Meet Neha Dhupia, the fitness freak. One of Bollywood's hottest pinup girls, she's known for her straight talk, daring roles, striking features and smokin' hot bod.
"I really got into keeping fit during my Miss India days," says Neha. "People think that just because you're an actress, you have to watch your weight and stay slim. While this is true to some extent, fitness is more about health than looking good. Whether you're an actress or someone who works in a bank, fitness should be one of your priorities. Saying that you're too busy, that there's no time left for a workout is just an excuse -- one must make time."
Neha's tips to keep in shape and an insight into her firtness regime:
I'm not into any diet as such. I eat a bit of everything that the body requires, but the key is not to indulge. People have a tendency to over-indulge in things they like. Watch what you eat and don't binge! It's not necessary to fill your stomach to its full capacity at every meal -- upto about 80 percent should suffice and you should avoid over-eating at all costs.
Drink plenty of water. Water is good for the body in general and it's excellent for your skin -- it will keep your complexion clear.
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My fitness routine consists of a combination of yoga and cardio -- I find it works best for me. I do yoga for about an hour every single day and about 30 minutes to an hour of cardio every other day. Everything depends on the amount of time I have in hand, of course, but I never miss yoga. Also, on outdoor shoots, I always carry a good pair of shoes -- I do some running if I can.
I think one should be sensible about one's fitness routine. You should listen to your body -- what works for me may not work for someone else. Your body tells you exactly what it needs. There are days when you wake up and your body will tell you not to push it today, to just take it easy. And then there'll be days when you know you've put on a few extra pounds and need to put in an extra effort.
Stop making excuses. People need to stop making lame excuses about time and work etc. No matter what age you are or what profession you're in, working out is a must. Looking and keeping fit is important.
Find the right kind of motivation. These days my motivation and inspiration is my mother. She has inspired me to really push myself and get into shape. At the age of 53, she has shed 13 kilos in just a few months. When I saw her improvement, I asked myself, "If she can do it, why can't I?"
The whole size zero issue is blown out of proportion, it's all based on media hype. Every woman wants to be slim but not every woman can reach size zero. Whichever diet you go on or fitness routine you follow, always keep your health in check.
Keep a mantra in mind -- remember the saying 'No pain, no gain'? Well, when it comes to fitness and your weight, it's 'No pain, no loss'!
Text: Ameeta Gupta | Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar
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