Fitness key to healthy life: Virat Kohli on how physical regime changed his mindset

Mumbai: There is no secret as to why team India’s fitness level has risen for past couple of years. Skipper Virat Kohli has been a role model for current and upcoming players and have set a benchmark in terms of fitness.

The India skipper has not only been admired for his fashion sense and batting, but also for his ripped physique. Kohli has always stressed on importance of fitness and said he couldn't imagine not doing any physical activity even if he was not playing cricket.

"Even if I was not playing professional cricket, I can't imagine myself not doing any physical activity at all," he said.

Kohli while speaking to Times of India also spoke at length about the change in fitness that has affected him as a player.

"It had to do with playing at a certain level in professional sport. I realised that when I started getting fitter, I started thinking better. I had more clarity, focus and determination. I started feeling that inside me as soon as I changed my physical regime. Getting fitter makes you confident overall. It makes you feel good about yourself. You need to feel good to have good thoughts," said Kohli

Last year during an episode of Gaurav Kapur's chat show Breakfast with Champions, Kohli had revealed his fitness mantra and diet plan throughout the day.

“My breakfast is set. I eat an omelette, three egg whites, one whole egg, spinach with black pepper and cheese, some grilled bacon or smoked salmon with it. I eat papaya or dragonfruit if it is available, watermelon. I eat a decent amount of cheese for good fats. After that, I carry my own butter and I get gluten-free bread from the hotels. So I apply it on that. A nice big pot of green tea with lemon. I drink 3-4 cups of that,“ Kohli said.

His main meals during the day also comprise of lean proteins and leafy vegetables, but Kohli also revealed that he increases his intake of red meat when he needs to build muscle.

“When our trainer Mr Basu tells me to put on a bit of muscle, then I increase red meat, otherwise generally for lunch, it is grilled chicken and mashed potatoes, spinach and veggies and for dinner its seafood,” Kohli added.

One of the shocking revelations was Kohli giving up his favourite cheat meal ‘Butter chicken’. The India captain revealed that he would only indulge in Chole Bhature at Rajouri Garden whenever he craved for something.