Mrs India International relives her journey from a wife to winning the crown

Reet Sahu
Reet Sahu

Marriage is an important phase of life many women believe that the time to achieve post marriage is lesser! But for many girls things can certainly change after marriage and it is not seen as an obstacle in fulfilling ambitions as Mrs Reet Sahu, the 1st runner up of Mrs India International believes. In a candid chat with AAW the beautiful woman discusses life post-marriage, career and much more…

How did the journey to Mrs. India International begin?

Since my college days, when I was pursuing a degree in Fashion in Retail Management, I had an exposure to fashion events. Thus I had an inclination to take up a career related to fashion and always wished to take part in a contest which would give my dream, a direction. Post marriage, I was encouraged by my family to be a part of some platform in order to pursue my dream; hence I participated in Gladrags Mrs. India contest and was among the top Six finalists.

Later ,I came across this amazing platform for married women called Mrs. India International held annually at Atlanta-Georgia, USA, applied, got selected and won, which gave a new dimension to my life.

How important is family support to pursue a career in modelling?

Family support means the world to any individual in any endeavour and modelling is no exception. Since it is a career which expects you to be outgoing and very social, family support becomes all the more important. Without family support and understanding it wouldn’t have been possible for me to come so far. My family is my pillar of strength and their belief in me motivates me to excel and achieve.

Tell something about your life post marriage?

I don’t think anything has changed. If you are in love and you are happy, then that’s all that matters. Mine was a love marriage with a perfect blend of understanding and clarity in thoughts. But I do realize that after marriage lots of responsibilities come on your shoulder and you learn to deal with them every day.

What all difficulties did you face in your profession post marriage?

Thankfully there were no difficulties for me as my family has been extremely supportive in all my endeavours. I did faced challenges in balancing my domestic and professional lives but was able to do so nicely with my husband’s support.

You feel a lot for girl child cause, so what’s your contribution towards the same?

I passionately feel education is the only way to truly empower a girl child to become a strong independent woman later in life. Educating a girl is enabling her to choose a life for herself. Mrs. India International has given me a larger platform and a wider audience to voice my cause and concerns. I keep on visiting several NGO’s, providing teaching aids, re-emphasizing on the importance of education.

 I also conduct summer camps at my place where I personally interact with children and impart them with basic computer and internet skills.

A lot of girls including celebs gain weight post marriage, how did you manage to maintain yourself?

A passion to feel well from inside comes with a healthy body and a healthy mind. For me fitness and health consciousness is something like a true enchanter.

I keep my fitness mantra simple and follow a disciplined approach towards life. First and foremost it is not about dieting but about your diet.

Share your fitness regimen?

To start with, in the morning, I drink at least a litre of water. Later, I have two mugs of green tea with lemon and honey which aids in cleansing the kidneys and stomach.  I spread out my meal intakes into six small portions and make sure I eat something every three hours from all food groups and include lots of colour in my diet.

I imbibe variations in my exercise regimen to break the monotony which sets in. So one month if it is pure cardio exercises and weights training, the next month it is Zumba with Aerobics.

How do you balance your work and married life?

Planning well in advance sets you free from unnecessary stress. So be it a simple daily chore or a photo shoot, a well planned day balances your life. Moreover, it is all about the perspective, so setting your priorities in order certainly helps.reet sahu 2

Any fitness tips for married women?

Being healthy shouldn’t be a fad as the idea is to “build a temple out of your body” and it obviously takes time. Fitness is 70-80 per cent diet and the rest is exercise. The belief that thin is beautiful is not true. It’s your confidence and the way you feel about yourself that counts.

Exercise and diet are like the two sides of the same coin. If you want to be healthy and have a toned body, then you must eat right and exercise at least thrice a week. You need to take a close look at your habits and evaluate them to see if you’re making the healthiest and wisest choices. Nothing is taboo as long as you eat in moderation.

Any suggestions for women who want to pursue modelling post marriage?

Share your dreams with your family and seek their support. Have a positive frame of mind, belief in yourself, workout regularly and keep abreast of the trends. Dedication, discipline and determination are the key to succeed.