Harshvardhan Rane on the DNA iCan Women’s Half Marathon being an important initiative

Harshvardhan Rane is one of the fittest actors we have today. The actor is very strict about his diet — he follows the caveman diet, which is also considered one of the toughest diets across the world. With a great body and drive for fitness, he does the fit talk with us...

Dieting=Discipline

I maintain my physique, thanks to my diet. For me, 51 per cent credit goes to diet and 49 per cent would be exercising. It was one of my biggest weaknesses. I love eating rice. Pehle, I used to give in and indulge. The result was right in front of my face and sometimes, even on my face.

(Smiles) So for me, to overcome one of these challenges is something I really enjoy. Dieting is something I enjoy because it teaches me discipline.

Workout without distraction

I work out 50-55 minutes every single day with one day break in a week. I work out without looking at my phone. If you are WhatsApping and doing all that, you need to work out for two-three hours and still not get the desired results, which is the case with many people today. The reason is you are taking way too many breaks and longer breaks which is not good for you. You need to break your muscle within a particular time frame and that’s the only time you get to break your muscle.

My fitness is very physical

Fitness means everything to me. There are a few core beliefs which I religiously work on because I want my beliefs to be aligned or close to what my dad used to be. I feel good thinking or behaving like my father. After that, the most important thing is fitness for me. Because my beliefs are in my head. But my fitness is very physical — I can see it in the mirror or when I run or when I’m working out. Physical fitness is the second most important thing after spiritual fitness, maybe!

Outdoor sports helps!

I have started playing football for a film down South. I have played a lot of badminton in Hyderabad. I have also played cricket for Telugu Warriors.

Not a marathon runner

So, let’s get this correct. There are two types of muscle fibers. Slow twitch and fast twitch muscles, also called type 1 and type 2 respectively.  So if you are a marathon runner, you will be type 1. If you are a sprint runner, you will be the second type. People who sprint can’t run longer and people who run longer can’t run fast. So I am the sprinter type. I can run really quick. My body is not of a marathon runner. I am a very big fan of 100 metre sprint because everything is clear within 12 seconds – where you stand. It’s the quickest way to know where you stand in life. Plus, it’s a sport you can afford.

Women need to be as fit as men

Men or women everyone needs to be fit. We are living because we are surviving and to survive, Darwin’s theory — survival of the fittest — applies. So if you aren’t fit, maybe you won’t diminish but as a race, your whole gene pool will diminish.

It’s a great initiative

I am envious of the women who can run marathons. Because I cannot. I envy people who can play guitar, sing and run marathons, to be precise. I have a few friends —women who run marathons and I am really inspired by them. I think they glow a little more than normal people. And yes, this is a great initiative by DNA. I hope and wish the team all the best for the endeavour.