For a person who hasn’t remained the typical hour-glass shape most of her life, talking about fitness can sound a bit off-track. But Huma Qureshi, recently seen in Gangs of Wasseypur, is game. The bubbly Delhiite, now that she has bagged a major role in director Anurag Kashyap’s film, has worked on her body and looks stunning. She says with a straight face that there is no quick-fix solution to a great body.
“I believe gaining fitness and health has to be gradual. I work out and maintain my bodynot because my profession demands it, but also because I feel health is the most wonderful gift from God. If we take care of it, it will take care of us.”
Well said! So what does she think about the rigorous training so many people, particularly actors, are put through to reduce flab? “It seems to me that people are punished for being fat. One should always do things in moderation. Just indulge in some activity that keeps you mobile. Invest in a good trainer who knows his job well. Nothing can go wrong if you accept the fact that everything takes its own pace and nature has its own way of dealing with our body. We should stop fighting our system.”
Huma believes that the human body is designed to sweat. “If we sweat normally, our skin glows, hair shines and there is a confident bounce in our walk. There is a surge of happy hormones within our body.”
She also has a word of advice for parents. “I find it very stupid that kids are always given cakes and other sugary stuff as a treat. A treat can also be a fruit and some other natural food. Such a habit should be inculcated from a young age by parents.”
Often one notices that people usually don’t care what they put inside their body as long as they look good. “That is an absurd notion. People lack an understanding of their own bodies. If we understand the connection between work, workout, rest and leisure, I think the job will be half done. If we take care of our body by taking small steps like sleeping on time, having the right kind of food and maintaining good mental health, we are bound to look and feel good.”
The actor is currently undergoing functional training for one of her future projects. She endorses yoga and underlines that it makes her fit and supple. “But I have also seen people with great bodies but zero flexibility. They can’t even touch their toes. So it is more important to have inner strength.”
She signs off by adding an important point to the conversation. “Children have got their fitness funda right. They eat when they are hungry, sleep when they are tired and play when they feel like, completely oblivious to their surroundings.”
