Sushil Kumar stunned the world and did every Indian proud when he became the first and only person from our country to boast of back-to-back Olympic wins. He went on to shine in the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow last year where he won the gold in the 74 kgs Freestyle Wrestling match in a mere 107 seconds!

This much-acclaimed wrestler has always been extremely particular about his fitness levels and has become even more so in the past few years, following his oft-quoted mantra of ‘Every day there should be an improvement.’ While Sushil Kumar has definitely made his name as one of the greatest wrestlers that has represented our country, he is also a motivation for us ordinary folks looking to get and stay fit.

Giving the credit for his muscular yet flexible structure to his coaches, Sushil stresses on the importance of a healthy balanced diet in staying fit. He starts off his day with a 1.5 kms run and replenishes his energy levels with a tall glass of juice and a handful of almonds, kickstarting his day with a boost of nutrition that provides his body with essential vitamins and minerals, fills him up quickly and keeps him satiated for a long time, and is also a breakfast option that is easily accessible and can be eaten on the go as well.

This champion wrestler believes in staying true to his roots, and uses the same policy when it comes to his food – For carbohydrates, he prefers whole grain options over refined ones and eats them with his meals in the form of rotis or bread. Sushil understands the importance of staying hydrated, and ensures that he is stocked up on various juices that he can sip on throughout the day.

Protein is an essential food element for anyone looking to build muscle mass, so it goes without saying that it is extremely crucial for professionals like Sushil to get their recommended daily allowance of protein. But an interesting twist to the tale is that wrestlers traditionally stay away from non-vegetarian foods. So where does he get his protein requirements from then? From dals, dry fruits and milk, all of which he eats sufficient quantities of to ensure that the hours he puts into his workout have the maximum level of effectiveness.

Speakinng of his workout, Sushil has a rigorous schedule everyday with each day of the week having a different workout to ensure that his body doesn’t fall into a routine and is constantly challenged. In his opinion, it is imperative for wrestlers to work on their legs and core and not just their upper body, and he ensures he does this by using elastic bands, football and circuit training.

He ends his day by 10 pm and is up by 5 am everyday for his morning run, a healthy long time habit that he says has kept him disciplined and focused.

Let’s get inspired by this highly accomplished yet humble wrestler, and ensure we take some small steps required to lead our lives in a healthier way.

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Sources:

1. Fitbandits
2. Thehealthsite