My fitness mantra is to “think simple, eat simple and live simple”. In keeping with the philosophy, I have a very modest lifestyle. Strangely, I never ever feel the urge to go to a gym or follow a rigorous fitness regimen. In fact, the very thought of gymming with machines and weights puts me off. Besides, I don’t enjoy doing anything that leads to fatigue. But mind you, despite the resistance, I have been healthy and fit all through my life. This is because I dance regularly.

As a child I was heavily into sports. I loved playing badminton in school. Along with my passion for sports, I enjoyed dancing. I started dancing at the age of seven. Over the years, it has become such a habit that today I can’t do without dancing. Usually, I dance daily for three to four hours and also whenever I get a chance in between my shooting schedules. I dance not only because it’s my first love or it’s an asset as far as my profession is concerned, but primarily because it leaves me contented.

There’s something about dancing that liberates me deep within. I do sweat a bit while dancing but I don’t feel tired. Instead, it rejuvenates me. Though my profession is a demanding one and it doesn’t allow me to follow a pre-determined schedule, I do try my best to follow a few thumb rules in life. I feel it is extremely important to sleep well at least for about seven hours or more.

I ensure that I take enough fruits and fluids. I stick to home cooked food as far possible. I never say no to good food and never overeat. I bathe twice a day. I never complicate matters or follow a boring way of living and I try my best to be positive.

Fresh and juicy

I usually get up early in the morning. After getting up, the first thing that I do is drink a glass of fresh limewater. A little later, I do yoga for about 20 minutes. The yogic postures are pretty simple, and anyone can do them.

Once I have practised the asanas, I freshen up and have my breakfast, which is simple, consisting of one or two fruits and a glassful of fruit juice. Usually, when I am not shooting outdoors, I try to come back home for lunch or carry my lunch with me. But on outdoor shoots, I have little option but to depend on restaurant food. However, I try my best to avoid spicy and oily food.

In between lunch and supper, I usually take fruits or fruit juices. I love to come back home early in the evening whenever my schedule permits me to do so and take a refreshing cologne bath. I usually take my supper as early as possible.

I am generally not fussy about food and prefer normal home-cooked food like rice, dal, fish or chicken. Occasionally, I don’t mind gorging on some delicious mutton curry. I love fish. My favourite is prawn — both sweet and brackish water prawn — as well as all kinds of sea fish, including salmon. However, I must confess that I do love phuchkas and can’t do without a few sips of soft drinks.

Take it easy

The actress doesn’t believe in following a rigid diet chart:nThere are a whole lot of options and if fitness is a priority, you must choose between yoga and dance. Or, may be do both. Unlike dancing, you can start doing yoga at any age. If neither yoga or dance suits you, you may go for brisk walks, swim or do something else that suits you better. Also, it is important to be in a positive frame of mind. If you are unhappy, you can never be fit. Fitness is not just about muscles. It has more to do with the positive energy that you exude.

In order to be fit, you need not be desperate. Rather, stay relaxed. All you need to do is to sweat it out a little every day and eat what you love. But remember, you shouldn’t overeat. Overeating can cause serious harm and even if you take good food, the consequences can be pretty bad. Don’t fast as it never pays in the long run.