Keerthy Suresh on fitness: Strength training is non-negotiable now
Synopsis
Keerthy Suresh has broken her silence on a months-long absence, revealing a recent physical and mental setback while tracing a fitness evolution that began with a post-Mahanati HIIT experiment in 2018 and now centres on strength training, yoga, and animal flow. Her candid take on body-shaming double standards adds a sharp cultural edge to an otherwise personal post.
Key Takeaways
Keerthy Suresh shared a detailed fitness post on Instagram on 16 May 2025 .
She lost 10 kg in nine months through HIIT and a high-protein, low-carb diet after Mahanati (2018) .
In 2020 , she turned to yoga, which she credits with giving her balance and confidence.
Strength training now anchors her routine, combined with yoga, animal flow, cardio, and calisthenics.
She disclosed a recent physical and mental setback that kept her out of the public eye for several months.
She called out the double standard of public opinions on women's body weight.
Actress Keerthy Suresh has opened up about her evolving fitness journey, revealing how she came to understand the importance of strength training after years of trial, error, and public scrutiny. The actress shared her reflections in a detailed post on her Instagram page on Saturday, 16 May.
From Clueless Beginner to Committed Athlete
Keerthy traced her fitness story back to 2013, the year she entered the film industry. 'Back in 2013 when I started as an actor, I was a clueless kid. Like a lot of people, I thought the gym just wasn't for me. I ignored the basics my body actually needed,' she wrote. It was only after the critical and commercial success of Mahanati in 2018 that she decided to take her health seriously, using a break in her schedule to experiment with fitness.
HIIT, Weight Loss, and Unwanted Opinions
Keerthy disclosed that she initially turned to HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and cardio, paired with a high-protein, low-carb diet. The results were significant — she lost 10 kg in nine months. However, the achievement came with unsolicited criticism. 'I felt proud until people called me 'weak' and said I'd had 'surgeries.' I've always kept things natural, even with my face, so hearing that stung a wee bit because all my hard work was put under a knife and ouch!' she admitted.
Yoga, Animal Flow, and Finding Balance
In 2020, Keerthy shifted to yoga, which she credits as a turning point. 'That changed everything. It gave me balance, confidence, and a way to care for myself that actually felt right,' she wrote. Over time, however, she recognised that resistance training had value she had previously dismissed. Strength training now anchors her routine, which she balances with yoga, animal flow, cardio, and calisthenics. 'This is honestly the best I've felt,' she said.
Body Image and the Double Standard
Keerthy also addressed the contradictory expectations women in public life often face regarding their appearance. 'When you are plumpy, they want you to be fit and when you are thin they just want you plumpy. I wonder how the world works sometimes,' she wrote. The observation reflects a broader conversation around body image and the scrutiny female celebrities routinely endure.
A Recent Setback and a Resolve to Continue
Concluding her post on a candid note, Keerthy acknowledged having faced a physical and mental setback in recent months, which she said kept her away from public view. 'I've had a physical and mental setback recently. I have been MIA for the last few months, but this journey reminds me: if at some point I have to break, pause, or stop, I will; but I'll never give up! Bring it on,' she wrote. The actress's openness about vulnerability alongside resilience has drawn wide appreciation from fans and fitness communities alike.
Point of View
Rather than acknowledgement of discipline, underscores how little room public discourse allows women to own their own bodies. Her disclosure of a recent setback, tucked at the end, is the part mainstream coverage will underplay — but it is the most human and therefore most resonant element of the post.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Keerthy Suresh reveal about her fitness journey?
Keerthy Suresh revealed that she began her fitness journey in earnest after Mahanati in 2018, initially losing 10 kg through HIIT and a high-protein diet. She later added yoga in 2020 and now considers strength training the cornerstone of her routine.
How much weight did Keerthy Suresh lose and how?
Keerthy Suresh lost 10 kg over nine months using HIIT and cardio combined with a high-protein, low-carb diet. She has clarified that her transformation was entirely natural, without any surgical intervention.
Why was Keerthy Suresh absent from public view recently?
Keerthy Suresh disclosed in her Instagram post that she experienced a physical and mental setback in recent months that kept her away from public life. She did not specify the nature of the setback but said the experience reinforced her commitment to her fitness journey.
What does Keerthy Suresh's current fitness routine include?
Her current routine centres on strength training, which she balances with yoga, animal flow, cardio, and calisthenics. She describes this combination as the best she has felt physically.
What did Keerthy Suresh say about body-shaming?
Keerthy addressed the contradictory public expectations around women's bodies, writing: 'When you are plumpy, they want you to be fit and when you are thin they just want you plumpy.' She noted that people continue to comment that they preferred her appearance when she was heavier.
