Athlete’s advice to bodybuilders: Don’t skip leg day, eat right, set your goals
MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT CLEAR ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STEROIDS AND PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS, SAYS RATHORE
Physique athlete Shweta Rathore , one of the first among women to represent India in several fitness championships, has managed to carved a niche of her own. And how did it all start? “Fitness training started in my childhood. I had a tendency to put on weight easily. I faced a lot of criticism at my school because of my large frame. I took it upon me to become fit. I started to exercise and go to gym in eleventh grade. My workout included outdoor sports and dancing for at least two to three hours every day. As children, we were encouraged to consume fresh home-made food only. Fitness became my lifestyle,” says the 29-year-old.It was her brother who encouraged her to take this passion to the next level. “I went on to do rigorous practice and training to become India’s first Indian female to win fitness titles, the awards followed later.” Today, she is a fitness entrepreneur with her own academy, and dedicated courses for corporates and athletes. With many youngsters determined to get fit and even get into bodybuilding seriously, there are certain things to keep in mind. For example, the myths surrounding the intake of protein powders.
“There are misunderstandings that protein should be consumed only when an individual hits the gym. Protein is essential for every human body irrespective of he/she going to the gym. Protein is a vital nutrition for human body. It maintains, repairs and helps in muscle growth. It is essential to go for a protein which is certified, genuine and most importantly, that suits the Indian physique as protein intake for every body type varies. Most people are not clear about the difference between steroids and protein supplements. Protein supplements are concentrated sources of protein,” she says.
NO SHORTCUT TO SUCCESS:
1. Set a goal and work towards it. Identify your body type, your lifestyle and schedule your fitness regime and diet accordingly. Every body type is different and requires a customised fitness plans.
2. Eating right is a significant factor. Intake of food defines your energy level.
3. There is no shortcut to success, everything takes time. Just the way a seed grows into a plant and a plant grows into a tree, similarly, our body undergoes physical changes during the process.
4. Do not skip leg day – Legs are foundations of the body, it is essential to work on the glutes, hamstrings and do power squats.
5. Rest is essential. Do not exert yourself at the gym, the muscles need a lot of relaxation and time to recover – a good eight hour sleep is really important for the body.