Start in Your 30s, Not Your 50s
One of Diwekar's core messages, using Karisma as a prime example, is that long-term health is the result of habits built over decades. She explains that women's bodies undergo significant hormonal shifts in their 30s, which can affect everything from
metabolism to bone density. Rather than waiting for problems to arise, this is the ideal time to establish a foundation of good health. Karisma's enduring fitness isn't from a recent crash diet; it's the 'cumulative benefit' of consistent effort since her 30s. This proactive approach helps manage the natural changes that come with age, ensuring you enter your 40s and 50s with strength and vitality.
Focus on Exercise, Not Just Weight Loss
In a culture obsessed with the number on the scale, Diwekar urges a radical shift in perspective: exercise for strength, stamina, and mobility, not just to lose weight. She recommends a minimum of three hours of exercise per week, which could include anything from walking and yoga to dancing or strength training. This approach helps build and maintain crucial bone mineral density and muscle mass, which are vital for healthy ageing. Karisma herself is an advocate for yoga and simple movements over being a 'gym person', proving that consistency in an activity you enjoy is more effective than sporadic, intense workouts you dread. The goal is to make movement a non-negotiable part of your life.
Eat Everything, But Mindfully
Diwekar's most famous—and perhaps most liberating—advice is to reject restrictive diets. She advises against cutting out entire food groups like carbs or traditional fats like ghee. Karisma herself has spoken about losing weight while eating fish curry and rice for dinner, a testament to the philosophy that no single food causes weight gain. The key is moderation, portion control, and eating traditional, home-cooked meals. Diwekar emphasizes that removing joy from food by following fad diets can lead to micronutrient deficiencies and is ultimately unsustainable. Instead, she encourages eating local, seasonal foods and listening to your body's signals of hunger and fullness.
Prioritise Sleep and Recovery
Fitness isn't only about what you do when you're awake; it's also about how well you rest. Diwekar links good health directly to sleep quality and stress management. She advocates for simple habits like having dinner by 8 p.m. and, crucially, staying away from all screens for at least 30 minutes before bed and after waking up. This practice helps sync your body's natural circadian rhythms, aids in mental clarity, and allows for physical restoration. A good night's sleep ensures your body recovers from exercise, regulates hormones, and manages stress, all of which are essential for long-term health and preventing burnout.
