Fit message from Namrata Purohit

At 24 years of age, this sprightly girl’s fitness wisdom has about 10 years of practice, as she started at 15! As the youngest Stott trainer in the world at 16, hers is a lesson in self-belief. Namrata Purohit co-founded her studio with her father. Namrata’s choc-o-block agenda also includes her long list of Bollywood clientele. Most recently, she is busy with Kareena Kapoor-Khan’s fitness regime, helping her lose weight after she had Taimur. Jaqueline Fernandes, Kangana Ranaut, Malaika Arora Khan and many others are on her list.

Working with heavy weights in the film industry must be tough, right? “Not at all. Anyone dealing with celebrities will realise that they are as normal as any of us, and trying to achieve their own fitness goals. In fact, they are easier to work with, as they have immense commitment. You and I might bunk a class but they don’t. I admire their dedication. Right now Jacqueline Fernandes, Kareena post-having Taimur, Malaika Arora Khan, Varun Dhawan and Ileana D’cruz are training with me,” says the girl who’s philosophy is to customise fitness regimes.

Working with Kareena post-pregnancy involved a definite agenda, “When she came back after delivery, we started working on weight loss. Ensuring Kareena does not feel fatigued, working on abdominals, we follow a specific regime, with cardio,” Namrata adds. Given how post-pregnancy weight loss is a rage, and quite drastic, in some cases, Purohit advises a gradual work-up, “I’d say a normal amount of weight to lose is .5 to 1.5 a month. More means you are under eating or over exercising. Today, most women workout even during pregnancy, so they literally just put on baby weight. We also have pre-natal pilates classes, and many even do it for the whole nine months, after a go-ahead from their doctor,” says Namrata.

Fitness has gone overboard with many working out for hours on end. Namrata, who works out an hour a day, feels over exercising is a big NO-NO, “Over training is not beneficial. Choose everything about fitness, not just looking good, but flexibility, strength, balance, eating well and no diets. Which means, don’t eat less, eat enough nutritious meals. Be smart, no over-training. I personally over trained earlier, as it had become an addiction. Honestly, my body saw low results, it was counter productive. It’s not about doing more, as your then prone to fatigue and injury. If you do too much, the body feels it’s not getting enough and starts storing fat. An hour a day is best,” says the 24-year-old who is wise beyond her years, adding, “We all can be happy with our fitness goals and regime, but don’t be satisfied, as that brings in complacency.”

The former football player still finds time to kick-about, as a mid-fielder with friends at St. Andrews. Her life revolves around activity, and the adrenaline junkie takes the liberty to travel when her celebrity clientele are travelling as well. “I am a scuba diver, and holidays revolve around finding places to dive –Andamas and Maldives. My dance classes and horse riding also keep me busy,” she says. “Keep it safe, simple and smart,” says the author of The Lazy Girls Guide to Being Fit. Something we can surely use.”