Despite putting in a lot of effort at the gym, bodybuilders often don’t get the results they were hoping for. What is it that is missing? Is there a need for a new workout or a change in their eating habits? Will introducing meat in their meals help? Or will adding additional supplements help achieve the results? Most athletes are vegetarians, so adding meat to their diet, may not be advisable. Still not convinced about achieving results with only supplements and no meat? To prove my point, let’s introduce 5 vegetarian Indian Athletes, who have achieved the desired results with a simple intake of supplements and no meat.
1. Sushil Kumar: The only Indian to have won the Individual Olympic Medal
The freestyle wrestler who participated in the 66 kg category is a complete vegetarian. His breakfast consists of cornflakes, milk, buttered toast, and juice. His lunch & dinner includes 2 chapatis, seasonal vegetables, and a bowl of yogurt. Protein Supplements and Multivitamins are a part & parcel of his diet and he never misses them.
Sushil is of the option that vegetarianism is a very simple affair with not much to choose from. When you combine it with supplements everything falls into place. The Whey Protein is completely vegetarian with all the nutrients you need. As your needs grow you can order varying amounts of whey protein and other ingredients like Glutamine, L-Carnitine, Nitric Oxide, and Testosterone.
2. Varinder Singh Ghuman: Innovative Bodybuilder with a Smart Brain
Varinder Singh Ghuman is the first Indian vegetarian bodybuilder to go pro. Ghuman often referred to as “The HeMan of India”, won second place in Mr. Asia and first place in Mr. India. He believes genes play an important role in the development of muscles and believes in the implementation of supplements. Arnold Schwarzenegger has chosen him as the brand ambassador for his signature gymnasiums and food supplements across India.
With the intake of supplements, his diet consists of yellow daal, chapati, green salad, curd, and lassi.
He began his career as a promising cricketer, but with a chiseled body like his, he switched over to bodybuilding. In 2009, he won the Mr. India title and is the first Asian to get to the top line of Arnold Classic Europe, and International Championship of Bodybuilding.
3. Sangram Singh: A Wheelchair-Bound & Arthritis patient declared World’s Best Professional Wrestler
A professional wrestler who won a gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and was confined to a wheelchair for the first 8 years of his life.
His sheer grit and determination helped him overcome his limitation and conquer the title.
Sangram’s diet is as simple as it can be as it includes milk proteins, curd, dal, vegetables, and fruits. As a prolific Indian thinker, he does use an Ayurvedic herb called Ashwagandha, to increase his stamina. Along with resistance training his routine includes power yoga, running, cardio and dips. Recently, Sangram won the title of the world’s best professional wrestler in South Africa.
4. K. V Iyer: A physician who started the Bodybuilding Revolution in India
A physician to the Maharaja of Mysore, Professor KV Iyer started the bodybuilding trend in India, back in 1925. A dedicated vegetarian and teetotaller, his diet consisted of veggies, chapatis, ragi, unpolished red rice along with buttermilk and fruits. With starting the trend of bodybuilding, K V Iyer contributed to the development of modern yoga as a form of exercise.
Professor Iyer’s accomplishments speak volumes about him.
5. Karuppanan Venkatesan: Silver Medal Winner
Last year’s silver winner at the Natural Olympia Bodybuilding Championship, a competition only for vegetarian bodybuilders. His diet includes samba wheat and vegetables and rice and milk are a complete no.
Conclusion
Bodybuilding is a profession of commitment, discipline, and dedicated diet regime. Whatever diet you follow, stick to it and you shall get the results.
Steadfast Nutrition’s supplements include protein and calcium and if used wisely can provide all that a bodybuilder needs. Certain dry fruits like Almonds provide the much-needed plant protein and fiber needed for maintaining weight.
