In an era where quick fixes and fleeting fitness trends dominate, Deanne Panday, the celebrated fitness expert and mother of “Saiyaara” star Ahaan Panday, stands as a beacon of sustainable wellness. With a career spanning decades, Panday champions a holistic approach to health, emphasizing clean eating, the transformative power of yoga, and a practical “90:10 rule” for a balanced and healthy life. Her philosophy is not just about physical appearance but encompasses overall well-being of the body, mind, and soul.
Embracing Clean Eating: Fueling the Body Naturally
Deanne Panday is a staunch advocate for clean eating, focusing on natural, unprocessed foods as the foundation of a healthy diet. Her approach centers on consuming whole foods like nuts, pulses, grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. She prioritizes locally grown, seasonal produce, cautioning against imported alternatives that may be treated with chemicals.
The Power of Whole Foods
Panday’s diet emphasizes real, natural foods. She includes colorful vegetables in her meals for taste and nutrients and relies on traditional home-cooked Indian food, such as brown rice khichdi with fresh vegetables, which she favors for its gut-friendly properties. She also incorporates healthy carbohydrates like black rice, red rice, or quinoa. Probiotics, like yogurt, are also a key part of her digestive health strategy.
Avoiding Processed Foods and Supplements
A significant aspect of Panday’s clean eating philosophy is her deliberate avoidance of processed foods, including packaged masalas and protein powders. Over a decade ago, she gave up processed health supplements, choosing instead to rely on the nutrients derived from whole foods. She also rarely consumes aerated or fizzy drinks.
Mindful Snacking and Hydration
To combat boredom-induced snacking, a common pitfall, Panday suggests eating small portions more frequently instead of reaching for unhealthy chips or sweets. Hydration is also paramount, with her day starting with half a liter of water, followed by coconut water, green tea, and two glasses of nimbu paani (lemonade).
The Enduring Practice of Yoga: More Than Just Exercise
For over two decades, yoga has been a central pillar of Deanne Panday’s fitness journey. She views yoga not merely as a form of exercise but as a way of life that instills stability, peace, and mindfulness. Her dedication to yoga began at a young age, with the practice offering a unique sense of calm compared to gym workouts.
Yoga as a Holistic Wellness Tool
Panday’s consistent workout schedule balances strength training with flexibility and mental clarity. She believes that the lasting impact of yoga extends to both physical and mental well-being, helping her stay grounded amidst the demands of her career as a model, celebrity trainer, and author. She also encourages combining yoga with weight training for optimal health.
Beyond Physicality: Spiritual and Mental Health
Deanne Panday’s approach to fitness is broad, encompassing overall health for the body and mind, including spirituality. She believes that yoga aids in dealing with life’s issues more effectively, contributing to a smoother life even as she approaches significant milestones like turning 50.
The 90:10 Rule: A Practical Approach to Indulgence
One of the most relatable and sustainable aspects of Deanne Panday’s fitness mantra is her “90:10 rule” for diet. This philosophy allows for flexibility and prevents the common pitfalls of restrictive dieting, which often lead to cravings and eventual abandonment of healthy habits.
Balancing Discipline with Enjoyment
The 90:10 rule means eating clean 90% of the time, while allowing for indulgences in cravings for the remaining 10%. This pragmatic approach acknowledges that humans desire to enjoy themselves and that overly strict diets are often unsustainable. By incorporating small, guilt-free indulgences, Panday avoids intense cravings and maintains a consistent healthy lifestyle. She believes this balance is key to true health and happiness.
A Legacy of Wellness: Inspiring Beyond Bollywood
Deanne Panday’s influence extends far beyond her son’s budding Bollywood career. A former model, best-selling author of books like “I’m Not Stressed” and “Shut Up and Train,” and a respected wellness coach, she has trained numerous Bollywood celebrities, including Bipasha Basu, John Abraham, Dino Morea, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Preity Zinta.
Her disciplined approach to fitness was rooted in passion rather than trends, with her embracing organic food and yoga long before they gained mainstream popularity. Panday’s enduring commitment to a balanced lifestyle, rooted in clean eating, consistent yoga practice, and the realistic 90:10 rule, continues to inspire many to prioritize their holistic well-being. She advocates for listening to one’s own body and finding what works best individually, rather than obsessing over societal fitness ideals.
