Video jockeys (VJs), who initially rose to fame in the ’90s, are now thriving in their respective fields and have adapted unique fitness routines tailored to their individual lifestyles. This adaptation is deeply influenced by their career demands and personal fitness goals. Let’s delve into the fitness journeys of some of these prominent VJs and how they shape their health and wellness.
### Shenaz Treasury: Embracing Fitness from a Young Age
Shenaz Treasury vividly recalls a family vacation to Singapore’s Sentosa Island at the age of 12 that sparked her initial foray into fitness. As she and her sister struggled to make it back to shore while cycling in the ocean, their concerned father introduced them to the world of fitness training. Being the daughter of a ship captain, Treasury was no stranger to water and would frequently swim laps, developing a strong foundation in physical fitness early on.
By her college years, Treasury had a well-toned midriff that made her a popular choice for commercials, despite being slightly plump by industry standards. Reflecting on her early fitness regimen, she says, “People often told me I should lose five kilos. Even during the filming of *Ishq Vishk* in 2003, director Ken Ghosh suggested weight loss because my co-actress was very thin.” She recalls overemphasizing cardiovascular activities without understanding the benefits of weight lifting—a mistake she hopes others will avoid.
Nowadays, as a travel influencer, Treasury finds ample opportunities to stay active. “While traveling, I stay active through climbing, surfing, or swimming,” she explains. She also consciously makes healthier dietary choices, instructing waiters to prepare meals with minimal salt and oil and avoiding refined sugar in favor of natural alternatives like coconut sugar and dates. Treasury encourages young women to appreciate their bodies, saying, “I spent my 20s stressing about my small belly and big thighs, but now I flaunt them proudly and am thankful for my thick, muscular legs.”
### Nikhil Chinapa: From Skinny Kid to Muscle Enthusiast
Nikhil Chinapa’s journey into fitness began as a response to childhood bullying. “I was a skinny kid with a big mouth, often getting beaten up for saying smart things. I got tired of it and decided to build some muscles at the gym,” he recalls. Weight training has since become an integral part of his life.
Stepping into the gym as a 50-kilo youngster, Chinapa found it challenging to gain weight and build muscle mass. He resorted to natural dietary sources rather than protein supplements, a practice he continues to uphold. Traveling extensively for work, Chinapa would ensure he stayed fit by using hotel gyms and treadmills, though he admits his approach was often ad hoc.
Chinapa’s fitness philosophy has evolved over the years, and he now realizes the importance of structure and focus.
. A Roadies trip with co-judge Neha Dhupia introduced him to yoga, which he now practices regularly, finding it beneficial for mobility and weight training. He emphasizes the importance of finding a compatible yoga teacher, noting that the right instructor can significantly enhance the experience.
### Maria Goretti: Culinary Wisdom Fuels Health
Maria Goretti’s health journey began in the kitchen as she learned the ropes of French cooking. With this newfound knowledge, she became acutely aware of how unhealthy certain foods can be. For example, she once loved ordering eggs benedict, until she realized that its hollandaise sauce was a calorie-dense mixture of egg yolks and olive oil.
Goretti has since endeavored to create tasty yet healthy meals for her family. At home, she caters to diverse dietary preferences and needs—soups for her parents, vegetables for herself, and protein-rich meals for her children. She also emphasizes the importance of using fresh ingredients and avoiding foods with long shelf lives, which are often laden with preservatives.
When it comes to cooking, Goretti advises against adding extra flavors to vegetables, as they have their own unique taste. She also prepares small portions to ensure freshness, even though this approach demands more time in the kitchen. Goretti’s meticulous approach extends to marinating meats overnight and avoiding the combination of raw and cooked foods, as they require different digestion processes.
**Cyrus Broacha: The Passionate Bodybuilder**
Cyrus Broacha has nurtured a lifelong passion for bodybuilding, maintaining a rigorous and structured weekly training routine. His focus includes different body parts on specific days, targeting shoulders on Mondays, legs on Tuesdays, and chest and back muscles on subsequent days.
The pandemic significantly impacted Broacha’s fitness perspective, highlighting the difficulty of regaining lost fitness levels after a period of inactivity. This revelation pushed him to adopt more consistent training habits, even considering exercising seven days a week. Now in his 50s, he recognizes the importance of preserving muscle mass.
Broacha is critical of the average gym-goer’s lack of intensity, particularly Indian men. He chides those who treat the gym casually and prefers explosive, fast-paced workouts. Besides weight training, his cardiovascular exercise comes from these vigorous routines. Over the past two years, Broacha has also become more diet-conscious, reducing sweets and balancing carbohydrate intake with protein to minimize sugar spikes.
In conclusion, these video jockeys of the 90s have not only retained their charm but also adapted to modern fitness trends, integrating exercise and mindful eating into their lives. Their stories serve as inspiration for anyone looking to balance a busy career with a healthy lifestyle.