Opening Doorz

Opening Doorz Editorial | August 17, 2018

Alefia Kapadia on her workout routine, eating habits and spiritual quotient…

Workout Routine
I mix my training routine to ensure boredom does not set in and I am always looking forward to burning fat!

• Weight-training
  I work out isolated body parts for at least 30 minutes about 5 times a week, increasing reps to tone my body. These are simple exercises that require a trainer only when I slowly and gradually increase the weights over a period of time. I combine at least 30 minutes of intense abs workout every alternate day of weight-training no matter which body part I’m focussing on that day.
• HIIT
  I dedicate at least one day, mid-week preferably for High Intensity Interval Training guided by my trainer, which reduces fat-mass and increases stamina. This is a cardiovascular exercise strategy alternating short periods of intense anaerobic exercise with less intense recovery periods until too exhausted to continue. Due to the extreme nature of this exercise regime, a single session lasts less than 30 minutes.
• Running
  During the cooler days of the year I prefer running by the sea either at Worli or Marine drive. Running for about 5 kms at least once a week not only helps me connect with nature but also increases my strength and stamina.
  

  

Eating Habits
I start my day with a mug of warm water with one lemon squeezed in and a spoon of honey. I’ve been waking up to this since over a decade. Breakfast usually consists of eggs with brown bread and/or muesli and/or oats depending on how hungry I am. About an hour post breakfast I hit the gym and guzzle down a scoop of whey protein along with it I also have a multi-vitamin supplement to ensure my body gets all the nutrients. Lunch comprises one chapati, handful of rice, pulses, vegetables and/or meat. Evenings are incomplete with out my tea or coffee which I take without sugar but with some snacks like makhana or whole-wheat khari or maybe even peanuts.

I completely avoid rice or chapati for dinner but instead ensure that I eat a good portion of any meat preferably fish that is grilled alongside a big bowl of salad. If I’m heading out for a night event I ensure I eat at least boiled eggs so that binging isn’t even an option and further ensure that I consume the required amount of protein for the day. As a fitness enthusiast, drinking at least 2.5 litres of water a day is a must as the protein and extra nutrients are absorbed better by the body and hydrates and protects the body from muscle cramps and dizziness.

Spiritual Quotient
Life’s experiences have given me many gifts as blessings; the most beautiful one being ‘meditation’. There are several myths about meditation. Primarily, people seem to think that it is a difficult procedure in which one has to sit isolated in a room, quiet the mind for a dedicated period of time for one to be successful and reap benefits from it. I for one could never achieve any of those, yet I can confidently say that I successfully meditate every single day. I ensure that I get in anywhere between 5-20 mins of meditation daily. And that could mean just sitting by the window staring at the sky, hearing the sounds of the winds and looking at the birds or listening to a guided meditational audio or even just shutting my eyes and focussing on my breath.

I strongly believe A day without laughter is a day wasted.

No human should ever let a day pass without laughter and appreciation.  Laughter triggers the release of endorphins which in turn promotes an overall sense of well-being. There are a million reasons surrounding us to be happy and we just have to look at it with loving eyes to appreciate it.

(Alefia Kapadia is an Indian theatre and television actress. She is also an adventure biker who has conquered the Khardungla Pass and an Emcee who has performed internationally. She is also a single mother of two!)

Photographer: Pratik Khot
Location courtesy: Incline Fitness, Mazgaon, Mumbai

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