Fit like a star

We often look up to the perfectly fit bodies of models and superstars for inspiration. However, lately, celebrities themselves are speaking up about how they should not be the role model. The reasons explained by popular model Chrissy Teigen and actress Sonam Kapoor seem valid. “Anyone in the public eye, we have all the help we need to be able to shed everything,” Chrissy Teigen had said referring to personal trainers, nutritionists and others, during an interview with a magazine. Not long ago, Sonam too had something similar to say. “I’m up at 6 am every day and at the gym by 7:30. I exercise for 90 minutes and, some evenings, again before bed. It’s someone’s full-time job to decide what I can and cannot eat,” she had written.

Chrissy also went on to say that hoping to lose weight so quickly all by oneself is not realistic, and that people must not lose hope, but keep striving. So, do people outside the glam world really have it harder?

Actress Rakul Preet Singh disagrees. “I don’t think it is harder for people outside the glam world. In fact, I think it is the other way round because we almost never have the time. Sometimes, we get to sleep for just three hours a day, but I still make sure to wake up really early and work out. I don’t have a personal trainer who can go with me wherever I travel. I don’t even have a nutritionist. Why do we need them? When we were young, we would just eat home food and as we grew up, we started eating junk. Just eat home-cooked meals, and cut down on oil. People think it’s not possible to lose weight after pregnancy and don’t put in enough effort. Making excuses is not the way out. Even if it takes time, I think they should persist. If one can’t afford a trainer, they can just do simple workouts like going up and down the stairs and going for a run regularly,” she says.

Regina Cassandra has a different perspective. She says, “As a celebrity and an actor, there is more pressure on us to look good and hence, there is so much help around us. It is a necessity for us. But in this day and age, everybody wants to look good and those who are really interested in presenting themselves well, won’t need people around them. They will make the effort themselves. My primary job is to act, and after a day’s full of shoot, I have no energy left in me to pick out the right outfit and do my make-up. That’s why I have a stylist — so that bit of the work is taken off my shoulders.”

Fitness trainer Kunal Gir, who has trained both celebrities and non-celebs seems to agree with Sonam and Chrissy. “They do have expert help always available, and so, it is easier for them to lose weight and look good,” he says and adds, “Also, looking good is a part of a celebrity’s job. So, when they hire an expert trainer or nutritionist, they are basically investing in their career, whereas for a normal 9-5 working person, hiring a trainer would just be an expenditure. Those who are trying to lose weight must not give up. Also, they must not compare themselves with celebrities as that will only demotivate them.”