Hanging around ‘fitness’ with friends

Social distancing, lockdown, isolation and quarantine are no mere words but have become a ‘reality’ to cope with. And, in these extraordinary times, as the world battles with the Covid-19 threat most corporates have adhered to the ‘work from home’ model wherever possible. And, keeping fit and general wellness is no longer an option but has become a way of life for many. Corporate Citizen explores a cross-section of professionals across different walks of life on how they have kept themselves motivated for mental and physical fitness in these trying times. Meet Sameer Kanse, Co- Founder & COO of GlobalGyan Academy (GGA), an Edtech startup that focuses on digital interactive learning solutions for executive education. Prior to GGA, Sameer has had a successful 16-year stint working across the Oil & Gas sectors and corporate finance before joining the TATA Group as a part of its Strategy team, also TATA Teleservices and as AVP-Strategic Initiatives, Global Network, Cloud, and Data Centre Services with TATA communications

“My ever-busy work-life was at the cost of spending enough quality time with my kids. The upside to this lockdown for me has been the extra time that I get to play with my kid. Together, we clean the house, make tea and variety of snacks every day. Little things such as cleaning table post meals etc with my kid have made me cherish this time,” said Sameer Kanse, Co-Founder & COO of GlobalGyan Academy (GGA).

With back to back virtual meetings on some days while on other days, Sameer’s work schedule includes completion of consolidated tasks that could easily stretch his working hours anywhere from 6 hrs to 8 hrs in a day. However, he has found support in his colleagues to devote some time for ‘fitness from home’ adding a zing to working out which would otherwise have been a ‘boring liability’ to handle in the ‘lockdown’ period.

‘Virtual’ Fitness with Friends

Physical social distancing has not come in the way of ‘virtual’ workouts for Sameer and his colleagues who have very innovatively devised ‘group fitness’ via Zoom calls which could be a way forward for all in the future even during the post-lockdown lockdown phase.

“Staying fit while in a lockdown can sometimes be lonely, which is why I am mostly doing joint workout sessions with my colleagues on Zoom Calls. I love running to keep myself fit. But since I’m unable to go out, I’ve taken up jogging on the terrace. Stairs have also become my go-to place to climb at a pace, keeping me fit. Apart from that, I practice cycling on Zwift Virtual Trainer,” said Sameer.

For Sameer, working out at home hasn’t been a challenge but has in fact added a fun factor to the whole concept of group dynamics through fitness. “I get on Zoom call workouts with my colleagues and we have fun all the while staying fit. Although yes, there are times where the moment you sit without work you feel anxious.”

Sameer’s exercise routine is a combination that could vary from doing pushups, to weightlifting and stretching exercises followed by yoga and meditation for calmness of the mind.

Wellness Rapid Fire

I have been using social media platforms to connect with my clients and colleagues via Video calls on Zoom, Google Duo and WhatsApp. It has also been helpful for me to keep up with the developing changes regarding the current scenario.

How are you managing stress due to lack of mobility and face to face meetings?

Well, we are all into this situation together. To boost each other’s morale’s during weekends we connect virtually for coffee meets/ drink meets.

Is social media a boon professionally and for personal gains during the lockdown phase?

I have been using Social Media platforms to connect with my clients and colleagues via video calls on Zoom, Google Duo and WhatsApp. It has also been helpful for me to keep up with the developing changes regarding the current scenario. I also have been using social media a lot these days to connect with my friends and family, tagging them on memes, checking up on them virtually etc.

Your diet mantra to bounce back to work; post the lockdown

I have always believed in keeping fit by eating right and followed workout regimes quite strictly. So, diets remain unchanged during the lockdown too and so has my workouts. The question of bouncing back does not arise.

What has been the impact of lockdown on your family life?

Evening time for us is the family game time. As a family, we play card games such as Poker, Rummy, Snap and Rolling stone. I have also been teaching my young one to solve Sudoku with time restraints, and I must say she is learning it quite fast.

Are you pursuing any hobbies at the moment?

Apart from pursuing fitness activities, I have also taken up reading. Earlier due to busy schedules, I could barely get through 15 pages in a day and now, I get to finish them in 2 days. Apart from that, I have also been brushing up on my mathematical skills.

Health Tip

A report released by Harvard Business Review, suggests that employees who opt to work from home should commit their energy only to top priority issues. The report explained that employees working from home often feel pressured to show their productivity and this could lead to working more immediate tasks instead of focusing on more important ones.