Soha Ali Khan is hitting the gym in her workout gear. In a recent social media post the actress shows off her fit physique in a two-piece workout outfit, breaking a serious sweat. “It is so hard to go back to the gym after weeks of holiday bliss … but once you learn to quit it becomes a habit. So here we are,” she captioned the video. What exercises does she do and how does she approach diet and fitness? Celebwell has the answers.
In Soha’s latest exercise video she does a variety of weight and strength training exercises as part of a circuit. According to Kendra Gamble, HIT Fitness Training, Huntingdon Valley, PA, NPTI Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritional Consultant here circuit includes the following:
- Leg press
- Wide grip seated row
- Plank push up variation
- Goblet squat
- Lateral step battle rope variation
- Mobility training/calisthenics
- Step up battle ropes
Soha reaps the body-mind benefits of yoga. “New place new vibe #yoga,” she captioned a recent post. There is a laundry list of reasons to do yoga, explains Harvard Health. “Researchers found that people who practiced yoga for at least 30 minutes once a week for at least four years, gained less weight during middle adulthood,” they said. “People who were overweight actually lost weight. Overall, those who practiced yoga had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) compared with those who did not practice yoga. Researchers attributed this to mindfulness. Mindful eating can lead to a more positive relationship with food and eating.”
Soha makes herself accountable. “Post a holiday it’s tough to get back to your fitness routine but, rather than wait for inspiration that may take its own sweet time to come, I find it’s better to jump back in. I may take a couple of days to find my previous strength and rhythm but I won’t get there at all unless I start!” she wrote in an Instagram post. She also enlists workout buddies to keep exercise fun. “It’s always more fun (and more competitive) when you work out with a buddy!” she wrote in a post.
“I snack twice a day which is during mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Mid mornings start with a handful of almonds and mid-afternoons are for a smoothie made with fruit jaggery powder and low-fat yogurt,” Soha dished to NDTV Food. “It’s all right to snack through the day, but as long as it’s on healthy and nutritious foods. Often, we overindulge in unwholesome snacks then worry about gaining weight, hence I prefer opting for wholesome snacks such as fruits or almonds are known to provide energy and have satiating properties that promote feelings of fullness, which further helps in keeping my hunger at bay.”
Soha is “not an avid follower of diets,” she explained to NDTV Food. “I usually practice healthy eating and include a lot of nutritious foods in my diet, along with daily exercise. My routine usually is as follows – I start my day with lukewarm water/Methi water along with a handful of plain or soaked almonds and consume them through the day at regular intervals, to keep my cravings at bay. For breakfast, I usually eat a Dosa or an omelette with fresh fruits and a gluten-free toast with honey. For lunch, I like to eat chicken or fish with some dal, vegetables, and brown rice or roti. I end the day on a light note and usually have a salad with lots of vegetables, almonds, and herbs drizzled with a citrus dressing.”
Soha was “blessed with good skin genetically,” but explains that diet and hydration helps keep it glowing. “But I believe it is important to eat healthy and nutritious food to keep the skin healthy from inside, apart from all the skincare regime we follow. So, I include wholesome alternatives such as berries, tomatoes, avocados, and coconut oil which have been a staple for years in my diet to enhance skin health. Another one food that I highly recommend is almonds as they contain healthy fats and Vitamin E which have shown to impart anti-ageing properties that may benefit the skin. But it is most important is to keep yourself hydrated.” According to the Mayo Clinic, hydration is important for a variety of reasons. Water helps get rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements, keeps your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, and helps protect sensitive tissues.