have given better results in terms of weight-loss. However, this time around, things are very different. Since 12th March, I have lost 6 kgs but weight-loss has been quite erratic. There were days on which I did not do much [comparatively] but lost weight and then... there were days on which I almost 'moved a mountain' but I ended up gaining few hundred grams!!! 

So now, I am no longer focusing on weight-loss and am concentrating on the process. If the process is right, the results would definitely come...sooner or later. At least, that is what I keep telling myself. 

I do feel inch-loss and also, I feel more energetic these days. So, definitely some positive developments.

Challenges

Aches, pain, hunger are some of the challenges but they are manageable ones and do not bother me. What does bother is uncertainty regarding future. I have taken a big step and it could back-fire irrespective of what I do or do not achieve from health point of view. But when results do not show [discussed above] then the negative feelings get much stronger. I always knew that this journey would be draining....physically, emotionally and financially but I also knew that it is important and must be given top priority. Yet, the demons of negativity and uncertainty trouble me quite often. That is the challenge. I have never been in this situation and it is proving to be difficult. So difficult that on most days, I try to avoid speaking to my 'friends'. 

But ya, no matter how depressed I get [it happens usually in the evenings], I do not allow that to impact the physical activities and diet. So far, so good....lets see how things  [ and I] shape up in future...

Next Steps

I would continue to do what I am doing in terms of food intake as well as physical activities. My trainer has been increasing the intensity and the activity would increase in coming days. I have been trying to increase the laps in swimming but that may not be possible. Summer vacations have started in most school out here and the pool remains chaotic. So, not sure if I would be able to increase the laps and the time but I would try to increase the speed and ensure that I complete at least 20 laps everyday. I have been working out and swimming in the morning and walking in the evenings. I will try to include one more activity in the day. Would love to play squash but probably not the best idea due to the weight I am carrying. Will find something.

Wish me luck!!! 

Ananya 'Tyson' Ajay

 

It has been 18 days since I started my mission to regain fitness. I have been checking what and how much I eat. I have increased water consumption. I have been walking regularly. And I have recently started working out as well. However, the results so far have not been satisfactory. The weight has not come down much. :(

Yes, I do feel more energetic these days and that is a clear plus.

Hope to get positive messages from the weighing scale in coming days...

Steps Tracking

 

Today's Report Card

 

Today's Step Count

Dinner

Today's Dinner:

• 3 Pieces of Achaari Soya Chaap
• Omelette of 2 Whole Eggs (Mom made it and it was delicious!!)
• Glass of Fresh Lime Soda (Sugarfree)