HOW I KEEP FIT

What8217;s your diet like?

I live in Italy and over here, the food is very healthy as most of it is cooked in olive oil. I eat like a horse and also drink a lot of wine, which I should stop. I have loads of water as well. I start my day with a litre of water, followed by a cup of coffee and a croissant. Lunch at 12.30 is salad and pasta8212;I eat till I feel full. Then, till about 5 pm, I eat nothing so that my stomach gets time to digest the food. At 5 pm, I amhungry again. So I make myself a cup of ginger tea and have it with a couple of biscuits. At about 8 or 8.30, we eat dinner, which is either fish or meat. We have Indian food but avoid rice or pasta for dinner.

What8217;s the importance of sleep in your regime?

Sleep is the greatest nourishment and it repairs you internally as your brain gets rest. I think it is important to get up early. I sleep for about nine to ten hours. I am in bed by 10.30 pmand up by 7 in the morning.

How do you stay fit?

I was always athletic and very active. I walk a lot and I am a good skier. My husband8217;s family is very sporty and I go with them to Switzerland.

My father in-law took it upon himself to teach me skiing and I8217;m good at it now. I never practiced yoga but I do this breathing exercise called anapaan, which is very good for stress. I have also done vipaasana. I get stressed very easily, so I practice this breathing exercise whereby you just watch yourself inhale and exhale8212;this teaches you to be focused and relax. When I get worried, I do it and start feeling better in a few minutes.

8212;AS TOLD TO LATA KHUBCHANDANI