If Aamir Khan's eight pack or Kareena Kapoor's size zero figure is what you feel is synonymous with health, think again. Ulhas Shirke, a fitness consultant, not only thinks beyond the physical aspect but also brings it out for all through his book Fitness and Beyond that was released recently in the city.

Shirke, 56, is practising independently and has worked in different areas such as of health such as sports, aerobics, ayurveda and nutrition. After The Ultimate Guide to Ayurveda, which he wrote based on the research of Dr Barkha Peswani, this is his other contribution to the world of health and fitness.

Shirke, through his book, offers unique guidelines on how to stay fit by weaving together the holistic aspects that are relevant.

Stressing on the role of mind, he says that God and spirituality help a person to remain calm and composed, which ultimately results in attaining wellness. "Though the mind is not part of the body, it plays an important role in the functioning of the body," emphasised Shirke. According to him just exercise and quality food intake is not fitness, but it goes beyond it, such as interpersonal relationship, our ability to cope up with stress, our moods, our lifestyle and our overall happiness.

"I always wanted to elaborate on the factors responsible for overall wellness rather than emphasising merely on physical fitness. Looking at the present day lifestyle, I focused on rising obesity among children, the problems of teenagers, working women, time management for busy executives and health issues senior citizens." said Shirke.

After extensive research since 1997, on his favourite subject of health and fitness, Shirke decided to write this book in 2005, which finally got published in 2008.

Having been born, bought-up and educated in Mumbai, somehow, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, Pune, always attracted him from his young days. Having migrated to Pune recently, the only difference he finds is that now he cannot enjoy his bicycle ride as he used to 30 years ago. "The Pune festival, the film festival and many other sports events has made Puneites feel proud, and of course the culture that has been preserved for generation. It is a lively city, which made me migrate to this place," said Shirke.

About his future plans he said that the present book is actually to create awareness and to motivate people to make a beginning.

The book
The book, Fitness and Beyond is a perfect guide to beginners. The goal of this book is to give good understanding for its readers of a higher level of fitness by adopting a simple approach that a reader can identify with.