I have some wisdom to share about using the treadmill in a gym. Or elsewhere.
This statement would surprise those who know me. It is well documented that I know as much about gymming as I do about veganism.
Metaphorically speaking.
The treadmills in our gym used to have TVs attached to them in an era when people watched satellite TV. I used to go there after work and switch on Nigella Lawson’s show at 9pm. I would ooh and aah over the luscious images … of roasts, puddings, bacon and all things nice. I was surrounded by super models who had probably last eaten a couple of months back, grimacing at the images on my telly as they jogged on.
Nowadays I listen to classic rock from the 70s to the 90s on my AirPods when I run. One day I decided to watch a standup show on my phone. I laughed and laughed and the time limit that I had set got over without my realising it. This seemed like a great way of wearing out the psychological and physiological trauma of walking on the treadmill at a moderate speed without an incline. I continued this in future sessions. I roared with laughter, having a good time on the treadmill , unlike my neighbours who were sprinting up inclines and giving me dirty looks.
Then came a day when I got on the treadmill, switched on YouTube on the phone and saw chhaiya chhaiya from the movie Dil Se cued. I played it. Now if you have heard the song featuring Shahrukh Khan and Malaika Arora dancing on a train, then you will know that it’s tempo goes from first to fifth gear in less that 5 seconds and stays there. I cranked up the speed dial on the treadmill as collagen from the 90s bathed my soul. I soon reached the highest limit at which I walk and stayed there till the song ended.
And here’s what I learnt, you are much better off listening to high paced music than watching stand up when trying to get the best out of a treadmill. The jury is out on watching Nigella’s show.
What’s this got to do with food? I headed to Kitchen Garden by Suzette which is opposite the gym after my workout and picked up a mini pot of their pesto chicken quinoa salad, which a Gen Z friend had introduced us to recently, and which K and I are currently besotted with. I wolfed it down in the car while I headed out for a beard trim. I was proud of myself. This sat easier on my conscience than my preferred post gym snack of Punjab Sweet House’s dahi kachori chaat.
Treadmill…salad…has my account been hacked?
Don’t worry. Let me tell you about the burger that I had at Saz at Jio World Drive the day after. I was craving for a burger for a while and their animal style tenderloin burger always does the job. The smash tenderloin patty is juicy, the buns are soft and fresh, the flavours are perfect and not excessive… just the way a burger should be.
And I just had a customised bacon, avocado and tomato jam croissant at Vanilla Miel before I wrote this post. Nigella boudi would have approved.
So, no, the account has not has not been hacked. It’s the same old me, with the odd edamame bean added, just as it was in the salad.
ps: Scarlett House, owned by one of the two protagonists in chhaiya chhaiya is located just beside Vanilla Miel!
