Get fit the '8' walk way

Two decades back when we were less dependent on machines, physical exercises were embedded in our daily life.

We had kal ural(grinding stone) for grinding dosa and idli batter, ammi kal(grinding stone specially for spices) for grinding spices and masala, sweeping, mopping, washing clothes and utensils helped us to stretch our muscles. Squatting on the floor for eating food and then cleaning the space, pumping water from water pumps.

Routine visits to temple and the circumambulation around the big praharams on granite stones were a good walking exercise. The granite stones had the acupressure effect on our soles of the feet. We also walked/cycled to the nearby groceries,parks,banks and schools.

All these and healthy food habits kept our previous generation free of life style diseases.

Cut to the present, where most of us today are totally dependant on machines and electrical gadgets, house-helpers, motor-vehicles and processed food.

With no scope for physical exercises in our house-hold work, we enrol in expensive gyms, yoga and aerobic classes to keep fit. We have to mark a separate time for walks and keep lifestyle diseases at bay.

I too devote nearly 40-50 minutes for walk. Sometimes I have 'purpose walks'. I walk to the nearby banks(4kms), my children's school(4kms on a different lane), the vegetable market(3kms) and these days with the wintry climate it is a pleasure to walk. I generally avoid the main roads and always take the bylanes where there are no traffic.

When accompanied by my friends it becomes an 'Idea walk'(walk while you talk).

Now with summer setting in and the sun scorching from early morning to late evening, my walk time could go for a toss. But no, I heard about the '8' walk and will try this summer.

I heard about this '8' walk from Mr. S.R.Kishore kumar in his cookery show on Podhigai channel, long back but did not keenly follow the show.

But This sunday during a Q&A session with him, I heard about the '8' walk and its benefits.

The '8' walk - here it goes.....

In a 10 feet X 10 feet room, draw the digit '8'.

To begin with walk over it non-stop for a minute, after a week gradually increase the time to 2 minutes, 3 minutes and so on till you reach 5 minutes.


This exercise, Mr. SRK said though done for a short time has immense effects other than weight loss.

It de-toxifies your lungs, checks your BP and sugar level under control.

He also suggests drinking a cup of the following vegetable juice each day for fat reduction.

Ash gourd juice with salt and pepper.
vazhathandu juice ( juice extracted from the stem of plantain tree)
Kollu chutney(horsegram chutney)- This melts the body fat and reduces bad cholesterol.
cabbage soup.

So, knock off the toxins, burn the fat and get fit this summer with '8' walk and veggie soups/juices.