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is recognized officially as is the case
with the HEALTH Awards, I think
it motivates others to follow in these
footsteps and reach their goals even
more so.
The impact on the future of
healthcare
I think the annual HEALTH Awards are
a very good move; all of these awards,
be it for Bollywood or health, I think
are a fantastic initiative. I think these
days there are two kinds of people;
one who is already into fitness and
one who aspires to be into fitness.
These days, everyone is getting fit and
working towards being healthy. Some
achieve it and others struggle with it,
so when you have awards like these,
especially related to wellness and
fitness, strong messages of achievement
and inspiration towards excellence
are sent out very clearly. And since it’s
going to be an annual and regular event
conducted by Thumbay Group, it is a
wonderful initiative. In fact, I think
once the HEALTH Awards has taken
place, it will a key defining benchmark
in the health and wellness sectors
followed by many others in the future.
Fitness as a mantra
I recently did a movie with Jackie Chan who would always
tell me that he had never thought before that Indians
could be such fit people. I never became an actor and then
afterwards, worked on getting a 6- pack for a movie just for
that role. For me, fitness is a strong way of life and always
has been. It is a lifelong commitment and should be part of
everyone’s life; not just actors and celebrities but doctors,
businessmen, students, and shopkeepers. We all have to
aspire to be our healthiest and most optimally fit. I always
say that fitness for me is as routine and normal as brushing
my teeth. It is engrained into my lifestyle and daily life.
Eating healthy
Despite the fact I hail from Punjab, India, where rich food
is the norm, I have now witnessed a slow change in that
region also whereby the younger generation especially is
eating healthier and working on their fitness and lifestyle.
But yes, like any Punjabi, I love my share of parathas and
other delicious Punjabi foods. Still, I aim to eat more salads
and watch my food intake. I have a good share of very
healthy foods with the occasional indulgence now and
then.
Advice
I always advise people that fitness is something you must
religiously follow and adhere to. But remember, it must be
enjoyed and something you look forward to. It needs to
come from within.
Social media surge
Social media is bigger than big. It’s huge and now everyone
is into it. Be it Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Celebrities
in particular are provided a strong platform of influence
and I think if I can influence the mindset of a few people,
then I feel quite good about that.
H
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Nov/Dec 2016