In the world of showbiz, celebrities often find themselves under the microscope, scrutinized for their personal lives and physical appearance. On one side we have seen celebrities like Bhoomi Pednekar and Parineeti Chopra who gained weight for their roles and then surprised their fans by reducing the weight in record time. We have also seen celebrities like Arjun Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha who have faced trolls for their weight gain. However, there’s another side to this scrutiny: the journey of self-improvement and the inspiring transformations that celebrities go through, especially when it comes to health. From Ram Kapoor’s remarkable transformation to Vidya Balan’s battle with body image, many stars have worked hard to meet their weight loss goals, setting an example for fans who often struggle with their weight issues. These stories of dedication, hard work, and perseverance have inspired millions across the world, showing that fitness is more about consistency and mindset than just the outcome.
Ram Kapoor’s transformation – The actor lost 55 kilos in 18 months
Ram Kapoor, a well-known face in both television and Bollywood, had often been the subject of media jokes about his weight. His show ‘Bade Acche Lagte Hai’ though a massive success made him get trolled too. In recent years, the actor has completely transformed, becoming an inspiration for people struggling with weight issues. Ram’s transformation was not just about losing weight; it was about changing his lifestyle completely. The actor took to fitness with a vengeance, following a strict regimen that included regular workouts and a diet plan tailored to his body’s needs. His transformation came after he had openly talked about his struggle with weight and how it affected his confidence and health. He also shared that the weight caused him type 2 diabetes. Ram Kapoor confessed any diet is temporary, instead of dieting you need to change your mindset.
Ram’s weight loss journey wasn’t an overnight success, but a story of commitment that involved hitting the gym, eating healthy, and changing his outlook towards food and fitness.
Pranit Shilimnkar, founder of FITNESSTALKS.INDIA, a celebrity fitness coach agrees with Ram Kapoor’s words. During an exclusive conversation with us, he highlighted that whenever a celebrity comes to him to start his fitness journey, the first piece of advice he gives them is, “Fitness is a lifestyle, and do not take it as a project. Of course, when you are working on a project it is a great motivation but it will not last for long. Rather, when you make it a lifestyle, it turns into a discipline that keeps you ready for any role and project that comes your way.”
Vidya Balan’s weight loss journey – The key was in the right nutrition
Vidya Balan known for her stunning performances and versatile acting, has always been an advocate for body positivity. For years, she was subjected to media scrutiny for her weight, often being criticized for not fitting the traditional mold of a Bollywood heroine. From her body weight to her movie choices and even her clothing preferences, Vidya has tackled it all. It is not to say that it did not bother her at all but how she overcame became inspirational. In an earlier interview with ETimes, the actress spoke about how her weight issue became a ‘national issue’.
“My weight issue has become a national issue. I have always been a fat girl; I wouldn’t say that I am at a stage where my fluctuating weight doesn’t bother me anymore at all. But I have come a long way. I have had hormonal issues all my life. For the longest time, I hated my body. I thought it had betrayed me. On the days I was under the pressure of looking my best, I would bloat up and I would be so angry and frustrated,” she said.
Despite being comfortable in her skin, Vidya decided to take charge of her health when she realized that her lifestyle choices were affecting her energy levels. She advocated an anti-inflammatory diet that worked wonders for her without heavy workouts. Vidya’s approach to weight loss was holistic. She followed a structured diet and paired it with regular yoga and exercise, which helped her shed the pounds in a gradual yet sustainable way.
Shehnaaz Gill’s fitness journey – From fat to fab in 6 months
Shehnaaz Gill, the popular actress and singer who gained immense fame with her appearance on ‘Bigg Boss,’ has also become an inspiration to many with her incredible weight loss journey. Shehnaaz has been very vocal about the fact that her weight loss came at the time of lockdown when she was at home and work was less. She wanted to utilize the time and weight loss felt like the right choice.
She lost around 12 kgs in 6 months, and the major change she brought to her lifestyle was controlling the portion of her meals. She on her Insta live sessions said that eat everything your heart desires, just in a controlled portion.
The role of the right nutrition in the fitness journey
Both Shehnaaz and Vidya highlighted the importance of nutrition in their weight loss journey. And weighing in on the subject, Pranit told us, “Nutrition plays a very important role in your fitness journey. It doesn’t matter how much you work out, if your nutrition is not in place, you are always going to see yourself stagnant. You might achieve some results in the beginning without proper nutrition, but those results would be temporary.”
Arjun Kapoor lost 50 kgs before his Bollywood debut
Arjun Kapoor has always been vocal about his past struggles with weight. Speaking about the same in a social media post, which has now been deleted, Arjun shared, “It’s been a tough one and I am only glad that I could stay on the track. Must admit that it was very tough to stay on course; it still is, but I’m loving the state of mind that I’m in for the past 15 months. I hope it stays the same.”
He worked with nutritionists, and trainers and adopted a strict diet plan that helped him shed the extra kilos. His transformation included working out regularly, cutting out junk food, and incorporating more vegetables and lean proteins into his diet. Arjun also focused on developing a mental shift, emphasizing the importance of feeling good and healthy over simply looking good. What made Arjun’s journey stand out was his openness about the mental and physical challenges he faced. “When I was fat and overweight, as a kid also, I believed in one thing there’s nothing better than walking. Even today when I want to lose weight, I just keep in mind to just get out there and walk. Just be physically active. You cannot sit on your best eating food and then cribbing about the fact that you’re not losing weight,” he shared with ETimes earlier.
Shreya Sharma’s fitness goals
Bollywood playback singer Shreya Sharma has often been vocal about her fitness journey. She shared with us, “I saw Sunidhi Chauhan perform and was reminded of my dreams as a young girl. I needed to be fitter to fulfill that dream. For me, it wasn’t about weight loss but feeling my best self. Also, I haven’t achieved the transformation. It’s still going on. You gain weight and lose weight. Festive season comes and things happen. The important thing is to find a fitness routine that keeps you agile and independent till you’re old.”
Shreya’s perspective on her fitness journey underscores the importance of consistency and self-care. It’s not just about a temporary fix but about creating a lifestyle that keeps you energized and healthy in the long run.
How to maintain a fitness routine during a hectic schedule?
With insane traveling, early morning calls, promotions, events, and what not, it is more challenging to maintain a steady workout routine for celebrities. In such cases how do stars manage things and what are the tips and tricks advised by experts?
“My mantra to them is to always make sure that you are working out for at least 40 to 45 minutes per day. There should be no excuse for this. The second suggestion I give them is that as soon as you wake up, within 30 minutes after having your black coffee, you should hit the gym floor, or be on the road for running or do any form of physical activity, and then you are free for the entire day. So, when you have your entire day packed, it becomes difficult to hit the gym in the night or do any of the work out because you are so tired. Once you finish the workout segment at the start of your day, you are simply sorted,” said Pranit.
“And it doesn’t matter if it is for 30 mins only, it should be a discipline, as consistency matters. It matters more when you are traveling. Also, whenever you are traveling or have a hectic schedule, that time it is more important that you don’t cheat on your diet. As when the moment you drop down the movement of your body, it is very important to check your calorie count,” he concluded.
