Poorva Chavan
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Written By: Poorva Chavan | Updated : May 9, 2016 5:20 PM IST
Read this article in HINDI.
Two years ago, Deepika Chowdhury was only a research scholar who's life revolved around her home and her laboratory. But today she's the only Indian woman to become a professional body builder and hold the International Federation of Body Building (IFBB), pro card. I caught up with Deepika to find out what is it like to be a professional body builder in India and to know about her fitness routine.
Why did you take up body building
Two years ago, my husband encouraged me to join the gym and take up fitness. I was never into weight lifting before 2012, I was only into athletics games like 400m to 1500m run during my school days. When I started working out at the gym, I would do things mechanically. Just lift the weights as the trainer would explain but slowly I started developing interest and started asking a lot of questions. My trainer suggested that I complete the basic fitness trainer course and sports nutrition course from the K11 academy in Pune. That is when I came to know about body building as a sport. During that time I came to know about SHERU Classic, the only body building event in India and visited Delhi to attend it. That is where I met my mentor and idol, Shannon Dey. The moment I saw her, I knew I wanted to build a body like hers. I met her and spoke to her at length, and she cleared all my doubts about body building. I decided to become a figure athlete.
Her daily routine
I wake up every day at around 5 am in the morning and walk for an hour. I come back home and prepare my meal and leave for work as I have to reach my lab by 9.00 am. I leave by the lab by 5.30 - 6.00 and directly hit the gym. I work out for two hours every day and then head back home by 9.00 pm.
Working out at the gym
At the gym, I warm up for half an hour before I start weight training. A warm up helps me exercise for a long time and also reduces the chances of injury. While working out, I target each and every body part. In a week, two days go in training on the legs and rest of the four days I train on my upper body focussing on back, chest and shoulders. Apart from weight training, I do cardio for at least 30 minutes every day and practise High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) twice a week.
I don t work out on Sundays at all and usually spend them in grocery shopping and preparing my meals for the next week.
What is your diet like?
I eat six to seven meals a day, and it contains all food groups. I make sure I eat enough calories that I can burn later. I eat proteins, carbohydrates, fats and fibre. Also, my diet changes according to my show. So if the show is near hand, I will alter my diet accordingly.
On a regular day, my breakfast would consist of eggs and lunch would contain stir fried vegetables or a chicken pulao. I also incorporate apple cider vinegar as it helps in better digestion.
Cheat meals
I have a big sweet tooth, and whenever I feel like eating a kulfi or a pastry or dark chocolate, I go ahead and eat it. But I make sure that I eat it in moderation and burn it all out with HIIT. Since I have a high metabolic rate, it's easier for me to burn fat. Although I prefer getting all my nutrition from food, my diet also includes supplements like whey protein, glutamine, BCAA, multivitamins, ZMA and antioxidants as they help in recovering and keeping joints healthy.
How do men react after looking at you or while you are working out at the gym?
No, men don't get intimidated by me. Although a few of them are competitive, they are more or less supportive. There are many who have told me that I have inspired them to take up body building. They compliment my body all the time.
What about women? Do they think your body is manly?
There are women who respect me and love me for my achievements but don't want to look like me. And it's fine. It's their opinion, and I have nothing to say to them. I just want to say that everyone should respect that someone looks a little different.
About the negative comments, the attitude towards one another needs to change.
How has body building changed you as a person?
Body building has had a tremendous impact on my personality. Two years ago I was a very irritated person with major anger management issues. But now, I am more calm, disciplined and patient. Muscles are not built in a day and the time it takes to achieve the desired results and that teaches you patience. Now, I can understand situations better, and I can deal with tough and most adverse situations easily.
Watch Deepika talk about her one-minute fitness mantra
One thing that you'd like everyone especially women to know about body building
If you want to get into body building, go ahead. But first, understand what the sport is all about. Meet experts and take their opinion. Do not depend on Google or the internet for guidance.
Image source: Deepika Chowdhury
