I have a yoga mat in my vanity van: Shakti Mohan

Tell us about your workout regime.

I think being fit is an indispensable ingredient for holistic well-being. Being in the business of the entertainment, fitness plays a more imperative role because there is a corporal representation to constantly cater to. I’m fit largely because I enjoy being fit, so 90 per cent free will and 10 per cent compulsion. I always find the time to exercise, I don’t really make excuses. I like to start my day with meditation followed by yoga and then exercise. So I’ll wake up three hours prior to my call time on sets in case I’m shooting and make sure I burn those calories. But it’s also important to note that dance is a great form of exercise and I’m constantly burning calories because I’m busy dancing all-day long. I generally workout every day for a minimum of 30 minutes with a 15 minute warm up and in case I have extra time then 60 minutes. My workouts include breathing exercises like Kapal Bhati, ab crunches and strength training. Breathing is crucial in dancing and so, it is an important part of my exercises. Of late, I have been struggling to stay fit because of long hours on Dance India sets and travelling, but I am extremely careful about my diet. I have a yoga mat in my vanity van.  

What is your weak spot?

I don’t really have a weak spot or a problem area because I have always maintained good weight and a well-toned figure from the very start. However, I like to give a lot of focus to having an agile and toned body so I generally like to do a lot of pole dancing, ballet, belly dancing or flamenco when it comes to dance or then second position plies . It’s funny but I’ve always wanted to put on weight and at one point I used to consume butter and fried food and cheese but I just didn’t put on any extra kilos!

What are the fitness goals that you want to achieve?

I would like to be not just physically fit but also mentally and emotionally fit. Fitness has to be a holistic concept rather than just a fad of hitting the gym, and competing with your next door neighbour. I want to be healthy inside out. People forget that a healthy body can prevent ailments and help you be independent as you age. I’d like to catch up on more sleep!

What is your best asset?

My abs and legs. I do the prone plan (push ups) about a 50 times followed by the hundred (pilate move) about 30 times everyday. People call me a pehlwan on sets!

Tell us about your diet.

I’m pretty disciplined with my diet and I have been maintaining this routine for years now. Since childhood, I have been a very careful eater as I always stayed away from fried food.  My day starts with a heavy breakfast including fruits, cereals, juices, and eggs. I sip on a lot of water throughout the day. Lunch usually comprises of roti or brown rice, salad, tandoor, and curd. For dinner, I have lots of steamed vegetables and soup. I prefer to stay away from packaged foods and junk during the week and I’m very conscious of the nutritional factor in the food. Indian cuisine is my favourite.

Do you cheat on your diet?

I do cheat on Sundays when I eat whatever I fancy. I’m not a foodie and I don’t believe in experimenting with food but also not completely restricting my cravings. You have one life and you have to live it, in a disciplined manner!

What food can you not resist? Any food allergies? Any diet mistakes you did in the past?

I generally have great will power. My friends get mad at me because I don’t have cake even on my own birthday, although I have a sweet tooth. Only when I walk into a Chinese restaurant, I cannot resist honey noodles with ice-cream. I was once travelling outside India and I got an allergic reaction to a salad that was created in fish oil. I don’t have tea and coffee because it gives me a lot of acidity so I stick to green tea.

Your message for readers who want to emulate you?

Have your role models but become your own hero. Many a time people want to emulate their favourite stars without understanding their bodies and resort to unnatural ways of losing weight. It’s important to set realistic goals with clear milestones. Take inspiration from everyone—even people who can’t be physically active and it will reinforce why you’re lucky and how you should use that luck. What you think so you become!

—As told to Melissa D’Costa D’Silva