You have to get addicted to staying fit: Sonu Sood

Surviving in B-Town is all about great acting chops but having a million-dollar body is just as important. It’s little wonder then that actors and actresses worth their ‘take’ ensure to always look their best. Ergo, celebs spend hours exercising, many even give up on their favourite indulgences lest they add unwanted pounds. Sonu Sood is one such actor.  Today on World Health Day, we talk to the Dabangg guy about his fitness mantra. Excerpts...

With people getting increasingly health conscious in the last decade, today fitness has achieved the status of an industry...

Yes, people have got more inclined towards fitness. When I started working out, I didn’t know too much about diet but I wanted to stay fit. Nowadays, everyone knows about proteins, carbohydrates, what to eat and when. The young and old alike are doing various forms of exercises; if they’re not gymming, they are either running or cycling. It’s good to see that people take fitness seriously now.

Do you feel there is an age to start keeping fit?

It’s better to start when there’s age on your side. Today, the younger generation indulges in a lot of junk food. As a kid, I always ate healthy. While there is no definite age to start keeping fit, the reason you should start young is so that it inculcates a sense of discipline towards your body and you can pass it on to the next generation.

What is your advice to people who don’t get time to go to the gym? How can they stay healthy?

First of all, you should think that you don’t have 24 hours in a day, but only 22. You should dedicate two hours to your fitness. If you can’t go to the gym, you should either run, walk, cycle or play a sport. While watching television, don’t sit idle, instead do some stretching and floor exercises like crunches. Once you start, you will soon get into a routine. You have to find your way to accept challenges.

Do you give in to cravings, like indulging in a dessert once in a while?

I don’t have cheat days. When I try to eat anything, I know how it will affect my years of hard work. Some people have cheat days and some don't make any exceptions because they feel they can burn out the unwanted calories. You can give in to your craving, but that doesn’t mean in just a day you let go of all the efforts you've put in. Of course, you have to maintain a healthy balance.

A fit body is fine, but what about a healthy mind?

They are all interconnected. When you go to the gym or exercise, you feel fresh and rejuvenated. There is a sense of renewed energy and efficiency in whatever you do. When you don’t exercise, you feel something amiss and soon, that affects you mentally too; you feel tired, restless. You have to get used to and addicted to staying fit.