‘Tamanchey’ star Nikhil Dwivedi’s advice on handling uncontrollable cravings is perfect for the upcoming festive season and its temptations, says Surabhi Rawat.
With a hectic schedule, how do you manage to stay fit?
I have a very strict regimen. I work out almost every day and I also control my diet. I admit sometimes there are those weak moments when you want to eat everything and I do indulge! It’s not like I starve myself… But yes, at the same time, I maintain some kind of discipline; that kind of gorging on junk food is not an everyday usual thing. I would perhaps do it once in 10 days or once in 15 days as I like to control that urge of mine. And on days when I do indulge, I certainly work out a little extra the next day.
Describe your workout regimen.
I do intense cardio exercises thrice a week which include a lot of things. My trainer Prashant Sawant, whom I have been training under since the past eight to 10 years, gives me a lot of exercises which include free-hand exercises like running, climbing, jumping. It’s borrowed from the military regimen and is done both indoors and outdoors, sometimes requiring weights too.
Intense cardio is done as soon as I wake up. Even if I wake up at 7 am I do these cardio exercises and then late in the evening I do my weight training. My workout consists of a total of one-and-a-half hours divided into sets of 45 minutes each, in the morning and the evenings. I work out six times a week.
What about sports?
I used to be into sports earlier, but it is actually tough to continue with it when you get a full time acting job as there’s so much to do. Plus there are spaces issues in Mumbai. I mean, I know there are clubs and all but I really think sports facilities in the city are sorely lacking. I used to play badminton, squash, and even swim a lot but honestly all that has ended – blame it on time constraints. Also sometimes the water in the pools even in 5-star hotels is not conducive to swimming. It is not good for your skin. And as an actor you worry about so many other things like tanning. So swimming is out; I used to swim a lot earlier but not too much anymore.
It’s said that abs are made in the kitchen. So what’s your diet chart like?
As I said earlier, I control my diet. The first thing I have in the morning is my green tea with dry fruits like almonds and walnuts. Then I go for my cardio exercise, after which I drink lots of water. Post workout, I have a 6-7 egg white omelette, and an hour later I have my protein shake.
Lunch is the usual Indian lunch—two bajra chapattis, vegetables and dal. In the evenings, I have a protein shake or a healthy sandwich followed by soup. As for dinner, I just eat quinoa rice with some chicken or something accompanying the meal and a bowl of homemade curd.
With work schedules and travelling, how do you stick to maintaining your diet when eating out?
It becomes difficult. I try to eat whatever is healthy at that time. I try to opt for slightly healthier options than other things like tandoori chicken, but yes, it does become difficult.
And what about food cravings?
I don’t really starve myself. Usually I’m in control but if the craving is uncontrollable then I just go ahead and have it! But I believe eating is not so much of an issue if you are just working out right.
What food items do you always stock up your fridge with?
Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
And lastly, what keeps you motivated to hit the gym every day?
I don’t have an issue with that as that’s the kind of personality I have. See, I grew up with a lot of discipline in my life thanks to my parents and my boarding school education. So getting up very early in the mornings, day after day, which leads into years, is not a problem. It’s a part of my daily routine now and I hope it stays so in the future as well. I have been doing that for the past 15 years.
