You have to sweat it out: John Abraham

My athletic physique is a result of lots of hard work and discipline, says John Abraham.

During my school and college days, I played football and basketball regularly. But these days I sweat it out at the gym almost everyday. Though I am lucky to have a naturally athletic-looking frame, I still have to work hard to maintain my physique. I don't take it easy despite a hectic schedule and frequent outdoor shoots.

It is very important for me to stay in shape...
Even when my bread and butter did not depend on my looks as it does now, I saw to it that I stayed fit and healthy. I go to the gym daily and work out for a couple of hours, lifting weights and doing cardio exercises. Kickboxing is another great form of exercise as it strengthens the muscles and is a fun way to burn calories.

Thanks to my roots, the must-have items on my menu are fish and rice...
My dad is a Malayalee while mom is Parsi. So there was fish and rice at the dinner table almost every day while I was growing up. Though I have turned vegetarian since the last four years, I dig into fish occasionally. In that sense, I am a 'fishetarian'.

I don't take any supplements to beef up my looks...
I am a teetotaller and since I work out quite regularly, I stay healthy and in shape despite all the rice I eat. It also helps that I break up my meals into several smaller ones. My nutritionist has drawn up a diet chart for me. It's best to eat balanced meals consisting of the vital carbohydrates, minerals and proteins. And no, I don't take any supplements to build my body.

—As told to Shabana Ansari