Actress Keerthy Suresh has long been admired for her screen presence, but behind the glamour lies a candid fitness journey. A few years ago, she shed around nine kilograms, not through crash diets or pills,
but through intense cardio sessions. Now, she’s speaking openly about why that approach, while effective for quick weight loss, left her with unintended side effects.
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How Keerthy Suresh Lost Weight With Cardio Only
“In 2019, I was very chubby. I was a little built… wouldn’t say fat. I am not a very fat person. I did a lot of cardio,” Keerthy Suresh shared in an interview with Gallata.com. “When you engage in a lot of cardio, you can lose muscle. So, without strength training, I just did cardio. I lost weight quickly.”
The results were visible. “That’s when my face looked sculpted. I agree; I was looking very thin at that time because when I saw pictures from 2019, my face looked so emaciated,” Keerthy admitted. The actress also revealed her lifestyle then was far from healthy: “I was not working out in my life. I was just sleeping, eating, working, coming back home, and sleeping again, and then repeating.”
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Why Cardio Alone Isn’t Enough
Cardiovascular exercise, whether walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling, is great for burning calories and improving heart health. But fitness experts warn that too much cardio without resistance training can lead to muscle loss. Muscle mass is crucial for boosting metabolism and maintaining strength.
Ideally, cardio should be paired with at least two to three days a week of strength training. This balance not only improves body composition but also prevents the “skinny-fat” look, where weight is lost but muscle tone is lacking.
A More Balanced Approach
Now, Keerthy incorporates strength training into her routine, aiming for long-term health rather than just quick fixes. Experts recommend 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio per week, or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity, combined with weight or resistance training. Factors like age, muscle mass, workout intensity, and daily activity all influence calorie burn.
Keerthy’s story is a reminder that fitness isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing it smart.