Kumail Nanjiani Workout and Diet
Comedian
Born: 1978
Kumail Nanjiani was born in Pakistan and moved to the US to attend college at age 18. He graduated from Grinnell in Iowa with a double major in philosophy and computer science. After college, Nanjiani co-hosted a video-game themed podcast and found small acting roles in comedy shows like Portlandia. In 2014, he played a role on Silicon Valley, but he is perhaps best known for writing and starring in the rom-com, The Big Stick, for which he received several award nominations including an Academy Award. Landing a role in the Marvel movie The Eternals, led to his hitting the gym go get in superhero shape. He is married to comedy producer and writer Emily Gordon. Nanjiani has millions of followers on social media and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2018. He is a ‘fake’ 5’ 10” — in other words, he’s 5 feet 8 inches tall. Nanjiani weighs about 170 lbs. and reduced his body fat from 20% to about 10%.
Known For:
Kumail Nanjiani’s Diet
Summary
Naturally more of a nerdy figure, Nanjiani came to the conclusion that he would be able to play a wider range of characters if he had a better physique, and so he set about getting in shape. With the help of a nutritionist, he put on 20 lbs. of muscle through a combination of a high-protein, low-carb diet and exercise. His weekday meals consisted of things like lean animal protein and veggies, but on the weekends he would cut loose with traditional Pakistani food which he loves, but says is super carb-y. It took a year, but it worked and Nanjiani is very proud of the results.
Estimated Macros
- Low Carbs 10%
- Medium Fat 35%
- High Protein 60%
Diet Details
Week Day Warrior
Nanjiani eats low-carb during the week and cuts loose on the weekends. But, there’s payback. Eating all those carbs makes him very sleepy.
Serious About Macros
Nanjiana’s meals were carefully calibrated, and every macro was counted, but he was fully committed to the plan. He said his nutritionist had to force him to take cheat days.
Traditional Cheat
On his cheat days, Nanjiani goes for yummy, carb-y, old-country food: naan bread, rice, and biryani.
What to Eat
Meats
Poultry
Fish
Olive oil
Leafy greens
Low-carb veggies
What to Avoid
Junk food
Processed food
Artificial additives
Carb-y foods
Refined Sugar
Chemical ingredients
Nanjiani on his Low-carb Diet
‘Basically, it’s 5 days of low-carb, then over the weekend you can eat as much as you want.’
Nanjiani on his evolving diet
‘I’m trying to figure out the food thing right now because I wasn’t eating enough.’
Nanjiani on vanity
‘I’m still kind of afraid of gaining the wrong kind of weight, because I’m very vain.’
Nanjiani on Pakistani food
‘Pakistani food is delicious, but it’s a lot of carbs…Afterward, my wife will say, “Let’s take a quick nap.” We wake up 5 hours later.’
Nanjiani on street food
‘I love, love, love street-cart food. Gyros are like a meat-flavored fruit roll-up.’
Kumail Nanjiani’s Workout Routine
Weekly Routine
Train Like A Nerd
That is to say, go about it scientifically. Nanjiani trains at Granite Gym in Beverly Hills with former Mr. Canada, Grant Roberts. The place is known for being ‘paparazzi-proof.’
Get Lit
Nanjiani uses electrical stimulation (e-stim) as part of his routine to fire up certain muscles and speed up results.
Upper Body Focus
Nanjiani does a bunch of exercises that target the shoulders, chest and arms, but the only equipment he needs is dumbbells and a bench.
There’s No ‘I’ In ‘Team’
Nanjiani is the first to admit he couldn’t have done it alone, and credits his team of professionals for helping him achieve his goals.
Commit to the Sweat
To get ripped, Nanjiani works out 5 days a week, each session lasting about an hour. Nanjiani is totally committed to the program, doesn’t complain, and asks lots of questions because he wants to understand it all and get it right.
Classic Split
Nanjiani does a typical split routine, focusing on one body part at a time, such as legs one day and chest the next.
Work to Exhaustion
For maximum gains, Nanjiani’s trainer makes a point to tweak the reps to work the muscles in different ways.
Exercise Style
A Kumail Nanjiani Upper Body Routine
Do the following exercises as a tri-set, using the same dumbbells. Do 5-8 reps x 3 sets, taking 60 seconds’ rest between sets.
Front raises
Lateral raises
Rear delt raises
Then do this:
W press: sit on a bench, dumbbells at shoulders. Press dumbbells up and out, stopping when arms are almost straight, then return to starting position. Do 12-15 reps x 3 sets.
Nanjiani on his Physique
‘I realize what’s holding me back from those roles is how I look, so I’m changing that.’
Nanjiani on Exercise
‘When I’m exercising, I’m not thinking about anything else. It’s like meditation.’
Nanjiani on Working Hard
‘Effort isn’t funny. Several of my friends have said, “There’s nothing funny about a guy who works out all the time.”’
Nanjiani on being Ripped
‘If I can be a big, buff person with the same outlook I have now, that would be pretty cool. There aren’t many people around like that.’
Kumail Nanjiani’s Supplements
Multivitamin
Nanjiani has appeared on Disgustingly Healthy and communicated his (low) opinion of various health foods, but jokes aside, he doesn’t have much to say about the supplements he might take. While he benefited from working with a nutritionist, if you’re starting a new diet, a multivitamin is never a bad idea to cover your nutritional bases.
Glutamine and BCAAs
Glutamine and BCAAs both help build muscle and reduce muscle wasting and improve recovery time.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are important for fat-burning, and also to reduce inflammation from hard workouts.
protein powder
To build muscle and burn fat, protein powder is a good choice.
Creatine and testosterone
Creatine and testosterone also popular with athletes looking to increase muscle mass.
vitamins A, C, and E
Antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E neutralize free radicals that get produced during intensive workouts (and from the environment etc.).
Kumail Nanjiani’s Lifestyle
Sync Up
To stay connected, Nanjiani and his wife say they made a pact to always go to bed at the same time, even if their schedules are totally opposite.
The Signature Move
Nanjiani met his future wife Emily Gordon when she heckled him at a stand-up comedy routine. After the set, Nanjiani introduced himself. Then, to impress her, wrote her name in Urdu.
Idol Worship
Two of Nanjiani’s comedic idols are Bill Murray and Hugh Grant. He also hosted a podcast reminiscing about The X-Files, and wishes he could be best friends with the character Fox Mulder.
It (Sort of) Runs In the Family
Nanjiani is from a family of doctors, and they all expected him to become one, including Nanjiani himself. He has a second cousin named Shereen Nanjiani who is a radio presenter in Scotland.
Nanjiani on his Beard
‘I grew a beard because I needed a crutch to start working out intensely. But it’s going well, so I’m going to shave it.’
Nanjiani on his idol, Bill Murray
‘He’s the opposite of effort. He’s really not trying at all.’
Nanjiani on Being a Homebody
‘I stay home. It’s the best place to be alone. There is hardly any walk-through traffic.’
Nanjiani on his Brand of Comedy
‘I try to make my comedy really personal. I try to tell stories that happened to me, experiences from my life.’
Recommended Products
The Big Sick
Stuber
Kumail Nanjiani: Beta Male
Poop Talk
Silicon Valley
References
https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a28263240/kumail-nanjiani-workout/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3529685/
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/relationship-different-sleep-habits_l_5dadb5b0e4b0f34e3a796bcf
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/06/kumail-nanjiani-silicon-valley-the-big-sick-star
https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a27393368/kumail-nanjiani-disgustingly-healthy/
