Health ka Superhit Formula

SURPRISES never cease! You’d think that a good-looking, taut and toned hunk like Milind Soman would be obsessed with pumping iron and munching sprouts—but none of that for him. For our supermodel-turned-actor, health and fitness lie in the balance of the mind and body. This 38-year-old’s new film Rules-Pyaar ka Superhit Formula has just been released, and I actually saw the effect this six-feet hero had on the girls.

Sure! His large, size-eleven, grey Nike shoes lie in the back of his silver Fiat Siena because Milind doesn’t know when he might find that one hour to go for a jog. He may decide to jog from the film studio to his home in Dadar or do free hand exercises anywhere. But Milind is not fixated on fitness.

Here’s to all the busy doctors who find time to answer our queries HAIR HORRORS Surender Kumar, 42, found his hair loss had increased after he used two well-known, international hair colours. What should he do to reduce this. Also, what are the side-effects of hair colours and henna? The newer brands of hair colours usually do not cause a problem. However, hair loss can occur as a result of an allergy to any of the constituents of the hair dye, especially PPD (Paraphenylene diamine). A patch test (colouring only a small portion of the hair) can be done to find out if an allergy is present. If redness, irritation and a burning sensation occurs in that area, don’t use the dye. Frequent use of colour can also dry the hair resulting in brittleness. Ideally, hair should be coloured once in 8-10 weeks. A gentle shampoo and conditioner for coloured hair should be used. Hair can be oiled once a week, one or two hours before being washed. Story continues below this ad Hair colour or henna can be selectively used on grey strands. It is also important to rule out any other cause of hair fall such as excessive dandruff, nutritional deficiencies, medication, vigorous handling of hair and frequent blow-drying. Dr Malvika Kohli dermatologist and consultant, Jaslok Hospital Do keep calling and writing. And do keep smiling. For all your health queries, call 022-22161313 or log onto http://www.rashmiudaysingh.com Write to P.O. Box No 19946, Colaba, Mumbai-5 or e-mail hol@rashmiudaysingh.com

‘‘When I was 14 and training at my swimming camp, my coach told me something which has shaped my life. Remember that everything is a matter of choice, he told me, you can do whatever you want to,’’ Milind explains. He did just that and went on to become the national swimming champion from 1984 to 1988. He got his break in modelling after that. Right through, he has been making his own rules for physical and mental fitness. Which are:

Know when and how much to eat, sleep, exercise and relax.

Eat only when hungry. Have carrot juice in the morning, at least one home cooked meal a day (his mother makes superb Maharashtrian food) and lots of fruits.

Drink a lot of water.

Deal with stress by analysing the situation. If there is a problem, it’s bound to have a solution.

Free arm exercises can be done anywhere.

An hour’s run a day recharges and rejuvenates.

Have very little alcohol.

Smoking is insidious. Milind smoked more than 40 cigarettes a day without buying a single one himself. ‘‘That’s how accessible it is,’’ he points out. Three months ago he gave up the habit. His advice: Just give it up completely. Go cold turkey.

Be optimistic, exploratory and enjoy nature.

The final surprise came when this macho hunk told me that he never uses an aftershave. Instead, he uses Dettol after a shave. Also he prefers sandalwood oil and ‘‘Mitti’’, a fragrance from Rajasthan, which is redolent of rain on wet ground. Talk of heroes being down-to-earth!