OMH Spotlight: Cricketer Mandeep Kaur’s Holistic Fitness Mantra For Mental Balance And Physical Strength

Being an athlete is not a cake walk. Sportspersons have the constant pressure to perform. And to perform well, they always need to be in their best form – both physically and mentally. When it comes to cricket, the sport requires a person’s 100% when on field. Have you ever wondered how a cricketer maintains their health? What kind of diet and exercises do they follow? And, how do they mentally deal with the challenges that the sport poses as a career? Today, we will answer all these for you.

The editorial team of OnlyMyHealth reached out to Delhi-based cricketer Mandeep Kaur. She is a seasoned player in the Indian domestic circuit, who has represented multiple zones and states. Mandeep Kaur has established herself as a reliable name in women's cricket. After resigning as a player, she transitioned to careers like coaching and working as a Physical Education Teacher. The cricketer spills the beans on her journey as a cricketer, fitness journey and everything in between. Read ahead.

How Mandeep Kaur’s Journey As A Cricketer Began

Every story has a beginning. For cricketer Mandeep Kaur, the beginning of her cricket journey started from a very young age. “I have always been around sports. In my school days, I used to play basketball. But I was very interested in cricket as well. As soon as I reached home after school in the afternoon, I used to play cricket on the streets. So this is how my journey started with cricket,” recalls Kaur.

She adds, “Then I went to college and saw that there was a women's team. So I joined their cricket team, and I left basketball by then. Since then, I have followed cricket as a passion and I worked hard for it. Then I took it up as my profession. In 2016, I played for the India Red team. I think 2021 was my last season, after which I retired from cricket, and transitioned to coaching.”

Inside The Cricketer’s Fitness Routine

Fitness is a crucial part of every sportsperson’s life. So, we asked Kaur about how she keeps herself healthy. “Physical fitness is a non-negotiable part of my life as a cricketer. I follow a routine very strictly. I focus on strength training, cardio, and flexibility. Moreover, I focus on core strength. And I also like jogging. I even go for Zumba classes. I do yoga, as well as stretching,” shares Kaur.

Along with this, the cricketer revealed that she has always been physically active since she was a child. “Be it in the morning and the evening, I loved playing, and was always active,” she adds.

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‘Simple Diet And Good Sleep Is The Key’: Mandeep Kaur

Apart from physical fitness, one’s diet and sleep routine too plays a big role in one’s overall wellbeing. Kaur reveals her meal plans and how many hours she sleeps, to keep herself fit as an athlete. “Basically, I take a balanced and a simple diet. I include high quality protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fat, veggies and fruits in my diet. I avoid junk food. And I prefer home-cooked food,” shares Kaur.

She adds, “In diet, water is very important. I make sure that I am adequately hydrated. Also, proper rest is equally important. People don't get enough rest I feel. But as a sportsperson, rest is equally important for recovery.” Speaking about her sleep routine, Kaur shares that she sleeps for 7 hours, not more than that.

Do Periods Pose A Challenge For Women Cricketers?

Menstruation is that time of the month for women when their body needs extra rest and care. But how do women cricketers, who need to be active and perform on field all year round, deal with the challenges posed by periods? Kaur answers.

“Menstruation is challenging when it comes to training sessions and matches. As your body is tired, you feel fatigued, your energy is low on the ground. But if you ask me, personally, from my point of view, periods never affected my performance. I feel every individual's body is different,” she says.

‘Be Present’: Mandeep Kaur On Keeping Mind Strong

Sportspersons often feel more pressurised – be it to keep themselves in best form, or give their best on the field. Amid all this, their mental health challenges often spike. Kaur shares how she keeps her mind strong. “Whenever you are playing, people around us have expectations from you; you yourself too have expectations from yourself. From my point of view, I will say that I am a person who has always been focused on the present, I never think about the result, nor about the future, I just work on my present,” shares Kaur.

And what about dealing with pressure? “The word ‘pressure’ doesn't exist in my dictionary. According to me, pressure is an opportunity. One more thing I would like to add, when we talk about pressure, I had a conversation with MS Dhoni – he said that pressure helps you become a hero or a heroine. So, always be in the present and perform, despite the pressure,” she adds.

Tips To Stay Fit As A Sportsperson

On this note, Kaur shares some health tips for women – who are athletes – on how to be healthy and fit always:

• First of all, I would like to add that everyone should follow a routine. Having a routine is very important.
• Exercise regularly. People often complain that they are busy with work, but I think these are excuses.
• Take time out for yourself, and engage in exercises and yoga. If you like to dance, then dance. If you like Zumba, then do Zumba. Just be active.

Also Read: ‘I Never Go To The Gym’: Fitness Icon-actor Milind Soman Reveals His Health Secrets In An Exclusive Chat With OMH

Conclusion

Cricketer Mandeep Kaur is a seasoned player in the Indian domestic circuit, and has established herself as a reliable name in women's cricket. The cricketer shared how regular activity, exercises, simple balanced diet and a good sleep routine keeps her in form and physically fit. She also revealed how being present and focused helps her deal with the mental pressure of her demanding profession.