Actor, model and fitness enthusiast, Milind Soman was in Calcutta last month as the face of the JBG Kolkata World 10K Trail Run. The 58-year-old hunk started swimming at the age of six, and since then has been an ardent seeker of a healthy lifestyle and has participated in different fitness challenges and marathons worldwide. On November 25, Soman dropped by The Lalit Great Eastern for a gathering of the JBG (Jai Balaji Group) family. Here’s what he talked about with t2.
You are every fitness enthusiast’s role model. How do you keep yourself motivated to consistently stay fit?
The whole thing about motivation is if you really like what you want then you’ll be motivated. It’s not that I like exercising, which sounds like a chore or job, but I really like to be fit. I don’t go to the gym, I’ve never been to a gym. I exercise about 10 minutes every day at my home. The last 50 years that I’m active, I’ve identified certain things that I need to do as an individual for myself and it takes about 10 minutes only. I don’t need to be motivated to do 10 minutes of exercise. Those are the things that I need to do because as someone gets older, some features in the human body begin to deteriorate faster — mentally, physically and emotionally also. So you have to work on your weaknesses rather than your strengths, which will automatically make you motivated.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their fitness journey?
Go slow. And also find something that you enjoy. So even if you do that on the days that you’re not motivated, you will keep doing it, which is enough. Eventually, you begin to identify the things that you need to work on because only through experience do you get to know what are the weaknesses you should work on.
How do you think running helps in maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle?
Scientifically, running is a full-body exercise. Your legs, core, arms, and shoulders are worked out when you run. But you don’t have to run fast. Running fast is a myth. The cardiovascular system of the body is the basic element of health and fitness as it creates blood in your system and pumps all through your body, and through running your heart and lungs are constantly exercised at moderate intensity, keeping your cardiovascular system fit. It’s the best thing a person can do for fitness, that’s why they call it cardio.
What’s your opinion about fitness apps or tools?
Somethings make it easier to exercise, like gyms. But I don’t like gyms, I like to be outdoors, maybe in the forest for a run. I don’t wear a sports watch either when I exercise. I usually wear a digital G-Shock. I don’t use any health apps. Once in a while, for a particular reason, I might, but it’s not something I use every time I exercise. But for some people it’s important and if those apps and watches are helping them to keep moving, which is important, then they should use them.
Do you believe in indulging in cheat-meals once in a while?
I don’t have a diet, so I can’t cheat (laughs). I eat everything, especially sweets! I love sweets. I eat pizzas, biryani but sweets are always on the list.