The fitness icon

From the value of proteins to his love for Parsi food, John Abraham reveals what keeps him in action

John Abraham.

Emotion may not be his forte but when it comes to action, few can beat John Abraham at the box office. With films like Force and Rocky Handsome, John is on the way to establish himself as the local Rambo. In the city for a Reebok fitness workshop, John says, “All great action actors including Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis believe attitude is the only trait which makes a complete action hero for which good fitness is mandatory.”

John is an early riser and dedicates different days in the week to different parts of the body. “My fitness regimen depends on what goal I have and generally the routine includes core, functional, cross-fit and strength exercises which I do by hitting the gym.”

Being an ardent football player, he believes that sports can help build intrinsic power and complements fitness routine. “Although sports cannot replace the required exercise as an alternative to regular workout, it can complement the workout which gives tremendous results,” says John.

In

Rocky Handsome , he was seen doing Aikido, a Japanese martial art form and he believes one should inculcate the kind of discipline that martial arts teach. “As you practice it daily, it teaches you self-control and balancing which is useful in decision-making in daily life too,” remarks John. Apart from the workout at the gym, he also believes in the power of alternate ways of maintaining health through yoga and meditation. “At the gym you can do exercise for your back but what about the lower back? So Chakrasan becomes important, and for stretching thighs Vajrasan is the best way. So yoga must be included in your exercise schedule for overall fitness.”

He prefers home cooked food when it comes to daily meals and avoids canned and fast food alternatives while shooting outdoors. Instead he picks salads and fruits. Born to Malayali father and Parsi mother, John prefers Parsi food. “I like pattra ni machchi (steamed fish wrapped in a banana leaf) and dhansak (toor dal gravy) and can eat them on a daily basis if allowed,” laughs John. He supplements his regular diet with essential fatty acids and amino acids but he is strictly against the use of anabolic steroids as they have long term repercussions.

“At least one should maintain a ratio between protein intake and body weight. If I weigh 94 kg, I must consume 94 grams of protein to fuel my body, and anyone who is doing workout must maintain a protein rich diet which daily food cannot provide. Protein supplements can contribute to energy requirements of the body.”

He says the tech-savvy generation, living a sedentary lifestyle, should be motivated towards fitness else it can result in serious health complications. “For motivating anyone, we need to pull him out of his easy chair and bring him in an open space so that he understands the real joy of healthy living. But ultimately that urge for change should come from within so that positive things start happening which the person can feel himself,” advises John before hitting the floor.