Experts dissect the risks and rewards of instant fitness dreams

The moment the robes are ripped off Chris Hemsworthrsquos Norse god in the new Taika Waititi film Thor Love and Thunder this writer was struck by the improbable physique of the Australian actor playing the role The awareness of watching a comic book film on the screen takes nothing away from the lengths to which he has gone to sculpt his current physiqueIn the golden age of Instagraminfluenced fads is it possible or even recommended for people to set out on quests to build similar physiques The growing reports of cardiac arrests among young seemingly fit individuals added to issues of dysmorphia issues with body image and nutritional imbalance led us to seek out professionals who might answer questions on the subjectDr Anup R TaksandeKill stressDr Anup Taksande Interventional cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospital in Mira Road is not a fan of the idea of body transformations ldquoThere is a pressure to have an ideal body prevalent in societyrdquo he remarks pointing out that it has led to overdependence on gymming or supplements ldquoNothing happens overnight Practice moderation and give your body timerdquo he points The doctor noted that the previous decade has seen a growing number of young adults 25 to 30 years suffer cardiac arrests caused by multiple factors of stress imbalanced nutrition and overexertionNutrition coach Sangeetha Aiyer agrees She tells us that while the deaths are tragic they are also a result of stressful lifestyles ldquoThere are nuancesrdquo she says adding ldquoThe time you spend in the gym is minimal What you do with the majority of the hours outside of the gym makes a bigger differencerdquo She points out that bingeing on processed food mdash now instantly accessible mdash as a mechanism to cope with stress also multiplies health problemsReel illusionSomething they both concur on is the danger of accepting social media Reels as truth Aiyer emphasises ldquoSocial media is the highlight Reel of peoplersquos lives It is not their entire liferdquo A strengthtrainer for the last decade Aiyer remarks that whether it is Hemsworth or Hrithik Roshan their transformations are aided by an army of nutritionists and trainers behind the scenes ldquoOne should try not to emulate what Thor or Hrithik does They are in a different profession which has different demandsrdquoAllan Thomas founder and head coach of Zealbox the Powaibased CrossFit centre elaborates ldquoThere is some lack of awareness about fitness on social media It is risky to take influencers as a benchmark for your own process Many influencers do not outline the science of fitness or the medical health or the nutritional planrdquoPerhaps the blame lies in the misconceived notion of fitness in society today Dr Taksande observes ldquoFitness is not about having defined muscles and abs It is the ability to carry out your daily routine and not be fatigued at the end of the day Thatrsquos the criterionrdquoA balanced dietAnother fact that peeves Aiyer is the lack of awareness regarding proper nutrition ldquoThere is a rampant misconception about protein in this countryrdquo she says Science demands the minimum consumption of protein per gram of the kilograms of desirable bodyweight However people either avoid protein and supplements due to misconstrued rumours or overdo it ldquoFood is fuel for the body If that is not corrected any plans for your transformation are redundantrdquo she addedThomas says that while it is difficult for working professionals to stick to nutritive food through the daily grind there needs to be a balance ldquoYou need to find a doable programme whether that is intermittent fasting or a regular fitness routinerdquo he saysKeep it simpleEasier said than done Thomas disagrees ldquoTwenty minutes of exercising will make a difference But it has to be consistent Aiyer adds ldquoThe amount of time we spend sitting is dangerous We need to start using the body If you donrsquot use it you startfeeling aches pains and muscle damagerdquoThomas also stresses on the need for mobility exercises ldquoEvery influencer talks about strength training and lifts But if you want to get through your day better focus on the smaller basic muscles Something as simple as stretching can help you be agile move better and function easilyrdquo he concludesThe Red FlagsNutrition Consume local seasonal and fresh food Check your daily intake of protein It satiates the body and keeps hunger pangs at bay Reduce the daily intake of carbohydrates if you have a sedentary lifestyleSangeetha AiyerThe Red FlagsFitness Choose a regular fitness routine Be consistent at it through the week Do not focus on high intensity workouts Find your own pace and avoid competing with others Get enough sleep It reduces stress and is imperative for mental and physical healthAllan Thomas