Meet Bikram - Aspiring bodybuilder
/Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m an aspiring bodybuilder who wants to bring more of the old school aesthetic, which is contrary to modern day bodybuilding to just get bigger & bigger. Of course the size does matter for me but the symmetry and lines are far more important factor for me. I’m presently competing in NABBA WFF athletic division as this is more in line with my goals as a bodybuilder. My training style is very typical bodybuilding style weight training & cardio vascular activity as fits.
What do you do to stay fit?
I suppose my daily weight training and planned cardio & rest in conjunction with the my diet plan all has to work in synergy to keep me fit.
What inspired you to start training?
I have been an athlete since a child. I played Cricket & Volleyball at various levels in India before getting into track & fields throwing events (Javelin & Discus). Unfortunately I didn’t pursue that for long after getting a job & moving to the UK, where I lived a very unhealthy life in terms of the food I was having day in day out. Just before moving to NZ I had a bike accident and my left knee was badly injured. I still remember the morning when I got off from the bed with a feeling that I don’t have the left leg and landed on the ground. That was the day to turn things around and get fit again. At that time my training was just to lose the enormous amount of fat I had gained in UK (over 20 odd kilos in the first 5 months). That’s where it all started again before my trainer\coach\friend saw a potential bodybuilder in me.
What was the biggest challenge?
Reverse training my mind back into the fitness regime. I’m a great believer of self Belief – if you can believe you can achieve. It is a very big mind game – doesn’t matter what you do. As the saying goes “Faith can move mountains”
I’m a great believer of self Belief – if you can believe you can achieve.
What is your biggest accomplishment in fitness?
I don’t want to know how far my limits are or how far I will end up going. But just at looking back how far I have come is a pretty decent accomplishment, I believe. Putting in the context of bodybuilding I secured a 2nd place at the Nationals in my first year of competing putting some athlete who had a decade long experience at the time I started this journey back to get fit. But that’s more of a motivation rather accomplishment.
NABBA-WFF nationals in 2015. Photo by Defined Photography
Run us through a day on your plate
My diet is very typical bodybuilding style 6 or 7 high protein diet i.e. protein for every meal. And of course strategically used Complex Carbs & Healthy Fats. For me it is very important to be able to account for all the macro nutrients and therefore the calorie consumption on a daily basis. It is very important to understand that what I wear on the outside is a reflection of what I eat in the inside.
It is very important to understand that what I wear on the outside is a reflection of what I eat in the inside.
Do you have a motto or mantra you live by?
Spread the wings to fly in the sky to see how far you can go and keep the roots tied to the ground to know where you are from. “Stay humble”
What is your all time favourite food?
Anything with extra chilies in it – lol. But yes I do love spice food a lot and the best spices are grown back home. So the Indian cuisine wins for me any day. BTW chilies do help to get the metabolism up.
You're happiest when...
I see new muscles lol & food is ready when I’m hungry. It can become a big battle in a bodybuilders life to juggle a daily work life balance against the constant eating every 3-4 hours.
NABBA-WFF nationals in 2015. Photo by Defined Photography
What is the most important lesson you have learnt?
Your outlook defines your age. AGE itself is just a word.
What was the best decision you have ever made?
I have no regrets in life. All my decisions combined as a whole has got me where I’m today. All of them are best at their respective situations.
Best piece of advice you've been given?
There are many I want to quote here but one thing I was once told still forms the base of my life and that is “To reach your ultimate D (Destination) you need to learn how to control the other 3-D’s of your life; they being the Discipline, Diligence and Determination”
Favourite way to indulge?
I’m allowed to eat at my hearts will once a week (not that I don’t like to eat what I eat the rest of the week) and that can be some Kebabs or a Burger or a Pizza and may be finish up with some spicy curry. I’ve a great sweet tooth but unfortunately I’m not a great fan of western sweets \ desserts. But I do love traditional Indian sweets & Mediterranean Sweets e.g. Baklava.
What does happiness look like to you?
For me happiness can’t be materialistic. I guess everyone wants to be rich monetarily and don’t get me wrong I too want enough to survive & help others. But real happiness for me is something that money can’t buy. For example the family I’m blessed with, the people in my life who has influenced me thus far, the physique I’m trying to achieve etc.
But real happiness for me is something that money can’t buy
What advice would you give to people who are starting out on their active journey?
I can go on for ages to help move people but in short I just want to say that it is a great feat in itself for anyone making a start to go on a journey (regardless what kind of journey it is). The very first step is taken. All they will need now is to nourish the belief that they had when they had taken that very first step. Having that self belief will get them running even before they can get a chance to notice.
Bikram is married with two kids. He works as an Integration Domain Specialist and trains at Fitness Canterbury. Bikram does his own diet and menu plan but was supported throughout the process by his coach and second set of eyes, Shane Elsey. You can follow his instagram on @bikramghosh