Healthy Habits: Dr. Arindam Sarkar enjoys morning workouts, high-intensity interval training
It can sometimes be difficult to find ways to stay healthy, so we’ve asked members of our Baylor College of Medicine community to share what they do in their daily lives to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Arindam Sarkar, assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor, shares some of his healthy habits with us.
Q: What health decisions start your day?
A: My wife and I join a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) class at 6 a.m, two days a week. As with many tasks, the hardest part is just showing up. Group exercise classes are not for everyone, but everyone needs to pick some form of exercise.
Nearly all of us should aspire to complete 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. Some is infinitely better than none.
Q: What keeps you motivated during your workout?
A: The HIIT bootcamp coaches and varied music selections help keep us motivated.
Q: What is your go-to healthy breakfast?
A: In our household, we are intentional about fiber intake (dietary, methycellulose, or psyllium) and motility supplements like polyethylene glycol or senna.
Diets high in healthy fats (not the saturated fats like red meat and fried foods) repeatedly demonstrate better weight control and management of various diseases. Eggs, salmon, cashews, avocados, coconuts, and olive oil are all examples of higher fat foods that are good for most people.
Q: What activities do you do when you can’t fit in a full workout?
A: I exercise outdoors a couple times a week and I aim for at least one serving of vegetables daily.
Q: Do you take vitamins and if so, which ones?
A: I don’t digest dairy well, so I use alternative milk products. Perhaps because of my diet, my vitamin D level is below normal. Nearly half of Americans similarly have low vitamin D, which is important for skin, bone and mental health. Consider meeting with your primary care provider to either check vitamin blood levels or discuss starting various supplements.
Q: What is your favorite health tip that you live by?
A: “Do your best and forget the rest.” I try to make choices today that are as healthy as those from yesterday and take it one day at a time.
Additional Resources
Light breakfasts, outdoor walks help Dr. Chris Deng stay fit
Dr. Stephanie Sisley enjoys reading, runs to stay active
Read more healthy habits from members of our community.
Learn how Baylor promotes a culture of healthy living and wellness.
