Kiran Bedi reveals fitness mantra at 74: ‘I have never had samosa, poori, kachori, pakode…’

Sharing some advice for those in their 30s and 40s, Dr Bedi said that it is necessary to first accept whatever situation you are in life and then take the decision to either reject it or change it

Kiran Bedi's fitness mantra is inspirational (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

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One of the finest former officers of the Indian Police Force, Kiran Bedi is a name to reckon with. The former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry is fit like a fiddle at 74. Sharing her fitness mantra, Dr Bedi revealed how meditation and yoga have helped her along with journaling, in a freewheeling conversation with Habuild founder Saurabh Bothra.

“I have never had samosa, poori, kachori, pakode. I don’t eat ‘faltu‘ (useless) stuff for which I need to repent later. I never consciously have had fried stuff. If I crave pani puri, I would rather drink kanji,” said Bedi, who is credited as the first woman to join officer ranks in the Indian Police Service.

Sharing more about her routine, she said that she is particular about her walks. “I love walking. Fitness is my routine. If I don’t dedicate time to fitness, then I let go of one of the meals. I don’t feel hungry. If I need to enjoy my food, then I must work out. This is why I don’t cheat. So, my exercise is linked to my appetite. Walking in the evening, and yoga and meditation in the morning is the best,” expressed Bedi, who added that she likes to stick to a routine. “I anticipate the regret of letting go of my routine and I don’t want to regret it,” added Bedi.

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According to Bedi, meditation allows one to become more “sensitive” to what’s happening around. “You become heightened sensitive to what’s happening to you. It helps you consciously strive towards betterment and think about the present even if your mind wanders to the past and future. My mind also goes back into the past and the future. But I have awareness to bring it back. If you are aware, then that means you have the mind over the might. I try and bring it back,” Bedi encapsulated.

Addressing how the habit of “self-talk” has helped her, Bedi recalled that she used to journal as a student. “As a student, I used to not share a lot of things with my family so that my family was not stressed. So, I used to do self-talk. I used to write my diary. I talk to myself now while walking which means you are thinking. You may not be talking aloud but you can clear your thoughts. So I get to gauge my mood too,” said Bedi.

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Sharing that considering death is an imminent part of life, she would like to not be ailing when her time comes. “I only pray I die like Dr Abdul Kalam while at work. He died while teaching. I don’t want to trouble anybody to come and keep visiting me. I don’t want to be ailing,” said Bedi.

Sharing some advice for those in their 30s and 40s, Bedi said that it is necessary to first accept whatever situation you are in life and then take the decision to either reject it or change it. “Don’t waste your energy. Don’t take things for granted. 30s is the time to put your life on track. When you are in your 40s, responsibility beckons and you should accordingly plan,” said Bedi.

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