Lifestyle

Do not rush for that perfect body! at cost of your mental health

Published

6 years ago

October 19, 2020

Our society has constructed misconception regarding fitness and looks, from the societal point of view if you are slim or have a chiseled physique then only you look desirable, and the society accepts you.

All such negative connotations embedded in our values that,

we forget our views are becoming an impediment upon the Mental Well being of an individual, which may hinder self-confidence and make someone feel dejected.

The big secret in life is that there is no secret whatever goal you set, you can achieve that if you are willing to work for it. — Oprah Winfrey

If we look at the bigger picture of fitness or being healthy, nowadays everyone is rushing towards looking desirable or knowing the secret of being fit.
How soon; I will start getting results? Or how fast I can get slim?
We tend to have these sort of questions when we start working on our body.
Well, there is no reasonable answer to such questions, there is nothing as such called instant result; so train hard, with good diet but do not neglect your mental well being as well.
We generally fail to understand that fitness is not the final destination, but also it is a life long acted journey.

In fact, in the beginning, your journey may seem to be a bit sluggish, because we may feel that we are not progressing in our goal at all this negative image of ourselves takes place because we tend to grow up with a distorted image of fitness.
Our body is the result of how we utilize it.
Generally, we tend to follow or compare those photos of models in magazines or online and tend to ignore the fact that many of those are maybe unrealistic, as they may be spending hours in gyms or its merely their profession to look good and perfect.
But, in reality, this is not a perfect example of a healthy lifestyle neither practical but; for commoners, it might become an impossible task to maintain it with their office, work or home.

WE ARE ALL UNIQUE
Yes, first of all, stop imitating others, everyone has a different body type and, in generality, people have a different perception of fitness.

If you have embarked upon your journey of becoming a better version of yourself, then it will help you to challenge your limitations.
And while working on your weaker side, it will help you in attaining positive self-image.
But if set your goals to look like that of models or actors then it may make you indulge in unhealthy and unrealistic goals which may eventually make you quit your journey towards fitness or may disrupt your self-esteem.

PERSISTENCE AND PATIENCE ARE WHAT YOU NEED!
Do you weigh yourself too often, to see your results? Or looking at the mirror get you in self-criticizing mode?
Then please start shifting your look outward to look inward strategy, yes you read it right. It all starts with your mind, so by shuffling these accustomed practices, you will augment a more peaceful mind.
You can do this by engaging yourself in meditation, yoga, or gymming to stay calm and attain fortitude.

So, let me tell you, at times even after knowing the truth,
that our body will not transform overnight, our mind is structured in such a pattern that we crave for a radical change in a short period, and if we do not get that, we become carping and start over-analyzing about every outcome.
Stop overburdening your mind for hitting a large target, which might be beyond your capacity.
Keep the process simple, and don’t be harsh on yourself, rather have a kind and sympathetic approach.
If you can instill these virtues of patience and consistency, you will sooner or later move a step closer to your goal.

ARE YOU INVESTING YOUR TIME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?
It is said; that a fit body develops with a fitter mind, real fitness encompasses energy, focus, stability and sustainability.
A healthy mind and a healthy body reciprocate each other; it is not about how much time you spend in your gym session, rather the qualitative time that you are willing to give to your body.

So, for building a fabulous physique will make you invest your time not only in months but maybe in years, by following the right exercises and planning your diet.
Take enough time to prepare your meals and timing of having the meals plays a vital role. Don’t skip meals but improve it judiciously.

MY VIEWS:
I believe that emphasis should be on attaining good health and wellness than rushing for unrealistic goals.
The real fitness in its true essence isn’t just about being disease-free or having those bulky muscles or zero figure, but to aim for attaining a more pragmatic and holistic approach of fitness in its entirety.
By holistic, I mean that our mental, physical, and emotional wellness; are well synced and balanced. The real luxury of life is to connect the three areas.
It will start from feeling good about accomplishing small targets initially, then rewarding yourself like having a treat or piece of cake anything that makes you happy.

Indulging in a complete lifestyle change is imperative, like having a proper diet, having a good sleep and a positive mindset.
Our questions should change from “when I will get slim? To ‘how I will attain a healthy lifestyle?” how I can eat healthily and make it a habit?
It is crucial in this time that we rejuvenate our ideas of eating clean, exercise and pledge for an aesthetic life, while meditation and feeling grateful in life will help to develop a healthy mind towards a fitter body.

By Jyostna Dey_

Related Topics:healthy lifestyle Mental Health peace of mind physical health positive thinking

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India News

Bank holiday on September 14: Banks closed in these cities

Banks will remain closed on September 14 in nine cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad, due to Ganesh Chaturthi and related festival observances.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2026

APNLive Desk

The bank holiday on September 14 will affect branches in select cities across India as banks observe a regional holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi and related festival observances.

September 14, 2026, falls on a Monday and is listed as a holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Puja, Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata, Vinayakar Chathurthi and Hartalika in certain banking centres.

Bank holiday on September 14: Full city-wise list

According to the holiday listings, bank branches will remain closed on September 14 in the following centres:

City	Festival/occasion
Belapur	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Bengaluru	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Bhubaneswar	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Chennai	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Hyderabad	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Mumbai	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Nagpur	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Panaji	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
Vijayawada	Ganesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances

The holiday is therefore not applicable to bank branches across the entire country. Bank holidays in India vary by state and banking centre, depending on local festivals and occasions.

Why are banks closed on September 14?

September 14 marks Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026. The festival falls on Monday this year, with the date confirmed as September 14.

The banking holiday calendar uses different names for the observance across centres, including Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Puja, Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata, Vinayakar Chathurthi and Hartalika.

The National Stock Exchange’s 2026 holiday circular also lists September 14 as a trading holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi.

Will online banking services work on September 14?

The closure applies to physical bank branches in the affected centres. Customers can generally continue to use digital banking channels such as mobile banking, internet banking and UPI, although specific services can depend on the bank.

Customers who need to visit a branch for cash deposits, withdrawals, account-related work or other in-person services should check the holiday status of their particular branch before visiting.

What about banks in other cities?

Banks in cities that are not covered by the September 14 regional holiday are not automatically closed because of Ganesh Chaturthi.

The bank holiday calendar is centre-specific, so customers should check their bank’s branch holiday schedule before planning a branch visit.

Lifestyle

Who is Kaziah Liz Mejo, the 19-year-old who won Miss Universe India 2026?

Kerala’s 19-year-old law student and model Kaziah Liz Mejo has won Miss Universe India 2026. She will represent India at the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico.

Published

1 month ago

August 25, 2026

APNLive Desk

Kaziah Liz Mejo has been crowned Miss Universe India 2026, becoming the first Keralite to win the national title. The 19-year-old law student and model from Mavelikkara, Kerala, won the crown at the pageant finale in Jaipur on Sunday.

With the victory, Kaziah Liz Mejo will now represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant, which is scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico in November. She emerged as the winner after competing against 52 other finalists.

Who is Kaziah Liz Mejo?

Kaziah Liz Mejo is a law student and model from Mavelikkara, Kerala. Although her latest victory has brought her national attention, she already had experience in beauty pageants before winning the Miss Universe India 2026 crown.

She won the Miss Teen Diva 2024 title at the age of 17. In 2025, she represented India at Miss Teen International and finished as the first runner-up. Earlier in 2026, she also won the Miss Universe Kerala title and became the youngest state titleholder.

Her latest achievement has added another milestone to her pageant journey, as she is the first Keralite to win the Miss Universe India title.

Kaziah Liz Mejo grew up in Abu Dhabi

Born in 2007, Kaziah spent her childhood in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She studied at Emirates National School, St Joseph’s School and Abu Dhabi Indian School.

She is currently pursuing law alongside her modelling career. Her interests also extend beyond academics and pageantry.

According to information cited from the Miss Teen Diva website, Kaziah has trained in classical dance for 12 years. She also sings and plays the drums and violin. She has explored public speaking and acting as well.

Kaziah also made her acting debut with the Malayalam film Shylock.

Kaziah Liz Mejo’s pageant journey

Kaziah’s Miss Universe India 2026 victory follows several achievements in the pageant circuit. After winning Miss Teen Diva 2024, she went on to represent India at Miss Teen International 2025, where she finished as the first runner-up.

Her 2026 journey continued with the Miss Universe Kerala title before she competed at the national pageant in Jaipur.

The finale jury included former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, who led the panel. Former Miss Universe India winners Urvashi Rautela and Celina Jaitley were also part of the judging panel.

Who were the runners-up?

Vaishnavi Gannesh from Tamil Nadu was named the first runner-up and also won the Miss International India 2026 title, while Gujarat’s Anushri Satavlekar finished as the second runner-up.

Kaziah was crowned by last year’s Miss Universe India winner Manika Vishwakarma, who had represented India at the international pageant.

What is next for Kaziah Liz Mejo?

Kaziah Liz Mejo’s next major assignment will be the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico. She is scheduled to travel there in November to represent India at the international competition.

Lifestyle

15 August 2026 wishes to share patriotic messages with friends and family

Looking for Independence Day wishes? Here are 10 patriotic messages to share with friends, family and loved ones on August 15.

Published

1 month ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

15 August Independence Day patriotic wishes and messages

India celebrates Independence Day every year on August 15. The occasion is marked by remembering the struggles and sacrifices of those who fought for the country’s freedom.

On this special day, people often exchange wishes through social media, WhatsApp and text messages. If you are looking for patriotic messages to send to friends and family, here are 10 options for Independence Day 2026.

10 patriotic Independence Day wishes for August 15

1. A patriotic message

The tricolour is our pride and India is our identity. Remembering the heroes of the nation, wishing you and your family a very happy Independence Day. Jai Hind!

2. Remembering the freedom fighters

A heartfelt salute to the brave souls who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom. Wishing everyone a very happy Independence Day.

3. Independence Day message for friends

On the festival of freedom, may the spirit of patriotism always remain in our hearts and bring smiles to our faces. Wishing all my friends a very happy August 15. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!

4. Independence Day wish for family

Salute to our motherland, India, which fills us with pride. Wishing my entire family a very happy Independence Day.

5. A message celebrating the tricolour

The tricolour flying high in the sky represents unity, courage and honour. Let us always uphold its dignity. Happy Independence Day!

6. Message for children and youth

Freedom is not just a right but also a great responsibility. Let us contribute towards making our country better. Wishing you a very happy Independence Day.

7. A message dedicated to soldiers

A salute to the brave soldiers guarding the nation’s borders, because of whom we feel safe in our homes. Salute to all the courageous soldiers and best wishes on Independence Day.

8. A heartfelt Independence Day message

The fragrance of our soil, the pride of the tricolour and respect for our motherland are part of our identity. Wishing you and your family a very happy Independence Day.

9. Independence Day message for social media

Say with pride that we are Indians; the tricolour is our identity. May the spirit of patriotism always remain alive in our hearts. Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind!

10. Wish for India’s bright future

On this Independence Day, let us pledge to always uphold the unity, integrity and honour of our country. Wishing everyone a very happy August 15.

Independence Day is also an occasion to reflect on our responsibilities towards the nation. The day can inspire us to learn from the struggles of the freedom fighters and contribute to the country’s progress.