HOW I KEEP FIT

I used to be a gymnast all through my teenage years. I8217;ve also had a personal trainer come home at the crack of dawn for the past ten years.

How often do you exercise?

I used to be a gymnast all through my teenage years. I8217;ve also had a personal trainer come home at the crack of dawn for the past ten years. I exercise six days a week.

What is your favoured form of exercise?

I do cardio. I run a lot, do breathing exercises and stretches. I8217;m also into isometrics8212;a technique where you use your own body weight to exercise your muscles. Since I8217;ve been into gymnastics, my body structure is different; the emphasis for me, then, is on toning up my body. But I do always carry two push-up bars that weigh about 200 gms each. I have them in my hotel room right now.

Do you practice any form of alternative physical training?

I like to go dancing whenever I get the chance. It not only keeps me energetic, it also peps me up mentally. I strongly believe that for your body to feel fantastic, it8217;s important to surround yourself with good vibes. Dancing does that for me.

What sort of a diet do you follow?

I8217;m a strict vegetarian and don8217;t drink a drop of alcohol. I8217;m more into protein diets. Because I used to get migraines when I was younger, my doctor told me to lay off milk and milk products, so I avoid those. But I have two glasses of hot water first thing in the morning, followed by a big bowl of fruit. Twice a week, I have eggs without the yolks. I actually eat four meals a day. And I always have soup, be it winter or summer. Cold soup when it8217;s hot and hot soup when it8217;s cold.

Do you get any cravings?

Besides my morning tea, which I have to have two cups of, I love chocolate. I call it my only sin. I think you get the same high from having chocolate that you get from sex.

Have you ever been on a diet?

No, but I anyway follow a controlled diet. Do you have a problem area, which needs more of a workout than the rest of your body? Like all gymnasts, I developed a back problem. So I have to be careful about not straining it8212;I need to do special stretches for that. What do you use as an instant booster? Red Bull! Believe it or not, I love the drink and have a small stash of it at my workplace. And chocolate, of course.

8212;AS TOLD TO AMETA BAL