‘Fitness is about being healthy’

Manpriya Singh

A software engineer from Chandigarh decided to pursue the glamour industry, write a book and do things she has always loved doing.

Amidst constant experiments and changes what has lasted forever for Mumbai-based South film actress Samaira Sandhu is the passion for fitness.

“But I am not the sorts who would pick up dumbbells. I would rather dance to stay fit,” she says, with her latest release being a Tamil movie, Dhayam. Coming up is the protagonists role in yet another Tamil film Damyanti. She adds, “I have also written a fiction novel titled Heaven on a Hell published by Become Shakespeare.

Fitness philosophy

To cut the long story really short, fitness is about being healthy. It’s not about being slim or even beautiful. Physical beauty automatically follows a healthy body. It’s about listening to your body while chalking out your exercise and diet routine.

First thing in the morning

…is a glass of lukewarm water with coriander paste and lemon in it. I also like to have ajwain water but that is usually before meals.

Gym person?

Not really. I do yoga, I do zumba in the morning, and cross fit training in the evening.

Diet regime

It depends on the role I am working on at that moment, but usually I follow a high protein diet. These days, my water intake includes a lot of butter milk and lemonade. Breakfast comprises egg-whites with milk and green tea on alternate days. The in- between period is a soya snack. Lunch comprises yogurt, brown rice or a portion of grilled fish. In between lunch and dinner, is salad of seasonal veggies. And there is no dinner. There is only supper of soups and curries.

I admire…

Akshay Kumar. I have seen him work out. He is a perfect picture of healthy choices and holistic living. He has no addictions, coffee, tea, alcohol, wakes up early. He is committed to his work-outs.

On sweet-tooth

I am more of a salt lover and love salty things but dark chocolate is my weakness. Though I know how to keep a control on my cravings.

The most common fitness mistake

The most common fitness mistake that people make is crash diet. Another most common but never talked about mistake people make is they don’t balance their workouts. Or, if you get into hard-core workout and then leave it immediately. That will cause more harm to the body than good.

manpriya@tribunemail.com