The super-fit actor gives unique tips on staying fit in a megapolis like Mumbai
Rachit Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; June 24, 2018)

If anything rivals his passion for cinema, it is fitness. Sonu Sood has an incredible physique and is one of the fittest people in Bollywood. Over the last decade, his acting career has been going strong in both Hindi and South cinema. What adds to his personality and charisma is his chiselled body.

He believes a busy metropolis like Mumbai offers a lot of workout opportunities to its citizens. “A gym membership is not necessary to stay fit. Fitness is all about creating your own tools for workout. You can make your own gym. I like to exercise outdoors in Mumbai," he says. “It’s very important to have the zeal to stay fit. You should never have excuses to skip workout sessions. You should never say, I don’t have the time or I have to go to the office. The most important aspect of fitness is to save and dedicate time to your workout. Set yourself fitness goals and make sure you achieve them,” adds the fitness buff.

In a busy city, where time is a luxury, Sonu feels it’s important to be smart with workouts. He adds, “Everyone in this city has hectic working hours and many of them travel by local trains. But once you get back home, you can spend a few minutes doing crunches while watching TV. You can even do 50-100 push-ups before stepping out for work. Just make a simple routine and stick to it.”

The actor has added a few innovative tweaks to his own fitness philosophy. He explains, “For as long as I’ve lived in Mumbai, I’ve believed that I have 22 hours in a day. The two hours that I don’t count are reserved for fitness. No matter how much time I spend travelling or at work, I do not compromise on gym time.”

Despite the many challenges, Sonu feels that Mumbai offers a wealth of opportunities for those who are serious about being healthy. He says, “I don’t shy away from picking the bicycle and hitting the roads. Yes, the city’s traffic and pollution don’t make it easy, but you can always work around it. I find early mornings and late nights a good time to cycle around the city for 20-35 minutes. On many occasions, when my shoots ended late at night, I’ve ditched my car for the cycle. I have cycled from Film City to my home in Lokhandwala (Andheri) may times. On occasions, I’ve also jogged that distance at night. It’s a good way to get a 30-40 minute intense workout.”

However, the actor’s fitness routine is not that intense all the time. He says, “I enjoy my early morning walks along the Lokhandwala Back Road. It’s a place bustling with people taking walks, jogs or working out — both in the morning and evenings.” He also loves to jog in the Mumbai rains. He adds, “Our city is usually too hot and humid for extended outdoor workouts, but during the rains, there’s no heat and you can run at leisure. A quick jog along Juhu Beach can be rejuvenating. You can also ask your gym trainer to join you for a run. I like to sprint with my trainer Yogesh, because his guidance helps me keep a track on my form. He also makes sure I don’t make mistakes and suffer injuries.”

Fitness is as much about eating right as it is about exercising. Sonu has some excellent tips for Mumbaikars. He says, “We live in times when big cities like Mumbai have less sweet shops and more health food joints. There are services and individuals who deliver healthy food to your doorstep. You can call them at any time in the day and they’ll deliver a protein shake, fruit juices or even a quinoa salad. They even serve innovative deserts like sugarless pastries and protein cakes. It’s important to hunt for these places and look for healthy alternatives to everything you eat. Mumbai folks have a lot of get-togethers and house parties, so it’s not a bad idea to serve health food at these parties, too.”

Now, that’s how Sonu flirts with the city — in a healthy way!

Hiren Kotwani (DNA; April 7, 2018)

Surviving in B-Town is all about great acting chops but having a million-dollar body is just as important. It’s little wonder then that actors and actresses worth their ‘take’ ensure to always look their best. Ergo, celebs spend hours exercising, many even give up on their favourite indulgences lest they add unwanted pounds. Sonu Sood is one such actor.  Today on World Health Day, we talk to the Dabangg guy about his fitness mantra. Excerpts...

With people getting increasingly health conscious in the last decade, today fitness has achieved the status of an industry...
Yes, people have got more inclined towards fitness. When I started working out, I didn’t know too much about diet but I wanted to stay fit. Nowadays, everyone knows about proteins, carbohydrates, what to eat and when. The young and old alike are doing various forms of exercises; if they’re not gymming, they are either running or cycling. It’s good to see that people take fitness seriously now.

Do you feel there is an age to start keeping fit?
It’s better to start when there’s age on your side. Today, the younger generation indulges in a lot of junk food. As a kid, I always ate healthy. While there is no definite age to start keeping fit, the reason you should start young is so that it inculcates a sense of discipline towards your body and you can pass it on to the next generation.

What is your advice to people who don’t get time to go to the gym? How can they stay healthy?
First of all, you should think that you don’t have 24 hours in a day, but only 22. You should dedicate two hours to your fitness. If you can’t go to the gym, you should either run, walk, cycle or play a sport. While watching television, don’t sit idle, instead do some stretching and floor exercises like crunches. Once you start, you will soon get into a routine. You have to find your way to accept challenges.

Do you give in to cravings, like indulging in a dessert once in a while?
I don’t have cheat days. When I try to eat anything, I know how it will affect my years of hard work. Some people have cheat days and some don't make any exceptions because they feel they can burn out the unwanted calories. You can give in to your craving, but that doesn’t mean in just a day you let go of all the efforts you've put in. Of course, you have to maintain a healthy balance.

A fit body is fine, but what about a healthy mind?
They are all interconnected. When you go to the gym or exercise, you feel fresh and rejuvenated. There is a sense of renewed energy and efficiency in whatever you do. When you don’t exercise, you feel something amiss and soon, that affects you mentally too; you feel tired, restless. You have to get used to and addicted to staying fit.

BOMBAY TIMES (June 18, 2015)

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