In the era where fitness is often reduced to quick-fix workouts and restrictive diets, not to mention many celebrities who promote unrealistic body standards, Rakul Preet stands tall as someone who genuinely embodies wellness as a holistic lifestyle philosophy. For her, fitness is the cornerstone of her existence, influencing every aspect of her daily routine and long-term well-being. She radiates the discipline of an athlete, the curiosity of a student and the balance of someone who views wellness as much more than a toned body. “Fitness is a way of life for me. It is as important as eating food,” she says with characteristic clarity.
The actress, who has become a fitness icon for her relentless dedication and mindful practices, doesn’t treat wellness as a compartmentalised checklist. Instead, she embraces it as an everyday rhythm, via an alignment of body, mind and spirit. She doesn’t just talk about balance; she demonstrates it through practices that honour both ancient Indian wellness traditions and modern scientific understanding. Through consistency and self-awareness, Rakul has crafted a regime that is both aspirational and accessible. From her exercise routine to her clean, Ayurvedic-inspired eating habits, she exemplifies the idea that health is the greatest luxury. In an exclusive, she shares what her workout and diet looks like.
- Consistency is key
Rakul’s commitment to exercising is unwavering and is as fundamental as any other life-sustaining activity. “I workout seven days a week,” she shares. This seven-day commitment might sound extreme to some, but her approach reveals sophisticated understanding of how the body thrives on consistent stimulation rather than sporadic intense sessions. “Every day doesn’t mean that on the seventh day, I go all intense with my exercise. But I try to keep active with a walk or practise yoga,” she explains. It’s this flexibility, knowing when to push and when to restore, that makes her approach sustainable.
2. Mix things up
A true believer in variety, Rakul doesn’t confine herself to one form of training. “I like to mix and match my routines. I love weight training, so I try to do it 3 – 4 times a week. I do about 1–2 high-intensity workouts on other days,” she reveals. Her regimen is structured but never monotonous, keeping her body challenged and her mind engaged. Rakul has often advocated yoga and other exercises like kick boxing.
3. Exercise with a body-mind approach
Perhaps most revealing is her commitment to morning training. “Ninety percent of the time, I complete my workout first thing in the morning before starting my day. And that’s my sanity.” For her, that hour in the morning is not just about building strength, but it is about building clarity and the mental health benefits. “If I start my day with a workout, I have a clear thought-process. If I don’t exercise two days in a row, I am a very moody person,” she admits. Yet, she doesn’t equate longer hours with better results. “I don’t workout more than an hour a day.”
4. Sync with your monthly cycle
Her routine is also closely aligned with her body’s natural cycles. She listens to her body and adjusts her intensity accordingly. “I don’t exercise very intensely a week or 10 days before my period,” she says, underscoring her commitment to a kinder, more intuitive form of fitness.
5. Keep the diet simple
Rakul’s nutritional approach represents a masterclass in making ancient wisdom practically applicable to modern life. “Diet is nothing but the food that you eat. My diet includes dal, roti and sabzi,” she says simply. Her daily meals reflect her philosophy of balance, nourishment and an aversion to extremes.
6. Start on the right note
Her morning ritual sets the tone for intentional eating. “I start my day with turmeric or cinnamon water. I follow it up with 5 soaked almonds and 1 walnut, if I have a heavy weight training lined up immediately after. Then, I have ghee coffee,” she shares. Post-workout, she leans into protein, either with a smoothie or a breakfast rich in sprouts, poha, or eggs.
7. Trust the traditional Indian diet
Her main meals’ structure reflects the balance inherent in traditional Indian cuisine. “Lunch consists of rice or jowar roti with vegetables along with some form of protein like fish or chicken,” she explains. Her evenings are fuelled by lighter, nutrient-rich snacks such as chia pudding or fruit with yogurt. Dinner mirrors lunch but with a focus on satiety and lightness, keeping digestion in mind. Importantly, she acknowledges biological reality rather than fighting it. “But during my luteal phase and my period I eat more food.” This recognition of cyclical nutritional needs demonstrates how sustainable eating patterns honour rather than suppress natural body rhythms.
8. Don’t follow trends
“I eat a lot, but I eat clean food. I believe in the science of Ayurveda and going back to the recipes that our grandmas advocated,” she says. Unlike many who obsessively count macros, Rakul takes a simpler approach. “I don’t divide my food into carbs, protein or fats either. I don’t believe in fad diets but I advocate clean, healthy eating. For me eating rice is clean eating, but pizza isn’t.”
Her mantra is strikingly uncomplicated yet note-worthy. “Anything that comes in a packet, avoid it. If it is seasonal, fresh, then eat it. I don’t eat gluten, sugar or fried foods. Health, I believe, is internal and holistic.”
