Rahul Khanna on fitness

It wouldn’t be wrong to call Rahul Khanna one of the fittest bachelors in town. At 44, he looks half his age, regularly works out, and is always impeccably turned out and is flawlessly groomed. Here he talks about fitness and why women should be equally fit. Excerpts...

I get bored easily

“For me, consistency is the key. I try and do an intense workout consisting of weight-lifting, functional exercises and cardio at least three to five times a week. I support this with an eating plan that consists of whole, unprocessed foods and a daily meditation practice. I get bored easily, so no two workouts are ever the same. I don’t divide workouts by body parts. Rather, I use a holistic approach and constantly vary my routines every day. It baffles me when I see people who don’t want to sweat during a workout. I dislike the concept of exercising in cold air-conditioning.  My muscles need to be warm in order to use their full potential and toxins need to be sweated out. I find the most productive workouts are in slightly warm, yet ventilated environments.”

Sustaining fitness

“Fitness is about feeling good and being healthy and pushing yourself to become stronger. Choose a routine or sport that is always challenging and something you look forward to, otherwise you won’t be able to sustain it.”

Fitness: Necessity or love?

It is both. The way being fit makes one feel is addictive. And when you feel good, you look good. It’s a pleasant side-effect.

Outdoor activities?

I work out in the gym, but I also love outdoor activities like hiking and swimming.

No marathon yet!

No, unfortunately I haven’t run a marathon. But someday I hope to get a chance to.

3 principles of fitness

Discipline—I’m ruthlessly devoted to my fitness routine and try to make it a non-negotiable part of my week.
Education—I keep asking questions, researching and experimenting with different routines. 
Fun —I have a short attention span so I always do things which are not just challenging, but also engaging and enjoyable. Looking forward to my workouts is the only way I’m able to stick to them.

Same as men

Women should also be very fit. And for all the same reasons it’s important for men to be fit!

On DNA iCan marathon:

I love the concept of a marathon because it’s more about competing with yourself rather than competing with the people running with you. It’s so much about mind over matter and, if you can conquer that voice in your head saying, “You can’t do it. Give up”— then who knows what else you can achieve!