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"FITNESS IS MY ONLY DRUG"
The only indulgence that John Abraham allows himself is taking care of his body-mind-spirit, finds out Shikha Shah
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Cycle your way to a healthy you
"If you look at my garage, you will find a motorcycle, a car and a cycle. I'm an avid cyclist. I paddle regularly. If I can't go outdoors, I clock in my miles on the cycling machine at home. I cover 10 miles a day to burn around 300 to 400 calories. Average Indian men tend to ignore their legs. You'll always see a great upper torso but weak legs. Cycling helps strengthen your entire body, including your quadriceps, hamstrings, abductors and calves. It might seem difficult to begin cycling, but once you get started, it turns into an addiction. I also make use of various apps to keep a track on my heart rate, calorie intake etc. Apart from cycling, I am also into running, brisk walking and CrossFit."
Sweat it out naturally
"To stay fit, you need not necessarily hit the gym. There are several natural ways, like climbing the stairs of your apartment. I climb an average of 70 to 80 floors a day. I am an outdoor person. I enjoy simple things like rock climbing, lifting sandbags and flipping tyres. When there was construction work going on in my house, I'd give up my workouts and help the workers carry sandbags from the ground floor to the seventh floor. They thought I was a freak as I was paying them for the job but doing it myself."
Escape into the world of fitness
"Let me give you the bad news. To build an honest and disciplined body, you require a lot of sacrifices. I go to bed by 9.30 pm and wake up at 4.30 am. I have a lifestyle that a lot of people around me, including my friends, consider as "mere existence". They think I don't live my life. Smoking, drugs and alcohol are big no-nos. The last time I had champagne was eight months ago. I do not believe in exercising for a six or eight pack; I work out only to be fit and feel good about myself. It's about enjoying your space. The gym is a small part of my home and it is my temple. Working out is a worship for me. A lot of people look for escapism in alcohol and drugs. Why can't you escape into the world of fitness? That way you'll be putting your energy into something much more constructive."
Eating right doesn't cost you a lot of money
"When you're on a certain diet, you sometimes end up losing out on minerals; your haemoglobin level can plummet. The trick lies in the word balance'. Have a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. A diet should be rich in protein and carbohydrates. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Have a wholesome breakfast and then munch on food every two hours. It doesn't cost you a lot of money to eat right. Eating right is avoiding junk, fried and in short, all the crap. When you eat junk food, it starts sticking to your body. Carry a lunchbox from home. How difficult is it to wake up early in the morning and cook a meal for yourself?"
It's all in the mind
"Discipline begins in your mind. You may have vices, problems and weaknesses... you may be a flawed person, but accepting your flaws and working towards a better you' is a must. There are times when you may not be in the happiest state of mind, but that doesn't mean you make everyone around you unhappy. A happy mind is the secret to a happier self."
Become a clothes horse
"My style can be described in two words: simple and basic. I have clothes that fit into one suitcase. The minute it goes beyond that, I start giving them away. When you work hard on your body, all your clothes look good on you, no matter how simple they are. I look at myself as a clothes horse and you must be that way. It's a lot of fun when people want to follow your style even when you're not attempting to dress up. My T-shirts are very cheap as I happen to run and jog in them too."
JOHN'S GUIDE TO CYCLING
To select the right cycle, go to your local bike store, explain your requirement and give them the rough budget. They will help you choose the right model.
Your paddling gear should give you enough room for movement. Opt for light-weight apparel in breathable, sweatabsorbing fabrics.
Never cycle without a helmet.
Keep your body hydrated while you cycle. Get a sipper with a cage and attach it to your cycle's down tube.
Wear padded gloves. They will prevent your hands from going numb and also protect them in case you collide or lose balance.
Never leave out your glasses. They keep bugs and road debris out of your eyes and block the UV rays.
Once you've started cycling regularly, start participating in cyclothons, like Tour De India, to increase your stamina.
Cricket
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