I don't count calories: Yasmin Karachiwala

She may be known as the expert behind some of the best bodies in the film industry, but there's much more to Yasmin Karachiwala. With over 20 years of experience in fitness, the once "lazy child" has come a long way. One of the first to introduce Pilates in India, Yasmin has very clear cut concepts about eating and exercising right. She is not fascinated by the celebrity fitness trainer tag that she has acquired over the years and says she still has much to learn. From Kareena Kapoor to Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt a host of celebrities swear by her fitness routines. In a tete a tete, she reveals some of her no-nonsense tips on getting fit.

How did you begin your journey into fitness?
When I first started people were of the mindset of Jane Fonda, and doing her workouts at home. In 1992 after I came back from the US after doing my aerobic certification, I started step classes. I discovered weight training in 2004 and realised what an impact weight training with cardio had on your body. It completely changed the way you look. At that time, the mindset was women can't lift weights because they will start looking like men. And when I started doing it, everyone told me how I'd become muscular. I had a great mentor and teacher sensei Pervez Mistry, he taught me everything I know about fitness. Having met him, I learnt a lot about fitness, about how the body works, what kind of weight training you do with men, what kind with women - Everything. I then went on to become a personal trainer and started a little studio in my house. It was a new concept but very well accepted. Within a few months, I needed to expand. In 2007, I discovered pilates. Everyone who came to me was doing a combo of cardio and weight training but the Indian body really struggles with their stomach pre and post pregnancy. Even young girls are thin all over but have a stomach. I realised you could do a 1000 crunches but that will just strengthen your abs, not really get rid of the fat. Basic gym exercises don't reach the deepest level of your ab muscles. That's when I found pilates.

Every few months a new diet becomes popular. What diets do you believe in?
I don't like the word diet because I find it restrictive. I like to use smart eating, that's my mantra. Whether you're trying to lose weight or not we know that fried doesn't work. Also, sugar is the worst thing you can have, it's literally poison. I make food plans for my clients and not diets, because it's a lifestyle plan. I like to change people's eating habits which is going to last them for life. I don't count calories. You need to eat small six meals a day. Each meal should have a portion of protein, fibre, good fats and carbs. Even if it's a snack.

You have trained a number of celebrities, any particular one whose transformation you are proud of?
I'm proud of all my celebrity clients. Starting with Bebo (Kareena Kapoor) when she came to me more than 10 years back she was a big girl. It took us a long time to work and work and she finally managed to lose weight and went to Rujuta Diwekar and followed a diet and she was ready for Tashan. That's a combo of yoga, food and training with me. Katrina came to me again a big girl, she met me and asked if I can make her thin. And that was it, you saw the transformation in Sheila ki Jawani, from what she used to be. From Sheila to Chikni Chameli to Dhoom3. And every role is a transformation because every role requires a different look to work towards. Deepika has always had a great body since she's been an athlete. I think what I have helped with Deepika is fine tune her body. If you see her in Lovely from Happy New Year, the pilates work really shows on her body. You can see the definition of the stomach muscles. Alia is my newbie. Just recently she said she was shooting for something and was wearing a revealing outfit and she said her body looked really different and good. More than anything with her I've managed to build strength.

When it comes to the men, do six packs matter?
The men require a certain look for each film. So whether it is a six pack or an eight pack look, that is what they are working for. With men it depends on their roles. Hrithik may have a six or eight pack for Bang Bang but after that if he's not shooting for a bit he is going to relax and not maintain the same look. The same way Shah Rukh had for Om Shanti Om, after that he didn't have that look. What Aamir had for Ghajini he worked towards for the film. There's no one who maintains that pack because it is very challenging. You've to constantly be cutting down on a lot of stuff from your food. You get a six or eight pack when your body fat percentage is at its minimal. Pilates is really good for men too. I have a few cricketers I have trained and they've enjoyed it because every imbalance they create on the field because of using only one side gets sorted when doing pilates.

Any reason you have only one branch of your gym Body Image so far?
I am very anal about getting everything right. I have CCTVs all over so if there's a trainer in one corner and if I see him do one thing wrong I will tell him. Having said that my goal for 2015 is to start four more centres in Mumbai. I want to start pilates studios all over the city as there are umpteen gyms. The whole of 2014 I have been going to the US to certify myself to be a master trainer. I am also working on a book that's releasing in August. Called Sculpt and Shape - the Pilates ways, it is about pilates and the different postures.

What is your fitness and eating routine like? Do you have cheat days?
I set aside two hours a day for myself. I feel like if I am not fit or feeling fit I cannot endorse fitness. I weight train twice a week, do pilates five days a week, cardio six days a week and Sundays I rest. One of my trainers now has started raw food cooking. She makes raw food dessert. They are sugar free, gluten free, organic, lactose free and taste divine. So I do indulge in desserts once a week. I eat six small meals a day. Once a week I allow myself to cheat. My cheat is dessert or biryani.

You've often said you can't look like someone else. Comment
Every second person who comes to my gym wants to look like someone else. You first need to look the best of what you can before you can look like someone else and that's what I make most people understand.

How do you find time to unwind?
I am very good at time management. As much as I work hard, I have a social life as well and I take holidays with my kids once a year. I am always home when they come back from school. Every weekend I need to go out with my friends. I have a good mix of work and play.