Health And Fitness: Everything You're Up Against As A Busy Professional In A South Asian Family
Finding a way to make it “click.”
Life has a way of throwing a spanner in the works just when you think you’ve got everything under control.
One minute, you’re managing work deadlines, family commitments, and your personal goals…
Next, you’re drowning under a mountain of responsibilities, with health and fitness slipping further down that list of priorities.
It’s a familiar story for many professionals juggling the demands of modern life, and especially for us South Asians who typically strive so hard for success.
The real challenge isn’t just “finding more time” – because we already know that’s not there…
It’s about making it all “click” with everything else you have going on.
For most of us, the obstacles aren’t new.
- Packed schedules.
- Travel.
- Late nights.
The endless cycle of deadlines, responsibilities, and constantly chasing your tail makes it feel impossible to carve out space for your health.
It’s not just about squeezing in a gym session here and there or meal-prepping when you can be bothered…
It’s about making those efforts sustainable so that they’re not just something that you do for an extended period – but instead a habit built that will last.
The truth is that many people get stuck in a frustrating cycle of starting strong but losing steam.
Maybe it’s a fitness plan that’s too rigid…
Or a diet that feels more like punishment than progress…
Add a demanding career into the mix, and suddenly, the idea of sticking with any health routine feels impossible.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
The shift happens when you stop thinking about squeezing fitness into the cracks of your life and start building a structure where your health actually supports every other priority.
The key is creating a plan that works for you…
Not for someone with unlimited time or resources, but for someone navigating a busy, unpredictable lifestyle.
It’s about finding the tools that allow you to stay consistent no matter what comes your way.
Maybe that means redefining what success looks like in your fitness journey:
Instead of chasing quick results or unsustainable goals, KMAKFitness helps you lean into the small, manageable wins which add up to huge changes over time…
And learn how to adapt when life gets chaotic – instead of letting one bad day derail your progress.
Every transformation starts with that moment of clarity: deciding that your health is a non-negotiable aspect of your life.
For some, this moment comes after years of feeling stuck. For others, it’s sparked by the realisation that their current path isn’t one they want to live any longer.
Either way, once it “clicks”, there’s no looking back…
So, the question then becomes – what’s holding you back from making it “click”?
We believe it’s about putting together the right plan of attack.
For our client, Raag Shah – that plan of attack came in the form of guidance from us at KMAKFitness.
For Raag, his journey was about taking the chaos of his schedule and finding a way to structure it around his priorities.
When Raag came to KMAKFitness, he was already successful in many areas of his life. He had built a thriving career as a wedding videographer and had a beautiful family.
But there was an undeniable gap – his health, he wanted to:
- Look better.
- Feel stronger.
- More capable.
And above all, he wanted to be more present and focused in his life for himself, and as a role model for his loved ones.
But the challenges were real.
Travel was, and still is, a constant in his profession, leaving him with irregular schedules and limited access to consistent meal options…
And, as a vegan, he already had to think harder about his nutrition – those limitations only added to the complexity.
Raag had fallen into a cycle so many can relate to…
When life got busy, his health was the first thing to take a backseat.
What set Raag apart was the choice he made…
He decided to stop letting his circumstances dictate his outcomes…
And to do whatever it took to find the thing that made everything “click”…
That thing turned out to be KMAKFitness.
The first thing we did when we got to work was establish the biggest things holding him back – those things were:
- Schedule & time.
- Travel.
- Nutrition.
We found a way to smash through all of these roadblocks (and if you’re part of our email list, you can hear more about that there)…
But for now, keep reading for tips that will help in your own journey.
Mastering your schedule as a busy South Asian professional.
When your professional life is manic, fitting health and fitness into your schedule is one of many of life’s riddles that you’re just expected to solve.
Honestly, more people fail than succeed!
But not on our watch…
Here are three tips to help you make your time work for you instead of against you:
Plan everything:
Set some time aside once every week to map out your schedule. Plan absolutely everything, especially things that centre around you – think workouts, meal prep, and even rest.
When these priorities are in your calendar, like meetings or travel arrangements, they’re less likely to get pushed aside.
Batch similar jobs together:
Grouping similar activities, or (as I like to think of it) giving yourself shortcuts, reduces the mental load of switching between tasks and creates more space for focused effort.
Think answering emails whilst planning calls…
Or batch meal prepping whilst cooking the evening meal…
I call them shortcuts because you’re skipping the stress of one task whilst dealing with another.
Get help:
Somewhere out there, there’s someone who absolutely loves the things that you despise!
Find yourself that person and get the help that you need. You’ll save yourself time through delegation but also stress in the process.
Taking control of your schedule as a busy professional is about being intentional…
Remember, when you master your time, you’re creating a foundation for success in all areas of your life.
Staying on track whilst travelling.
As a busy professional, you know all too well how travel can get in the way of your health and fitness goals if you let it.
Whether it’s the daily commute, changing job locations, or hours lost on the road, it’s easy to let those constraints become excuses.
But the truth is, travel doesn’t have to be a roadblock, setback, or even a problematic area of your life…
It can actually be an opportunity if you tackle it the right way…
Here’s how you can maximise your time and stay on track when travelling:
Plan and brainstorm:
Some of my best plans and ideas have arrived when I’m on the road for work, and I’m forced to step away from my normal routine.
Use travel as a chance to clear your head, be alone with your thoughts, and plan. Put in a pair of headphones, blank out the world, and let your mind wander as you think about the goals you want to achieve.
Remember, creativity and imagination need space.
Turn dead time into progress:
Just because you’re travelling doesn’t mean you can’t be productive with that time.
Use waiting periods or long commutes to your advantage by making the most of them.
Some of the best content that I have ever consumed has been when I’ve been on my way to or from work.
That new outlook on life you’ve been waiting for could be one commute or podcast listen away.
Get ahead:
That work thing keeping you up at night?
The tricky problem stalling your project?
Or that unique client request?
Use your travel time to tackle this stuff head-on.
Even if you’re driving and can’t jot things down, let your mind work through solutions. Take mental notes, or use voice recording tech to capture your ideas. A problem solved on the road is one less problem you have to deal with later.
Travel does not have to be useless time taken out of your day – if approached right, it can be where you do some of your best work.
Career vs Nutrition for South Asians.
For most South Asian professionals, career and nutrition rarely feel like they’re on the same page.
One thrives on long hours, endless meetings, and quick solutions, while the other requires consistency, thoughtfulness, and balance…
It’s no wonder they often clash.
But what if, instead of fighting each other, your career and nutrition could work together in harmony?
It all starts with understanding that good nutrition isn’t just about what you eat – it’s about fueling your performance.
Here are a few things to consider:
Meal timing:
Structure your meals to align with your workday – skipping meals leads to energy crashes and poor decision-making.
Smart snacking:
Keep healthy snacks like nuts, fruits, or protein bars on hand to avoid hunger-fueled bad choices.
Hydration:
Coffee might fuel your mornings, but water fuels your body. Staying hydrated keeps you sharp and helps maintain energy levels.
When your career feels like it’s pulling you in every direction, your nutrition can be the steadying force that keeps you grounded and energised.
By making mindful choices and treating food as a form of self-care, you’re not just feeding your body…
You’re feeding your ability to succeed – and that’s a partnership worth investing in. Make it a non-negotiable.
How KMAKFitness can make it “Click”.
The difference between success and burnout is in how we approach the juggle:
- Career.
- Health.
- Life’s demands.
You’re not just fighting against the clock or your to-do list…
You’re fighting for a version of yourself that is healthy, energised, and capable of handling whatever comes your way.
It’s about creating systems that work within your real-world limitations, not pushing for perfection or unrealistic expectations.
It’s a process, but when you choose to embrace it, you’ll start to see the transformation unfold.
Take it one step at a time….
Focus on the small wins…
And remember: when your health is in line, everything else will fall into place.
So, what’s your next step? Ready to make it “click”?
Get started here.