Kriti Shastry has had an inspiring journey from being bullied in school to becoming a fitness icon herself, where everybody respects her and wishes to have some tips from her. But very few know her actual transformation journey. Therefore, Women Fitness got in touch with her to bring to you her true journey into finding her peaceful and happy abode in fitness.
Lets hear what Kriti has to say.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have had an incredible transformation journey, tell us how it began?
Ms. Kriti Shastry:
My transformation didn’t really have a defining start, it was very gradual. The first time I ever felt that I wanted to exercise was after being humiliated by my classmates in 9th grade for not being skinny. I was a victim to body shaming and bullying at an early age and I wanted to make a change. It started out as a journey to lose a few pounds but somewhere along the way, I realised that true happiness comes from loving yourself however you are. Working out can really change the person you are, it is a more emotional and mental change than physical.
FULL INTERVIEW ON NEXT PAGE!
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness Org
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What was the breakthrough point in your life, when you finally decided to take control of things and transform it for good?
Ms. Kriti Shastry:
When we are teenagers, we put everything that happens to us under a microscope and believe it to be permanent. When I went through body shaming and social anxiety at the age of 15, I really thought that my life was over and that I didn’t deserve anything. Cursing myself and self hate lead me to a very dark place for quite some time and I didn’t have anyone to pull me up. And then I asked myself, why should I suffer if they are the ones making fun of me? Why should I hate myself when I can become a person I love? This was when I took the first step towards exercising and I started out with dance sessions, which I’ve been passionate about since my childhood.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in your life.
Ms. Kriti Shastry:
Well, my life seems to be constantly evolving but I can take you through a typical day in my present life. I always start my day with a cup of coffee and a journal in which I write down my intention for the day, what I’m thankful for and what I choose to do. After that I make myself presentable, make some breakfast and start my work (I am an online coach so I have client calls). I go to the gym around noon. Working out is my meditation. I take no calls or messages during this time and I would hardly even engage in conversations with other people. This is my “me-time” and I truly enjoy it. After that, I’m pretty much held up till late night as I’m still working on building my empire.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine?
Ms. Kriti Shastry:
Any workout routine I follow always includes the basic exercises that form the foundation of bodybuilding : Squats, deadlifts, bench press, rows, shoulder presses, lunges, leg press and a lot more.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness Org
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about the food/meal routine that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Kriti Shastry:
I truly believe that every person is unique and there is no one solution for everybody to a successful diet. I have tried different foods and different caloric intake to know what works for my body. What I truly like and can stay consistent with is flexible dieting. I focus on eating a lot of vegetables and fruits but also fit in foods that I crave for and enjoy once in a while.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How would you explain the role of eating healthy in leading a fit & healthy lifestyle?
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
According to me, “eating healthy” is a very misleading term. Eating healthy is not just all greens, veggies and fruits. Health is what makes you feel good from the inside. Ofcourse fruits and veggies are great, but you should be able to find that balance between what you body needs and what your heart wants. Consistency is the most important part of any diet and the reason why you don’t get results is because you find it difficult to be consistent. Dieting does not have to “hard”. Dieting is just being conscious about what you put in your body and making informed decisions.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You are also a Bikini Competitor, tell us more about it.
Ms. Kriti Shastry:
I did my first bikini competition this year and it was an unforgettable experience. I had never really had this in my goals list but I have always loved taking up new challenges and working hard to prove to myself that I can do anything. Since I had been training and learning about dieting and understanding my body better, I decided to do a competition prep to see how far I can push myself mentally. I think there is so much more to a competition prep than just looking good. Yes there is training and diet according to the goal but there are so many mental struggles that you have to fight against. Balancing work, food, trips, cravings, and all the stress was a challenge and I’m proud to have won against all.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How would you guide someone who has just started working out in a gym?
Ms. Kriti Shastry:
The most important advice that I can give someone just starting out is : Do not go in with the goal of losing x pounds. If you’re always just thinking about weight loss and not about changes in your energy levels and how you feel from within, you will not be able to see your progress and you will constantly judge yourself based on your looks. If you’re just starting out, analyse how you feel during and after exercising, show your body that you care, nourish yourself with nutritious food. This will help you feel more confident about yourself and make better progress. And if your mindset is right, trust me, the aesthetic results will follow.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness Org
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Would you like to tell us about the changing scenario of fitness in our country over the years?
Ms. Kriti Shastry:
I think over the years people are increasingly becoming more aware of being fit and taking care of what they eat. However, even today the misconceptions about weight loss and nutrition are widespread and it is hard for people to get the right information from trustworthy sources. This is one of the reasons why I have decided to step foot in this industry as I also had the same misconceptions and I did not have anyone to guide me through. So I want to help as many people as I can by being that trustworthy resource that people can count on.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What are your future plans in the field of fitness?
Ms. Kriti Shastry:
After doing my first competition, I have fallen in love with the process and I definitely want to continue competing and hopefully becoming a better version of myself with each competition. I am already doing online coaching and would continue to take on clients, changing lives one at a time. One of my other goals is to do fitness modelling and also work with companies that I value and whose visions align with mine.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding fitness trainers who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in this field?
Ms. Kriti Shastry:
Being in the fitness industry is unlike any other industry as you have to constantly keep working on yourself. There is not any position that you can reach where you can stop pushing yourself, you have to be willing to put in the work every single day. You need to be mentally strong to survive the battle, which you build with hours and hours of practice at the gym. Also, have a strong foundation about your basics on training and nutrition. Follow people who are where you want to be and constantly keep learning so that you can spread the right information.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.org and message for our visitors?
Ms. Kriti Shastry:
I think you’re doing a great job in inspiring more women to start taking care of themselves and spread the right information. Women in India have a lot of misconceptions about weight training and weight loss and it is one of my goals to help change that. This is why I’m truly honoured to be a part of this website. Thank you for this opportunity!
Follow her on:
- https://www.instagram.com/kritishastry/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSnwklCCOeBHryRny_cahRQ
- https://twitter.com/kritishastry
- https://www.facebook.com/kriti.shastry
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness Org