Sonu’s health secrets

The actor talks about his cheat days, clean eating and his stand on carbs

Bollywood actor and fitness enthusiast Sonu Sood, who is in the city to promote the Dubai Women’s Run tomorrow starting from Dubai Festival City, seems to practice what he preaches.

Ahead of the event, the Happy New Year star took time out to answer questions on all things fitness. Excerpts from our e-mail interview regarding exercise, cheat days and keeping fit all year round…

How many times should we work out in a week to lose weight and improve stamina?

You should work out at least five or six times a week to lose weight and improve stamina because you have to work on your functional training as well as your weight training.

What’s your preferred cardio machine?

For me, it has to be a mixture of treadmill, bike and elliptical because your body shouldn’t get used to any particular machine. Learn to give shocks to your body every day. Ideally, you can do 10 minutes of each or sometimes do 30 minutes of cardio on different days on different machines.

What are your tips for all those women trying to get into running?

I was associated with the Dubai Women’s Run last year and I noticed the rigorous practice that the women undertook before the run. You have to build your stamina and work on your style of running before the big day. Get professionals to help you out to ensure that you are doing the right things before you embark on a run.

Is it all about mind over body when it comes to running? Whether you run long distance or prefer workouts, it’s always mind over body. You just have to train your mind and strengthen it in such a way that running becomes your routine. So, it is a question of continuous training and the ability to challenge yourself .

What’s your diet in a day like?

I’m strict with food on all days of the week. But sometimes when I travel to Punjab, I cheat because I love makhi ki roti aur sarso ka sagh [a homely dish of flat bread and mustard greens curry]. Sometimes when you travel it is difficult to get what you need for your diet and that propels you to cheat. But never wait for a cheat day and go easy with food on those days because all your previous efforts where you were eating clean goes down the drain.

Is it better to have five small meals or three large meals?

Five small meals is healthier than three large meals. Abs are made in the kitchen and not in the gym. What you eat and what you drink is directly proportional to the kind of core you have. It’s important to eat right for your abs to be defined. Fitness and clean eating is not a weekly or monthly exercise.

What’s your opinion on popular diets such as keto or Atkins?

I believe in eating healthy and eating right. You can’t just follow a particular diet for a month and then get back to your routine of eating unhealthy.

What are the biggest mistakes that people make in a gym?

When I see gym goers opt for very heavy weights without realising how important form is. I have seen people squatting wrong and injuring themselves.