I love to read and learn by reading. I feel reading is to my mind, what running is to my body.
Moreover, learning is about exploring world’s best ideas and opinions.
Ever since I started to work on my fitness and self transformation, I knew that I quickly realised my limitations on holistic understanding of foods. When we do not have proper understanding due to lack of authentic sources, we fall prey to the hearsay things. And guess what they are more dangerous being half baked.
There is a lot of smoke in the social media and around us. Most of these so called fitness coaches/trainers lack the basic integrity. They are saying this or that because they are more interested in grabbing promotional deals from brands or using their platform to promote products earning high commissions.
They are out there to fool us compelling our I’ll equipped minds in believing that there exists a magical pill that will bring us health, happiness and fitness.
However, there are few but far in between this maze of social media influencers, some who have risen above mediocrity and still managed to find the following of millions. These are the ones who don’t come in public to simply make fortunes but share a common cord of finding joy and happiness through fitness.
They have made a big social change. A positive change.
I have always looked our seeking such people. And I am glad to tell you that I have found such people who are honest yet carry profound understanding of their domain.
Fitness is to be taken seriously. So, if you do care about getting fitter, then I would suggest that you too get into learning mode and listen to change makers.
So let me share with you these two personalities promoting love and happiness through fitness. [The list will grow in due course of time as I find more of such genuine and kind hearted individuals out there to lend us a helping hand. ]
Rujuta Diwekar
Milind Soman
So, let us explore these two influencers’ contributions and find out why we need their company and how they can help us grow:
Rjuta Diwekar: Nutrition Expert
Rujuta Diwekar is a nutritionist. She has been on the Big celebrities list of Bollywood Stars, Investment Bankers, Super Models, wannabe Miss World, Miss Universe etc. She has her own consulting firm with a team to work with anyone willing to get fit and pay for the same.
While her one to one programs could be only afforded by few, her words of wisdom are open to one and all. She does out her advice freely on YouTube, Instagram etc.
Though she is all this and much more, a better intro would be that she is so grounded and simple in her approach to health and well being.
I love to listen to what she has to say about food and diet. She gives very simple advice and tailed to Indian food habits. Her suggestions and tips are simple to understand. She connects and correlates our food and eating habits to our culture, history, lineage and self-pride.
How I came to know about her
If you would recall, there was once upon a time a Big Gossip about one film celebrity working on her zero size figure – Kareena Kapoor Khan. At that time, I was just getting started on my fitness journey. Therefore, I often referred the internet and the social media to find valuable tips and tricks to aid my fitness journey.
Initially, I felt that she would one of those popularity seeking figures with the help of a filmstar. So, I didn’t give her much attention. But, after a while, I came across one of her books – Indian Superfoods. I bought it being a person who trust what he reads. And wanted to confirm her merits.
The basic philosophy that I could bring home after reading this simple but a marvellous book is that you don’t need to search for the superfoods in malls and foreign locations. They are available in every nook and corner.
She recommends eating local, seasonal and according to our cultural habits and customs. And this philosophy struck the chord with me. By this time, I had realized that what we eat has a lot to do with our health and happiness. My village people philosophy had begun too take shape.
Why you must follow Rujuta Diwekar
Rujuta must be of my age butt she is faaar wiser to me. No doubt about that! And therefore, I look up to her on eating and fitness habits. Her Instagram page has over a million followers now.
You can follow her for she does not provide any sponsored advise. You might have seen media account filled with people asking you to buy this powder, that tonic etc. She never does that. Of course she prices a bomb for her courses and advise.
You will get to listen to her and connect with your culture. You will get to know your food better. You will find her advise easy to bite and digest.. Her plain simple ideas on food are very powerful.
They have helped me to feel at home with food now. And I truly believe that what we eat and feed our stomach is linked to the health of our mind, body and soul. She integrates our emotions with food. I mean, you will find her advise like your grannny, or mama or elder sister is taking care of you.
She also has a website – rujutadiwekar.com
You can educate yourself by reading some of her great books:
Don’t lose your weight, lose your mind
She is also present on youtube. You can follow her tips that appear in media from time to time. She has made a formidable impact on Indian psyche with her integrated approach to health, happiness and pride in our own food culture.
Milind Usha Soman
Who does not know the first Indian Supermodel – Milind Soman.
Who needs to know him if that person has heard, read about the Tuffs Shoes controversy involving Milind Soman and Madhu Sapre.
Or atleast you must have heard about the Alisha Chennai album or even watched it: Made in India, Ek Dil Chahiye bas Made in India
But Milind Soman I am discussing here is for an altogether different reason – his love for running. He’s the one who people identify me with. And that’s what drew to me dive into his social media accounts and learn more.
So, let us look at his works in the world of fitness which can inspire you too.
How I came to learn about his love for Running:
[You must also read his speech that he gave at the Nirma University as convocation address. click here. It’s a fabulous speech by the runner and fitness lover Milind Soman]
I have mostly detested media celebrities specially if they are from the film or modelling world. They are into show business and what they showcase need not be true.
But when you start getting identified by the name Milind Soman, you are bound to look into the matter. A very close school friend of mine one day complimented and remarked, “Buddy, you are our Milind Soman“.
I wasn’t sure why they would call me by that name. I wondered. And So, I googled! I looked into his social media accounts and I was immediately hooked in!
Why you must follow him
You can follow him for being unconventional to start with. Though he in his 50s but he is redefining how we must look at ourselves and live our 50s. He is the lover of running daily. His instagram account is called : Milindrunning.
His philosophy of fitness has been evolving over the years. What really strikes in him immediately is that he has grown his wisdom organically by experience and plain common sense. You will find his advisory so simple and easy to follow.
In his book, Made in India, he confessed that he used to be a smoker and tell you how he became a chain smoker. But, his love for being healthy and happy has been the biggest motivator to leave the habit and turn a teetotaller. His food habits and his thinking habits have one thing in common – eat healthy, think healthy and whatever you consume, make sure it is energising and not killing you!
He considers health as the biggest form of wealth and treats health and fitness as his to value. And that’s what I too value the most among the triumvirates ( health, relationships and money)
He owns a fitness event brand – PINKATHON . Pinkathon is about promoting running among the women who would love to run for their health and happiness. Pinkathon organises their women specific races across different cities in India. He looks at the issue woman empowerment from the glasses of fitness and self care.
And just like, Rujuta Mam, he will not sell you tonics, protein powders, shakes etc or ask you to buy this or that. He is occassionally asking you to run, move or simply stay healthy. Or so push ups of you want his autograph or these days, Selfie!
He is very open to what he eats and vlogs on his insta account. His fitness tips are spiritual. They strike the chord with your heart and mind, both.
So, he lives what he says.
He is million plus strong on his Insta. His sage advise on fitness and well being keeps appearing in media and newspapers every now and then.
Here are the names of 2 Books by Milind Soman and co-written by Roopa Pai.
In his autobiographical work, Made in India, he has also narrates his transition journey from being a swimmer to a runner. He discusses more on self care, health and fitness than his films and modelling career. And that’s what makes him worthy and more meaningful.
There are other equally good social influencers on fitness and well being. But, I don’t follow many. If you follow someone you would like to me follow, please do mention the details and share the links to follow.
