From fitness icons to film stars, Akriti Pal focuses on the men and women who prove that true wellness isn’t about restriction — it’s about balance, joy, and a dash of decadence.
Deepika Padukone
A vocal mental-health advocate, Deepika begins her day with meditation and clean eating, but she’s the first to admit that a square of dark chocolate or a plate of homemade South Indian comfort food keeps her grounded. She believes that balance is about awareness, not deprivation.
Virat Kohli
Known for his legendary fitness regimen and plant-forward diet, Virat believes in earning his indulgences. A good workout makes a good meal taste better – whether that’s a cheat-day chhole bhature or a perfectly brewed artisanal coffee.
Hrithik Roshan
Fitness icon Hrithik Roshan swears by balance. A stickler for form and functional fitness, he allows himself the occasional indulgence – a plate of biryani or a treat from his favourite patisserie. According to his chef, his favourite cheat meals include tandoori chicken, BBQ chicken, no-carb burger, and pizza with a jowar base.
Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt is candid about her fitness and skincare routine. “I work out six days a week — strength training, yoga, Pilates, and some steady-state cardio,” she shared. Yet, she’s just as open about her love for comfort food, admitting during an Instagram Q&A that she loves aloo parathas every morning and never says no to chocolate.
Kareena Kapoor Khan
Kareena Kapoor Khan embraces balance, indulging in traditional comfort foods like khichdi with ghee, parathas, as well as Italian favourites like pizza and pasta. She also enjoys seasonal treats like mangoes, pairing her love for food with a disciplined fitness routine that keeps her lifestyle grounded and joyful.
Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar champions a guilt-free approach to fitness, enjoying jalebis, barfi, and chole puri without obsessing over calories. His balance lies in discipline — finishing dinner before 6.30 pm, and starting his day before dawn with jogging, martial arts, swimming, and yoga — blending indulgence with Ayurvedic-inspired wellness and mindful living.
The Science Of A Little Indulgence
It turns out that a slice of cake or a lazy Sunday lie-in isn’t the enemy of wellness, it’s part of it. Research in behavioural science and nutrition psychology shows that allowing occasional indulgences actually helps people maintain long-term healthy habits. Rigid restriction can trigger stress and burnout, while small pleasures release dopamine and serotonin — the “feel-good” neurotransmitters that reinforce positive behaviour. In short, treating yourself in moderation keeps your mind relaxed, your motivation high, and your relationship with health sustainable. After all, balance isn’t built in the gym or on a yoga mat alone; it’s shaped by how kindly we treat ourselves in between.
