Fitness routine of the fittest Indian politicians

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently shared a fitness video after he was nominated in an online fitness challenge by Indian Cricket Captain Virat Kohli.

“Here are moments from my morning exercises. Apart from yoga, I walk on a track inspired by the Panchtatvas or five elements of nature – Prithvi, Jal, Agni, Vayu, Aakash. This is extremely refreshing and rejuvenating. I also practice breathing exercises. #HumFitTohIndiaFit,” Modi tweeted.

Sports Minister Rathore’s Fitness Challenge

Sports Minister Rathore throws fitness challenge to Indians, asks celebs to join in.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has invited Indians to post pictures and videos of their fitness attempts. “#HumFitTohIndiaFit Post pictures and videos of how you keep yourself fit and send a #FitnessChallenge to your friends on social media. Here’s my video and I challenge @iHrithik, @imVkohli & @NSaina to join in,” Rathore tweeted.

Rathore also posted a video where he explains the significance of fitness, as stressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before proceeding to do ten push-ups. “Whenever I see Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I get inspired by him. He has a lot of energy. He is working all day long. He wants to see India fit. So, I am getting inspired by him and taking some time off my work to engage in some fitness activities,” the former 2004 Olympic medalist said in his video.

These young Indian politicians are taking fitness really seriously

For us Indians, its very difficult to associate politicians with fitness. After all, over image of a politician is an elderly, pot-bellied person (who’s not just powerful but also loaded with money).

However, there are a few young ministers in Narendra Modi’s cabinet who do not fit in that image. And these guys are not doing the morning yoga poses, they are going some serious fitness workouts – push-ups, crunches, and more.

The two ministers, who take their fitness very seriously, are Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (Information and Broadcasting, and former professional shooter who won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympic Games) and Kiren Rijiju (Minister of State for Home Affairs).

It seems Olympic-medallist Rathore is out to create bunch of six-pack wielding politicos in the parliament. Here’s Kiren Rijiju doing reverse ab crunches in the gym.

Staying Fit During Election Season

Election time This is the time when politicians have to travel across the country, battling the heat & dust, and also endure a punishing travel schedule. The best way to deal with such a scenario is to stay fit (besides take care of your vocal chord), and that’s what both Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi are doing — both are following specific exercise and diet regimens.

Rahul Gandhi, who’s a fitness freak, apparently goes for jogging and gymming whenever he gets time. Modi, on the other hand, has faith in yoga. Their diet is something that is light to eat (and usually local).

Even if he works late, Rahul Gandhi wakes up early by 6 am. He is a fitness freak. He is particular about his exercise and goes for jogging Whenever he finds time. He also likes cycling and is a good swimmer. Gandhi is also learnt to have taken lessons in boxing and the martial arts.

Gandhi relishes a heavy breakfast but lunch and dinner are normally light. He avoids cold things in the morning (so that his voice is not affected).

Narendra Modi gets up well before 5 am and begins his day with yoga.

In general, his diet is very light. For breakfast, he may take light food such as poha, idli or dosa. The lunch and dinner could include dal-rice, Gujarati kadhi or kichdi.

Modi retires for the night around midnight as he addresses about four rallies in a day.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on protein diet to lose weight

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis is on a protein diet to lose weight after “gaining” weight due to hectic lifestyle.

“I am on a high protein diet and also exercise sometimes. This way I have been able to bring down my weight,” said the Devendra Fadnavis while replying to questions related to his health and on how he planned to reduce his weight.

According to MumbaiMirror.com, “Devendra lost nearly 18 kilos in three months. When Fadnavis consulted a doctor in December last year, he weighed nearly 122 kg, but after following a disciplined routine his weight has now dropped down to 104 kg. His target to get that lean-mean look is 88-90 kg. If he keeps at his diet-exercise regimen with the same vigour he has had since February when he started it, he should achieve success in three more months. The routine reportedly includes a mix of medicines to enhance metabolism, a proper diet and a weekly two-hour regimen.”

The CM got inspired after seeing her wife Amruta’s weight-loss transformation.

Wife Amruta said, “He had lost weight earlier but gained it again due to work pressure and erratic schedule. After I started my weight-loss programme and lost about 5-6 kg, he was inspired.”

Jayashree Todkar, a metabolic and bariatric surgeon, monitored Fadnavis’ weight-loss program, and shares her inputs on how they started the weight loss program after monitoring Fadnavis’ metabolism and other health parameters.

“His evaluation went on for two months; we learnt his metabolism was flexible and could be enhanced by medical intervention. We started him on the medicines which had a collateral result, in clearing his problem of sugar intolerance. While he has an erratic work schedule involving a lot of travel, it turned out that his activity level was pretty good. He not only goes above the required minimum of 10,000 steps daily, but also walks briskly. We used a pedometer to gauge his daily activity levels.”

“Since he doesn’t have a sweet tooth, he has been allowed the luxury of one cup of tea a day. But Fadnavis prefers sugar-free if he decides to sip on chai. His proteins involve a mix of vegetarian (paneer, lentils) and non-vegetarian (chicken, fish). His carbs come from bhakri, chapati or wholewheat bread. His sources of fibre are green vegetables and low-glycemic fruits like pomegranate, apple, jamun etc. He doesn’t have to cheat to have butter or ghee; he is allowed both, though in moderation and not in dollops,” says Todkar.

In addition to Jayashree Todkar, holistic health guru and celebrity fitness trainer Mickey Mehta (who is also training Amruta Fadnavis) was roped in to supervise the Chief Minister’s regimen.

“He gets merely four to five hours of sleep. The breathing exercises help in taking care of the sleep deprivation. We are aiming to get back his athletic body by end of this year,” Mickey Mehta.

Well, we are only glad that our ministers have started conscious about their looks and health.

Have photo or video of any other Indian politician sweating it out in the gym? Please share it here.