Charting one’s entrepreneurial journey perhaps starts from the mind and this is exactly what the young scion of Videotex International Pvt. Ltd. did. Arjun Bajaj is CEO and Founder of home brand ‘Daiwa’ under its flagship company, Videotex - one of India’s premier LED television ODM (original design) and OEM (original equipment) manufacturer, with a track record of over 33 years. Arjun began his entrepreneurial journey in 2016 with his business plan to launch three sizes of smart TVs with an investment proposal of less than Rs.5 lakh via online sales partnership and the rest as they say, is history. He shares his hands-on fitness tips which largely revolves around simple facts of eating right and being consistently active
“In my daily workout, running is like a ritual, apart from which, I also bring focus to weight training and functional workouts; the benefits of which differs from other workouts because of the way it targets your body. These workouts prep your body for various forms of daily activities and helps build body strength and endurance”, said Arjun Bajaj, CEO and Founder of DAIWA® (Videotex International Pvt. Ltd).
A basketball enthusiast since his childhood, he pursues this sport over the weekend. “Basketball was my favorite sport and I was even a part of the basketball team in my college days. So, my love for sports triggered me into fitness. To play any sport, one needs to be fit and in a good shape. And for that, my friends suggested me to join a gym along with them. Working out has since become part of my routine. Now, my day feels incomplete without a workout, and so I make sure to start my day with a good workout session”, he said.
Always a sports lover, Arjun has taken his fitness to a different level. He has lately developed a liking for bodyweight single legged squats and TRX (total resistance exercise) training. “This really involves all your muscles throughout the workout and burns your fat down in just 45 minutes”, he said.
He believes that workout results vary with people as each one has different reasons for working out. “For me, the initial years of workouts (fitness routines) were primarily focused on losing weight and building muscle. However, over a period of time, my goal has evolved into keeping my mind and body healthy. The focus is on ‘getting fit and staying fit’ establishing the mind-body connection”, he adds.
“My day starts at 6:30 am where I have hot lime water with honey and sometimes an apple with it. I hit the gym by 7:15 am and do my cardio for 20 minutes which includes stair climbing/treadmill/ cross-trainer,” he said. He follows it up with weight training or HIIT (High-intensity interval training) for 45 minutes. His weight training includes working around muscle categories of the chest/triceps, back/biceps and legs/shoulders. He alternates his workout with HIIT that includes bodyweight exercises and working out with Kettle bells and/or TRX. “Post workout, I do my stretches and back strengthening exercises such as Hip Bridges/ CAT/Camel or superman”, he adds.
Exercising on a regular basis can be a task for Arjun too. Even for a fitness enthusiast and entrepreneur, “Hitting the gym daily becomes a tasking job, considering my travel schedule. These days I barely have enough time for the important things, so exercise often seems like “something else” you have to do. Not only does it take time to do it, but you have to pack the right clothes, coordinate the activity, exert energy and shower afterwards. Sometimes, the whole experience seems like a major hassle. Having said that, I have conditioned my mind and body to follow a routine, which includes fixed workout schedules, sufficient sleep followed by a fitness programme at work and sports. My guilt trip with sweets is a major challenge too”, he adds.
Having had to face the usual fitness challenges as part of his busy schedule, he advocates taking the stairs instead of the elevator. “Besides, turn your work commute to exercise, take a meeting outside and walk (exercises mind too) and meet up with clients at the gym. Above all, eat right - as most of the fitness begins first with food,” he adds.
Having participated in a 30-Day Fitness Challenge, he said that each day, one should take up a different mini-challenge. “This beats boredom and works your muscles efficiently because your body won't expect the different exercises. Whether you're new or skilled at working out; each mini-challenge is tiered to challenge any fitness level. The goal is to get you stronger, fitter, and healthier in a month—without getting bored, he said.”
“Turn your work commute to exercise, take meeting outside and walk, (exercises mind too) and meet up with clients at the Gym. Above all, Eat Right – as most of the fitness begins first with food”
Arjun BajajHe follows a nutrition regime which tries to reduce processed foods. “Declare an outright ban on sugary drinks in the workplace which are often all too easily available. Make water your first port of call. You can bring it to work infused with citrus, ginger or mint. Choose herbal teas as your hot drinks at meetings or have homemade iced tea in summer. Stock up on nutrient-dense, fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts that are easy to snack right at your desk. Also keep easy options at hand like whole-wheat/high fiber crackers, salt and sugar-free peanut butter. These foods can keep for weeks at a time. This it makes healthy options the closest to hand such that when you are under (work) pressure, you will grab something that is really good for you,” he adds.
For youngsters, Arjun says, “Take up a sport or activity that you enjoy like dancing, running, cycling etc. Walk or ride a cycle to work or to a friend's house, do exhaust your body physically and not just mentally. I would suggest being less virtual and getting outdoors to be more physically active, he adds.”
By Sangeeta Ghosh Dastidar
