Mallika Sherawat, known for her vibrant screen presence and enduring physique, exemplifies a holistic approach to health that extends far beyond conventional workouts. At 48, her commitment to fitness is a testament to consistent effort, a focus on inner well-being, and a disciplined lifestyle, proving that age is truly just a number when it comes to maintaining vitality. She often emphasizes that there are “no shortcuts to health” and that “nothing replaces the power of regular exercise and consistency.”
The Pillars of Physical Strength: Gym and Yoga
Sherawat’s physical fitness regimen is a dynamic combination of intense gym workouts and the ancient practice of Iyengar Yoga, both contributing to her toned and strong physique.
Intense Gym Routines for a Toned Physique
Mallika’s gym routine integrates strength and cardio exercises designed to target multiple muscle groups. Her workouts often begin with cycling to boost stamina, improve cardiovascular health, and warm up her body. She then moves on to exercises like leg curls to strengthen hamstrings and the lower body, and rope pulls, which engage her arms, shoulders, and back, enhancing grip strength and endurance. She’s also seen performing band workouts for glutes, weighted lunges, and core exercises using a ball, highlighting a diverse and challenging routine. She advocates that genuine fitness cannot be bought but must be earned through hard work and commitment.
The Centering Power of Iyengar Yoga
A significant aspect of Sherawat’s fitness philosophy is her dedication to Iyengar Yoga, a practice she has embraced for over five to six years. This form of yoga focuses heavily on the structural alignment of the physical body through various asanas (postures). What sets Iyengar Yoga apart is its precision, sequence of poses, and the common use of props like belts or blocks to assist practitioners in achieving correct alignment, even those with physical limitations.
Mallika views Iyengar Yoga not just for its physical benefits, but primarily for its positive impact on mental health. She considers it a form of meditation, a great stress reliever, and a promoter of positive energy. It has helped her feel calm, mentally strong, and even aided in overcoming food cravings, particularly for sugar. She emphasizes that “the real practice of yoga is going within yourself” and prefers to practice without distractions like loud music or mirrors.
Mindful Wellness: Beyond the Physical
Mallika Sherawat’s wellness routine extends beyond physical exercise to include practices that nurture her mental and emotional health, underscoring her belief in a holistic approach.
The Importance of Stretching and Flexibility
Stretching is an integral part of Mallika’s routine, often serving as a warm-up for her yoga sessions. She shares tips on how to warm up the back to improve flexibility and performs various stretches, including the Vrikshasana pose. Stretching is crucial for improving performance in physical activities, decreasing the risk of injuries, enhancing joint mobility, and increasing muscle blood flow. She has also been seen performing challenging asanas like Chakrasana (Urdhva Dhanurasana) and the Wheel pose, often utilizing props like a yoga wheel to deepen stretches and release tension.
Embracing Self-Care Rituals
Sherawat incorporates specific self-care rituals to unwind and manage stress. She has shared glimpses of her enjoying acupuncture and sound healing sessions as a “weekend reset” ritual. Acupuncture is known for relieving discomfort from various conditions, while sound healing helps reduce stress and anxiety, improves sleep quality, and promotes emotional release.
The Discipline of Diet: A Vegan Lifestyle
Mallika Sherawat is a staunch advocate for healthy eating, primarily adhering to a disciplined vegan diet. She has been a vegetarian her entire life and a vegan for over a decade.
Plant-Based Nutrition
Her diet primarily consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, green juices, and nuts. She typically starts her day with a bowl of mixed fresh-cut fruits and a glass of green juice, with mango being a favorite. For lunch, she often opts for fresh green salads in raw form, accompanied by a vegan smoothie. Bhindi (okra) is a favorite cooked vegetable. She strictly avoids gluten and processed foods. Mallika is also careful about what she consumes, preferring home-cooked meals and trying to follow a “no-eating-outside rule.”
No Shortcuts to Health: The Lifestyle
Mallika believes that a plant-based diet can play a crucial role in fighting lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart disease, advocating for conscious food choices and avoiding animal products, dairy, and excessive sugar. She has also revealed that while she used to be a “big-time sweet lover,” she has conquered sugar cravings, opting for dates as a healthier dessert option. Her dedication to a simple, nutritious diet, coupled with her rigorous physical and mindful practices, truly encapsulates her fitness mantra of discipline, strength, and mindful wellness.
