Can running help control blood pressure and cholesterol? Yes, say Lucknow’s Amartya and Nutan Sinha, who went from being ‘unhealthy foodies’ to prize-winning marathon runners.
Overweight, critical health conditions -chose natural means to gain health. The couple who couldn’t run 500 meters are now marathon runners. Running can change you, and when you share those miles with someone, they change your relationship. Running with your spouse can further improve your relationship; most of us have experienced how running with someone produces deep conversations and fosters meaningful bonds.
Can running help control blood pressure and cholesterol? Yes, say Lucknow’s Amartya and Nutan Sinha, who went from being ‘unhealthy foodies’ to prize-winning marathon runners.
Here’s the story.
What would unhealthy eating and weight gain do to your body? Leave behind your favorite clothes not fitting you, your body becomes a hub to a galaxy of problems. Your metabolism is affected badly, you might develop health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, acidic issues, etc. that might lead to severe problems in the long run. Eating junk can turn your body into junk. When improper eating is coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, then imagining the consequences of this alone can be terrible. That’s what has exactly happened with Amartya Sinha. When he was alerted about his deteriorating health condition, he realized the reason behind it. With the help of his wife, Amartya changed his lifestyle and from not being able to run 500m to running marathons, Amartya’s story is a motivating force.
For Amartya Sinha (50) and his wife, Nutan Sinha (46), residents of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, the internet was their fitness coach, and having each other’s company was all the support and motivation they needed.
It was a routine blood check-up for Amartya in 2018 that led the duo to start working out.
“I was an unhealthy ‘foodie’. I ate a lot of fried food and weighed over 100 kilos. However, after a blood test, the doctor pointed out that my blood pressure was too high. He suggested that I take medicines to keep it in control. But, I did not want to depend on medication, so I requested him to suggest a natural alternative,” says Amartya, who runs an IT firm.
A Blood Test Revealed It All:
In 2018, Amartya Sinha, who hails from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh went to a routine blood check-up. The doctor diagnosed him with high blood pressure and recommended with required medication. But Amartya decided not to depend on medicines and asked the doctor to suggest natural ways to control them. Amartya was a foodie and munched on a lot of fried food. He also weighed above 100 kilos. But his knowledge about the rise in blood pressure triggered in him, the zeal to switch to a healthier lifestyle. This might sound like a routine fitness story but it has quite a lot of driving force in it.
Wife Nutan Sinha – His Best Companion:
Amartya Sinha runs an IT firm and his lifestyle needed drastic changes in order to be back in health. In this journey, his wife Nutan Sinha stood by his side. In order to motivate him every day, she decided to exercise with him regularly. On the day when he started his journey towards a healthy lifestyle, he weighed 104 kilos and had complaints of high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Day one started with a walk in the nearby park. Amartya walked around the park in the evenings and eventually, he bumped into some YouTube videos where he learned to do some stretching exercises. Slowly, he began to run around the park and on the road. Never he could run beyond 500 meters. Also, Amartya could not maintain consistency in his exercise routine. Had he been late to home in the evenings, owing to work or meetings, Amartya would skip his workout. Things didn’t seem to work and it is then that Amartya sought the advice of senior runners who suggested he work out in the morning. Following their advice, Amartya and his wife Nutan framed a workout plan. They would begin their day at 5:30 am. Nutan had to cook for her son who goes to college. So she woke up at around 4 am and finished her work in the kitchen and then set to work out with her husband. The couple motivated each other and stuck to their routine. “The workouts helped her stay active throughout the day”, said Nutan Sinha.
Noticeable Changes:
Three months of consistency brought great changes. Before talking about Amartya’s weight, it’s good to talk about how fit he turned. Casual walking and running around the park turned into running for longer distances. Amartya and Nutan could run to about 10km. Eventually, they also started to follow cross-fitness training methods that included strength training, yoga, cycling, etc. which improved their endurance. As months passed, the duo became fit enough to run 50km. “Doing this helped us improve our stamina and even gave us the confidence to participate in our first marathon,” says Amartya. The duo never took formal fitness training and have never been to any fitness center. All they followed was the YouTube videos. They worked on changing their diet plan and said NO to oiled and fried foods, sugar, and refined oil. “We also ensure to eat before 8.30 pm so that our digestive systems wouldn’t affect our morning run,” says Amartya.
The Marathon Runners Couple: Nutan Sinha and Amartya
Amartya and Nutan participated in their first competitive marathon in Lucknow in 2018. It was a 10 km race in which Nutan emerged in first place in her age category. “I completed the race in a decent time but needed to practice more. And even though I did not win a podium place, the biggest victory was that I did my first run,” says Amartya.
In the year 2019, they participated in 42km and 21km marathons. Amartya Sinha now weighs 84 kilos and is an ultra runner. He is free of blood pressure and other complications like diabetes. He is also the recipient of the PROCAM-SLAM medal that which is presented to the participants who run 10, 21, 25, and 42 km races across four cities in the country — Bengaluru, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, within a stipulated time. On the other hand, Nutan is a long-distance runner and is also the brand ambassador for marathons organized in Lucknow. So far, the duo ran five marathons in three years and participated in in-stadium runs too. “In one race, Nutan Sinha completed 46kms while I completed only 38kms. She will always be a better athlete than me.,” says Amartya.
“In one such race, Nutan Sinha completed 46kms while I completed only 38kms,” says Amartya, adding that his wife will always be a better athlete than him.
Tips to Begin Your Fitness Journey
Through their website — Runbaaz, the couple now share their fitness knowledge with others who are starting their fitness journey.
Here are some quick tips from Amartya and Nutan Sinha for beginners:
1. Always do your workouts in the morning.
2. Invest in a pedometer that tracks your progress and shows you your heart rate. Amartya says this is crucial for those above 45.
3. Wear comfortable shoes.
4. Start with short workouts but maintain consistency and regularity.
5. Work out with a group or a friend to stay consistent.
If you wish to follow their journey or know more, follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
