Forget walks. Alia Bhatt’s nutritionist recommends two simple exercises to gain healthy weight

For many people trying to gain weight, walking or cardio workouts might seem like the go-to fitness routine. But according to celebrity nutritionist Suman Agarwal, who also helped Alia Bhatt during pregnancy, shared the approach could actually slow down your progress. During a podcast with Ranveer Allahbadia on The Ranveer Show, the expert shared a simple but surprising insight: if your goal is to gain healthy weight, skip the long walks and focus on two specific forms of exercise instead.

Simple exercises to gain healthy weight

During her conversation, Suman explained that those trying to increase their weight should avoid overdoing cardio. “If someone wants to gain healthy weight, don’t go for walks,” she said. “If you really want to, keep it to just 15–20 minutes. Instead, do swimming, strength training, and pilates.” Her point was clear: activities like swimming and pilates not only build muscle but also enhance flexibility and tone, helping the body gain strength without adding unhealthy fat. Strength training, she said, is essential because it helps convert the extra calories into muscle rather than storing them as fat.



This advice struck a chord with many who often struggle with being underweight or “skinny fat,” where the body appears lean but lacks strength. Suman’s holistic approach focuses on creating balance, gaining weight the right way, through muscle and nourishment, rather than just increasing calorie intake.

Who is Suman Agarwal?

Suman Agarwal is among India’s most respected Oxford-certified nutritionists and dieticians, with a client list that includes celebrities like Alia Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Ananya Panday, and Armaan Malik, along with several top industrial families such as the Birlas and Ambanis. She is the founder of Selfcare, a wellness brand that started as a one-woman passion project and has now grown into a thriving enterprise with branches across India and a team of 62 members, including 15 qualified nutritionists.


A certified nutritionist from Oxford University and a trained fitness expert from NIA, Suman began her journey as a homemaker and mother. Her curiosity about nutrition and fitness turned into a full-fledged career when she realised how scientific and mindful eating could transform health. Over the years, she has built a reputation for her scientific yet personalised approach, crafting diet and fitness plans tailored to each person’s body type, routine, and lifestyle.

Through her words and work, Suman continues to inspire many — reminding us that true fitness is not about extremes, but balance. Whether it’s skipping those long walks or picking up weights instead, her advice encourages a healthier, more mindful way to achieve your body goals.