Milind Soman shares 5 fitness mantras to follow while travelling

Former supermodel, actor and fitness enthusiast Milind Soman says that he doesn’t ignore his fitness regime even if he is on a holiday. Here are five fitness mantras that he follows while travelling:

Eating right is the first step. Once that is in place, you need to back it up with exercise. While travelling, it’s easy to be tempted to eat unhealthy food. To avoid this, I prefer staying at homes (homestays) with wellequipped kitchens so I can prepare a healthy snack or meal whenever hunger pangs strike. In fact, I enjoy cooking a light and healthy khichdi (porridge) for lunch on most days I’m travelling using my mother’s special recipe.

Fitness is a lifelong pursuit and it should be something you enjoy. You don’t need to follow a strict regimen or routine. Besides, it’s usually difficult to hit the gym regularly while you’re travelling. The best workout is whatever activity fits into your schedule even if it is a 10-minute brisk walk or a quick jog up the stairs. As long as you’re getting some activity and prioritising fitness, don’t worry about how much or how often you’re exercising. I usually fit in three-four running sessions a week. Be it running or yoga, try practising mindfulness, that is, being completely conscious and aware in the moment. Doing this gives you a strong sense of calmness and focus.

Sleep is essential for the body and mind, and restful sleep is the foundation of good health. Getting sufficient sleep is essential to overall wellbeing.

I ran my first Mumbai Marathon in 2004 and have been setting myself new challenges ever since. In 2009, I ran my first full marathon. I took on the Ironman challenge a few years later and then the Ultraman title last year. Pushing yourself to achieve new fitness targets is an exhilarating feeling. It keeps you motivated and achieving difficult goals gives you an incredible high.