When we look at the glowing faces of celebrities on television or their Instagram pics, we are impressed. But it does not come easy. They work hard, along with experts, to ensure that they get the desired results. Deepesh Bhatt aka Shivoham, fitness trainer and brand ambassador at Avvatar Whey Protein, gives an insight into his routine, guidance for winter exercise, and reveals a few secrets of celebrities.
“I started swimming at the age of five and that was my first step into fitness. I participated in a national level swimming competition, representing Maharashtra when I was 11 years old. Since then I have never looked back,” says Shivoham.
Not being exposed to social media helped him indulge in sports and physical activities. He feels lucky to be able to continue fitness through gym and weight training.
Favourable weather
As the weather nowadays is neither very cold nor very hot, this is an ideal time to indulge in outdoor activities. Shivoham suggests that one should go for a run, use a skipping rope, do yoga in the open, go on a trek and so on.
However, with winter comes pain in the joints too. Shivoham says, “Due to extremely cold weather, your joints start paining and become tighter. In this case, it is very important to do stretches to warm-up your body everyday, whether you manage to exercise or not. This will keep your body more flexible and reduce the chances of future injuries.”
Shivoham points out that when it comes to fitness, there shouldn’t be any break. “As Christmas and the New Year are approaching, do not forget to put in some time everyday to work out and go for healthy eating,” he says adding that we should not let festivals ruin our health.
Diet and nutrients
Food is an important part of our healthy routine. We must make sure that we eat clean, healthy and choose the right sources of nutrients, he advises. “Eat food which provides you macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins and fats and micronutrients like vitamins, calcium, etc. While non vegetarians can get their protiens from meat, paneer is a great source of calcium, protein and carbs for vegetarians. But do not leave out green vegetables as they make up for a lot of other nutrients,” says Shivoham.
If vegetarians do not get enough proteins from their meals, supplements like whey protein or multivitamin tablets will be very beneficial for them.
Says Shivoham, “Whey protein is very beneficial to people who are doing any form of intense training. Our lifestyle is quite busy and people do not have time to sit and eat properly. So it’s important to carry your whey protein wherever you go. If you get hungry or skip a meal, you can always have it with water or milk.”
However, he adds that people have different body types and they should plan their diet accordingly.
A body like celebs
Giving us an insight into the fitness regime of celebs, Shivoham says that actors usually get fit according to their roles. Which is why, at times, they have to get fit in a short span of time. However, it is not advisable for common people to do that. Right eating habits and regular exercise are the secrets of a healthy life. Drinking a lot of water is also a key aspect of good skin and a well-hydrated body.
“There comes a time when we do not want to do anything and just relax. However, fitness freaks do not allow themselves such lazy days. Yes, 2-3 days of rest is allowed but it is very important to keep yourself active at least 3-5 days a week. Stretching, squats, lunges, on the spot jogging, jumping jacks — a mix of these would really help you when you are out. You can mix it with crunches and a few other floor exercises,” he says.
Guiding newcomers who dream to work in the fitness industry, he says, “Firstly, they should know the reason why they want to opt for it as a career. It is a very rewarding profession but very challenging too. Once you’ve made the decision, find the correct education or professional guidance. Then you have to practise what you have learnt before you teach others. Otherwise, it could turn out to be dangerous for people around you. You can intern at a gym or with a business professional. The experience will take you a long way,” he concludes.
