Kareena Kapoor Khan shares how she shed 32 kg weight: 'Never starved myself'

Not for nothing did Geet Dhillon say proudly, “Main aapni favourite hoon!” (I am my favourite). Kareena Kapoor Khan recently gave a lovely message on self-love. At the launch event of celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar’s latest book, the '3 Idiots' actress spoke candidly about her perspective on food and her relationship with it.

She revealed that she has always maintained a relaxed approach to eating and never hesitated to indulge in a bag of chips without guilt. Sharing a personal experience, she disclosed that after the birth of her younger son, Jeh, she gained around 45 kilograms. Although there was a fleeting moment when societal expectations made her feel pressured to regain her pre-pregnancy physique, she quickly dismissed the thought and reassured herself that she still looked "fab".

Reflecting on a memorable line from her widely acclaimed film Jab We Met, Kareena referenced a dialogue that has resonated with many: " Main apni favourite hoon", which translates to "I am my own favorite."

She expressed that this sentiment is a philosophy she has genuinely lived by throughout her life. She emphasized that every woman should adopt a similar mindset, as self-confidence plays a crucial role in shaping one’s well-being.

Kareena's Fitness Philosophy

Kareena stressed the importance of consistently affirming one's own worth and abilities, reiterating that when a person repeatedly tells themselves positive things, it gradually solidifies their belief. Over time, this conviction not only strengthens within but also influences how others perceive them. However, she clarified that external validation is not the goal; rather, it is about having an unshakable sense of self-assurance. Kareena noted that she has always upheld this principle, prioritizing her own self-belief over external opinions.

Rujuta, who has worked closely with Kareena for years, promptly chimed in, praising the actress for her unwavering confidence. She described Kareena as one of the most self-assured individuals she has ever worked with. The nutritionist shared an anecdote, revealing that Kareena frequently expresses admiration for her own appearance. According to Rujuta, Kareena often tells her things like, "You won’t believe how incredible I look!" or "I feel so slim and fit!" Rujuta remarked that she finds this self-appreciation endearing and inspiring, as it reflects a deep sense of self-love.

The conversation at the book launch highlighted Kareena’s empowering outlook on body image and self-acceptance. She advocated for embracing oneself at every stage of life, reinforcing the idea that confidence and inner belief are key to feeling beautiful, regardless of societal standards. Throughout her career, Kareena has exemplified this philosophy, proving that loving oneself unapologetically can be a source of immense strength.

By sharing her personal experiences, the actress encouraged others to celebrate their individuality and prioritize their happiness over unrealistic expectations. Her message was clear—true confidence comes from within, and when cultivated properly, it can be an unbreakable force that positively impacts every aspect of life.

Rujuta’s appreciation for Kareena’s self-assured nature further reinforced this idea, illustrating how valuing oneself can lead to a fulfilling and joyful existence. The event concluded on an uplifting note, with Kareena standing as a testament to the power of self-love and unwavering belief in oneself.

Kareena said that she had always been a foodie. “I was always a chubby kid. But I was always happy. My relationship with food has been amazing, so I think that has really helped. It’s not like I have ever tried to starve to look thin; I am very comfortable in my own skin. In my teenage years, I was also always really happy to pick up a chip packet and eat. I was a confident girl.”

Kareena On Her Weight Loss Journey

In 2018, Kapoor revealed that she had always taken a holistic approach to her health. She said that she had come to terms with the fact that a woman’s body undergoes changes exponentially through various stages in her life.

“I was bearing a child. It was obvious that I would put on weight. But I wasn't [rattled]. I enjoyed my pregnancy. I loved it. Losing the weight after that was another journey. I remember, sometimes, I'd wear tight pants, and people would tell me, 'You've put on so much weight. You're thighs are so big.' And I was like, 'I don't care because I'm working on losing it.' Honestly, I'm comfortable in any shape and size,” she told during a press conference.

In the same interview, Khan credited her dietician, Rujuta Diwekar, for her slim, toned body in the 2008 movie ‘Tashan’. There were several reports of her skipping food and surviving on oranges. Kapoor dismissed the rumours and said that she ‘blindly’ followed Diwekar’s diet plan.

She stated that Diwekar was strongly against starvation and told her to not skip meals but watch portions.

"I'd love to make this fact clear: I lost weight the right way. I'm a Kapoor with a Punjabi build. I can't live starving myself, without wholesome food and would not have been able to conceive had I not eaten the way I did. Rujuta always had things sorted out for me, balancing the right amount of fat in my diet. I trusted her blindly, even when I was told to consume parathas with ghee," says Kapoor, adding that even today, the nutritionist is only a call away to solve her woes. "Sometimes, I call her and tell her if I feel acidic after a string of late-night commitments or when travelling. Instead of prescribing medication, she'll recommend I have a glass of chilled milk with gulkand in it. On other occasions, she'll ask me to have water with kesar to flush out toxins. Her methods work well for me,” she said.

Kareena lost 20 kilos for 'Tashan' and shed 32 kgs after the birth of her first son Taimur.

Kareena Shares Her Workout Plan

In the same media interaction, Kapoor shared her love for Pilates. "We started our journey with me executing a mere eight repetitions in each exercise because I had a weak back post-delivery. Today, Namrata and I trained together and executed a high-intensity class that involved 20–30 reps, one after another,” she said.

She also stated that she does not spend more than 55 minutes at the gym.

What’s On Kareena’s Plate?

Back in 2018, Kareena revealed what she ate every day. “Meals are as basic as doodhi sabzi, karela subzi, one roti, and a bowl of rice. Dinner can be different versions of soups."

Recently, she revealed she often indulges in khichdi or lentil rice.

On the work front, Kapoor had a busy year in 2024. She was seen in two movies, ‘Crew’ and ‘Singham,’ again.