Fans are praising Shah Rukh Khan for being in exceptional shape at 58, claiming he looks fitter than ever before.
The Bollywood icon has been showcasing his toned physique in his recent action films *Pathaan* and *Jawan*. Known as “King Khan,” he adheres to a unique fitness routine.
In an interview with the Guardian, Khan shared that he was an “athlete” when he entered the film industry in the early 90s and had always aspired to achieve a “six-pack.” He reminisced, “When I started in the industry, I was an athlete. My dream was to have a six-pack, wear a white vest, have a woman by my side, blood on my face, and a gun in my hand. I envisioned entering a room, being asked ‘Who are you?’ and then shooting them.”
Khan follows a strict regimen, eating only one meal a day and working out for just 30 minutes daily. “I go to bed at five in the morning. When Mark Wahlberg is getting up, I’m going to sleep. I wake up around nine or ten if I’m shooting. After coming home at 2 am, I bathe and then work out before going back to sleep,” he revealed in the same interview.
Examining Khan’s routine, let’s consider the effects of working out at 2 am, sleeping at 5 am, and waking up by 9-10 am.
Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a consultant neurologist at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, notes that Khan’s sleep schedule and duration are suboptimal. “Adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Getting less than five hours increases the risk of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome, heart attack, stroke, and some cancers,” he said.
Dr. Kumar also mentioned that insufficient sleep is associated with a “shorter lifespan.” He advised that sleep should ideally begin before 11 pm, and definitely before midnight, aligning with our natural circadian rhythm. “Going to bed after midnight raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases,” he added.
Regarding Khan’s practice of eating only one meal a day (OMAD) as part of intermittent fasting, Dr. Kumar acknowledged that while there are no randomized controlled trials, numerous studies suggest intermittent fasting can have various health benefits.
Although a 30-minute workout is considered effective, Dr. Kumar recommended shifting exercise to the evening rather than at 3 am. “Strenuous workouts close to bedtime can disrupt sleep,” he advised.
