“When you become fit, you feel you can do anything”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

India Test captain Virat Kohli has revealed that he has never been fitter in his life and added that he only started focusing on his fitness after the 2012 Indian Premier League (IPL).

Kohli is known as one of the most athletic players in the sport today, but he admitted that his improved fitness has also helped craft him into a better batsman and fielder.

“Till IPL 2012, I did not focus much on the physical aspect,” Kohli said. “I never got into the minute details of fitness, things like what I need to eat from morning to night, how much I need to work out and how much I need to train. After that IPL, I started listening to my body. I made a lifestyle choice.

“I wanted to explore a new side of my body to take me to the next level because I never wanted to be average. I wanted to best in the world. So I always had that mindset but never had the physical ability.

“When you become fit, you feel you can do anything. I will give you one example. I was never a quick fielder. I was never willing to field in every position. But after becoming fitter, lighter and stronger, I overcame all those doubts I had [about fielding]. Now it [staying fit, eating right] has become second nature to me.”

After having become a “fitness freak”, Kohli now hopes that he can inspire the younger generation to get fitter in order for them to enjoy more prosperous lives.

“If you look at some of the statistics [rising health problems in India], it causes fear in your mind,” he said. “So I want to create awareness on fitness, the importance of staying fit and healthy. You would be able to do what you want to do only when you feel fit from inside.

“I have never been as fit as I am today. It has worked beautifully for me. It has become a lifestyle choice for me. Even in my off time, I watch what I eat. In fact, I get more excited about fitness, feeling good, being healthy than anything else. That is probably because my body realises that fitness is what I would need after my professional career is done.”