HOW I KEEP FIT

How important is fitness to you?

It is the most important thing for me. I take my health very seriously and try a combination of things to keep in shape, including hitting the gym and dancing. Initially, I used to dread the gym and avoided it. But now I enjoy it so much that I miss it if I don’t go there.

How often do you work out and for how long?

I work out four to five times a week for about an hour-and-a-half with my personal trainer Mike. Hrithik Roshan had brought him from Singapore and he knows his stuff. I do think that one needs a personal trainer who can push you and get the impetus going. Otherwise, one can get quite complacent.

Do you do any weight-training?

I do a lot of weights with cardio. There is a myth that it makes you bulky, but if done correctly, it’s ideal. Since, I do a lot of live shows, I need to build up my stamina and for that, strength-training is very important.

Do you recommend dancing to keep fit?

I think it’s the best way — it’s stimulating, entertaining and great for coordination. Dancing is a great workout. I’m trained in classical dance forms like Kathak and Bharatanatyam. Other than that, I would recommend dance aerobics and other such forms of exercise. Unfortunately, we do not have too much of that in India.

Do you have any dos and don’ts in food?

As far as food is concerned, I eat well and healthy. Breakfast is a very important meal for me. I try and control my craving for sweet stuff. I don’t binge and I always avoid greasy food. That’s a strict no-no for me. It’s a good thing that I’m not fond of it, so it comes easy to me. Since one can’t avoid eating out, I take care of certain things. When I’m eating out, I stick to healthy foods like salads, sandwiches, rice and curry etc.

Are there any celebrities whose physical fitness and figure you admire?

I like women to be curvy. I do not like skinny women. Which is why, I admire women like Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Penelope Cruz. In India, I really like Shilpa Shetty. She’s very fit, well-toned and has a great height as well.

—AS TOLD TO SUNAINA KUMAR