Nita Ambani, the chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, has shared insights into her fitness regime at 61, emphasizing the importance of self-care and a balanced lifestyle. Her routine incorporates a lifelong passion for Bharatanatyam, a disciplined workout schedule, a balanced vegetarian diet, and a focus on mental well-being. She encourages women to prioritize their health, highlighting that “It’s not about fighting age; it’s about owning it.”
Nita Ambani’s Enduring Passion for Bharatanatyam
Nita Ambani’s journey with Bharatanatyam began at the age of six, shaping not only her physical strength but also her mental discipline.
- Lifelong Practice: Nita has been practicing Bharatanatyam since the age of 6. This classical Indian dance form has instilled strong legs and a sense of rhythm and balance.
- Foundation for Fitness: She attributes her strong legs and overall fitness to her early training in Bharatanatyam.
- Dance as Exercise: Nita includes dance as part of her fitness routine, dedicating an hour to it on some days.
- Cultural Connection: Nita remains connected to her roots and heritage through dance.
- Early talent: Rare throwback photos show Nita Ambani performing Bharatanatyam as a child, proving she’s a gifted artist.
A Balanced Workout Routine
Nita Ambani’s workout routine is diverse and consistent, incorporating various activities to maintain overall fitness.
- Frequency: She works out 5-6 days a week.
- Leg Day Focus: Leg workouts are a favorite, leveraging the strength built from years of Bharatanatyam.
- Varied Training: Her routine includes leg workouts, upper body strength training, core exercises, and back exercises.
- Mobility and Flexibility: Yoga, stretching, and core workouts are essential components of her daily routine.
- Cardio and Endurance: Swimming, aqua exercises, and walking 5,000-7,000 steps daily contribute to her cardio and endurance.
- Gym and Aqua Exercises: She includes swimming and aqua exercises into her regimen.
Vegetarian Diet and Mindful Eating
Nita Ambani follows a balanced vegetarian diet, emphasizing organic and natural foods.
- Vegetarianism: She adheres to a vegetarian diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes.
- Organic and Natural Foods: Her food is primarily organic and nature-based.
- Protein Intake: Nita emphasizes the importance of protein in her diet to support muscle strength.
- Avoidance of Sugar: She avoids sugar and sugar substitutes.
- Mindful Eating: She believes in mindful eating and well-balanced meals.
- Key Nutrients: She monitors for nutrient deficiencies common in vegetarian diets, such as Vitamin B12, iron, and Omega-3s, and considers supplementation if necessary.
- Portion Control: Nita practices portion control and focuses on nutrient-dense meals to maintain a healthy weight.
Mental Well-being and the #StrongHERMovement
Nita Ambani emphasizes the importance of mental well-being and encourages women to prioritize self-care.
- Positive Mindset: Exercise keeps her in a positive frame of mind.
- Endorphin Release: She notes that exercise releases endorphins, which reduce stress.
- Holistic Well-being: Nita advocates for a holistic approach to well-being, encompassing both physical and mental health.
- #StrongHERMovement: She launched the #StrongHERMovement to encourage women to prioritize their health and well-being.
- Self-Care as a Necessity: Nita believes self-care is not a luxury but a necessity.
- Inspiration for Women: Her fitness journey is meant to inspire women to prioritize themselves and their health.
- Balance: She balances her diet with proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
- Hydration: Nita stays hydrated throughout the day.
- Warm water and lemon: She starts her day with a glass of warm water and lemon.
Nita Ambani’s Message to Women
Nita Ambani’s message is clear: prioritize yourself, take charge of your well-being, and embrace age with strength and grace.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Nita urges women to prioritize their health and well-being.
- Embrace Age: She believes in owning age, not fighting it.
- Small Steps, Big Impact: She advises dedicating at least 30 minutes a day, four times a week, to self-care.
- Unlock Potential: Nita believes that taking care of oneself unlocks one’s potential.
- Strength and Resilience: She highlights the importance of mental and emotional resilience, not just physical strength.
- Stamina for Life: For Ambani, fitness is more than just physical health—it’s about mental well-being and quality of life, building the stamina and energy to handle daily life with ease, whether lifting her grandchildren or positively embracing each day.
Detailed Diet and Fitness Tips Inspired by Nita Ambani
Here are more detailed diet and fitness tips inspired by Nita Ambani’s lifestyle:
Fitness Tips:
- Regular Workouts: Incorporate regular workouts into your routine, including cardiovascular exercises and strength training.
- Yoga for Flexibility: Practice yoga for flexibility and strength, improving joint mobility and preventing stiffness. Yoga enhances core strength, benefits posture, and improves stability. It also promotes self-awareness, mindfulness, and emotional resilience.
- Swimming: Swimming provides a full-body workout. It improves cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. It is also a low-impact exercise that is gentle on the joints and improves heart and lung function.
- Mobility, Flexibility, and Core Strength: Prioritize mobility, flexibility, and core strength in your daily routine.
- Aqua Exercises: On some days, add swimming and aqua exercises.
- Dancing: Dedicate some days to dance to keep your routine dynamic.
- Walking: Stay active while traveling by walking 5,000–7,000 steps daily.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals and adjust your routine as needed.
Diet Tips:
- Warm Water and Lemon: Start your day with a glass of warm water and lemon to kickstart your metabolism.
- Balanced Vegetarian Diet: Follow a predominantly vegetarian diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes.
- Beetroot Juice: Drink beetroot juice for its numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow and stamina.
- Avoid Processed Foods: Steer clear of processed foods and focus on whole, natural foods.
- Hydration: Stay hydrated throughout the day.
- Mindful Portion Control: Practice portion control and choose nutrient-dense meals.
- Protein-Rich Diet: Ensure you consume adequate protein through plant-based sources to support muscle strength. Clinical nutritionist Rakshita Mehra recommends 1-1.2g of protein per kg of body weight to combat age-related muscle loss.
- Organic and Nature-Based Foods: Prioritize organic and nature-based foods in your diet.
- Limit Sugar and Substitutes: Absolutely avoid sugar and sugar substitutes.
- Monitor Nutrient Deficiencies: As you get older, monitor for nutrient deficiencies such as Vitamin B12, iron, and Omega-3s, and consider supplementation if necessary.
By following these tips, inspired by Nita Ambani’s lifestyle, you can embark on your own journey towards better health and well-being.