Kanav Vohra - Fitness and Nutrition Is My Lifelong Love (Fitness Trainer From India)

I believe in speaking out of the experience and my personal trials and errors, so that my audience, my family can rely on the fact that I share knowledge and guide them from a place of hard work, honesty and authenticity.

Tell us more about yourself and your profession 

I’m Kanav Vohra and I was born and brought up in New Delhi, India. I have had one or another physical activity play an important role in my life since I can remember. My fitness journey started long before I knew what it meant - I started playing football at 8 years old, and honestly, there was no looking back.

I’m also a qualified advocate but I always say this - while Law is my crush, Fitness and Nutrition is my lifelong love. I have found myself feeling more and more intrigued by the future I had in health and fitness.

I currently conduct monthly workout challenges - my latest challenge is called the July Sweat Challenge and has over 1900 participants. We cover everything from workout, nutrition to daily motivation.

What is your fitness mantra?

My fitness mantra would have to be: The power of showing up has the calibre to make your dreams turn into reality. When our purpose to work out is to celebrate and take care of ourselves, the willingness to show up is driven by an undeniable mindset! The way we talk to ourselves determines the sustainability of our fitness lifestyle. Slow, Steady & Sustainable: When your motivation to workout does not fluctuate with the number on the weighing scale, you know you’re on the right track.

What are some of the major misconceptions about diets and exercises? 

Some misconceptions about diets and exercises I find to be very common are - Exercising with weights makes you more bulky and muscular - absolutely not! Weight training plays a significant role in the journey of weight/fat loss. Working out with weights increases one’s strength and muscle mass, which contributes to a faster metabolism and hence effective weight loss! 

• Carbs are the enemy: The Carbohydrates we consume in our meals actually contribute to the energy and regulation of blood control in our bodies! Carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy diet and when consumed in moderation they can contribute to high energy levels! 
• The longer the workout the more effective it is to your weight loss: The key to burning more calories during your workout is actually maintaining a heart rate that is high and fast which helps the muscles in our body contract and burn calories effectively. 
• One must cut out all their favourite foods to lose weight: Absolutely not necessary. We can consume our favourite foods from time to time as long as they are in key moderation and our calorie bracket.

How can one maintain a healthy lifestyle?

A healthy lifestyle begins with believing that the way we nourish our bodies and speak to ourselves matters a whole lot. A healthy lifestyle is achieved between celebrate ourselves every day and challenging ourselves to be better on the next.

Staying active in any form has proven to be physically as well as mentally rewarding, whether it’s a 30-minute evening walk to enjoy a sunset, a workout where you play your favourite songs or a mindful yoga class that brings you back to yourself. Alongside staying active, a healthy lifestyle includes a diet that does not feel restrictive.

Fenced freedom is a term I believe allows us to enjoy our favourite foods whilst being mindful about moderation and nutrients. The willingness to turn a “cheat meal” into a “celebratory meal” is the effort our bodies deserve 

How can one build a successful career in your field?

Building a successful career requires a balance between being passionate, well educated, and understanding the unique lifestyle each and everyone brings to the table. If the health and wellness of people are going to depend on what we speak it must come from a place of sound knowledge and profound understanding.

I believe in speaking out of the experience and my personal trials and errors, so that my audience, my family can rely on the fact that I share knowledge and guide them from a place of hard work, honesty and authenticity.

The fitness industry comes with a ton of myths - and the moment you start building an authentic voice, you will stand out! 

How do diets and exercise contribute to overall well being and happiness?

Diets and Exercises are most commonly associated with the reward of external inch/weight loss they bring to the table. But the closer you come towards understanding the nature of exercising and eating healthy the better you realise how these lifestyle changes can impact the least tangible parts of our lives!

Foods that temporarily bring joy to us power-packed with preservatives and chemicals are indigenously created to keep us wanting more. The cravings when satisfied feel great but when left unfulfilled can be the cause of sudden mood swings and lethargy.

On the other hand, engaging in physical activity of any kind releases dopamine and serotonin, which not only stabilises our mood but also boosts it by releasing the stress and anxiety in ourselves.

I believe this to be my biggest achievement as a coach - when my trainees come up to me and tell me that their mental health is improving because of the regular workouts. What a win.

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Interviewed by - Unnati Priya