‘Do a little bit every day’, says Milind Soman on exercise regimen in Chandigarh marathon
Chandigarh Marathon
In Gillco’s ‘Run For Health’ Chandigarh marathon at the Sukhna Lake Sunday, actor and marathon runner Milind Soman spoke on running, and choosing one’s exercise based on their goals.
Milind Soman’s Tips on health and Fitness
Top tip to stay fit and healthy
A fitness enthusiastic and runner, says people should do a little bit of exercise every day, as according to him that’s most important. There is no need to overdo it. A lot of people now talk to me about fitness and health, and the effort you need to make to be fit.
But I want to talk about happiness because now we’ve started talking a little about mental health as well and now there’s a debate on which one is more important. I believe they’re both interconnected, even if you’re fit you still want to be happy and the practical way is to understand what fitness means to you, for it is different for different people.
The mindset and culture regarding fitness changed over the years
He further added the mindset and culture regarding fitness is changing all the time and is also a very new topic, for there was nothing in terms of fitness 60-70 years ago and nothing was needed because people, in general, were fit and active. Everyone didn’t have vehicles, not many elevators, or machines, so people had to walk around and do everything themselves. Today, we’ve become very dependent on technology, and very comfortable, but now we are realising that comfort and convenience are an illusion, life is not easy and that’s why the need to be healthy and fit.
Considering the health issues faced by many during the pandemic, it is vital to focus on health as you are more at risk to fall sick. As bacteria are everywhere, you must keep the body strong and that requires effort, but more than effort, it requires self-analysis because we generalise a lot these days.
He stated “I exercise just 20 minutes a day, I don’t have time for more than that. You must decide what you’re exercising for, not just because everyone is doing it, you choose your exercise based on goals. We all have strengths and weaknesses, so the insight is to identify your weaknesses; and work on those. You grow all the time; the rate is slow earlier and then it goes fast.”
All your weaknesses enhance as you grow, and we have to do something to arrest that. And as you grow older, you lose the ability to run and jump because you don’t do it. Walking is easy because you walk every day, at least a little. Your flexibility and mobility decrease with age. You have to keep using those abilities and exercise your mind.
To think positively is also an exercise. You have to identify what you need to work on and observe yourself. You don’t need to consult anyone.
Running as a motivation
If you don’t do things you love, and if you don’t have time for them, then what do you do? You must make time for them. Devote at least for a little while because it’s going to give you the most meaning.
He further added for him running is a motivations as he love running. Recalling old times he stated, “when I started running I hated it. When the Mumbai marathon started, I decided I had to do it. There was no one running in India at that time. I did the first edition, and then I was hooked. I was 38 at that time and you begin thinking about your 40s, but nothing changes. And that’s what happens to runners, we go crazy. I ran from Delhi to Mumbai.”
He further said,” I did the Ironman triathlon when I was 50 and people couldn’t believe it because people in India feel they can’t move when they’re 50. We have to realize our capabilities. Our life span has increased. It can’t slow down at 40.”
