Tamil actor Keerthy Suresh recently opened up about her face looking sculpted and losing weight rapidly in 2018-19. “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. When you engage in a lot of cardio, you can lose muscle. So, without strength training, I just did cardio. So, I lost weight quickly,” she told Galatta.com.
Adding that she “lost 8-9 kilos in a period of 8-9 months,” she continued: “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. It was because I was not working out in my life. I was just sleeping, eating, working, and coming back home, and sleeping, and then repeating. I didn’t do any workout. Is that good for health? No! In 2018, I got a break after my film Mahanati, which is when I realised (I need to work out).”
Taking a cue from her confession, let’s understand why strength training is crucial.
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Dr Surender Pal Singh, HOD – physiotherapy department, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, affirmed that losing weight and becoming fit are not necessarily the same thing. “When setting weight loss goals, it’s essential to ask: Are we becoming healthier in the process? Are we choosing the right method to achieve our goals? From a medical perspective, the basic principle of weight loss is straightforward: burn more calories than you consume to lose weight and consume more calories than you burn to gain weight. This calorie balance forms the foundation of any weight management plan,” said Dr Singh.
It’s important to strength train (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
That said, the way you burn calories matters. Dr Singh said that many people focus solely on cardio exercises, such as running, cycling, or aerobics, to burn fat. “While cardio is effective in burning calories, relying on it alone can lead to muscle loss over time. If you’re not engaging in strength training, your muscles may weaken, and your overall fitness may decline in the long run,” said Dr Singh.
This is why a balanced approach is crucial for achieving sustainable weight loss and enhanced fitness. There are two key elements to focus on.
First, being mindful of your calorie intake, considering what and how much you eat, is vital. “Second, your workout routine, a healthy mix of cardiovascular exercises and strength training, ensures better results. Strength training not only builds muscle mass but also improves metabolism, enhances body composition, and supports long-term fitness,” said Dr Singh.
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DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.