Do you fit in?

Manpriya Singh 

Who hasn’t heard (or made) New Year resolutions to do with “eating healthy, exercising daily and cycling to work; going for a run, a ten-minute workout?” The most hackneyed New Year Resolutions also happen to be the most sincere ones.

Who doesn’t want to get fit? Even Amir Khan does. But when first thing in the morning, a tweet by the actor says that his first New Year resolution is to get back into shape. And it precedes…“To make my best film ever and spend more time with my family.” It put the spotlight on fitness being symbolic of a new life, a new year.  We get talking to those fit and those into the business of fitness, how a staggering majority of resolutions circle around healthier lifestyles. 

Fresh start

Gurmeet Singh Arora, founder and chairman of Bodyzone Fitness and Spa, tosses around some insightful statistics. “The memberships and people coming to the gym hit an all-time low around December and this is true pan-India. However, the figures start surging around January, that’s when festive period and party time is over and people want to start fresh with healthy lifestyle. This goes on improving till March when we hit an all-time high.” 

Neeraj Bagga, a city-based gym instructor, has a rather interesting observation to make. “Let alone first of January, which comes only once a year, I have seen people take first of any month seriously. That’s when we invariably have people starting with a new diet chart or exercise routine.” Affirms Pushp Preet Singh, head trainer, with a very prominent city-based gym, “For most, fitness is about getting into shape. At least it starts with that, till they gradually move onto strength training, core development, agility, flexibility and so on. And most do like to start their fitness journey from the 1st.” 

Fit & the famous

We get talking to the fit and the famous, who not just divulge their New Year resolutions, but also define fitness for us. 

n A former beauty queen, a travel enthusiast, an actress; it’s impossible to exhaustively take into account all the roles that Gul Panag has played so far. Needless to say, it couldn’t have been possible without the fitness quotient that we’ve always associated her with. She doesn’t forget to wish you a Happy New Year, but will not tender the clichéd answers. Because, “Fitness is a journey, not a destination. My resolution is to be even fitter and stronger, and eat right. And not make excuses for not being able to do so by finding solutions instead.”  

n When we called up the Arjuna awardee, boxer Akhil Kumar, he had a while back finished watching the video of Akshay Kumar where he is working-out against the backdrop of sunset.  That sums up the emphasis he lays on fitness. It’s not possible to not be fit and be a sportsperson, but Akhil Kumar goes a little harsh on himself. “I think I am out of shape currently for several reasons. My New Year resolution is to get back into shape and be fit; by fit I mean both mentally and physically. For me fitness is about flexibility, joint mobilisation, mental alertness and peace.”