In the business of fitness …
I come from a family where all of us are genetically gifted with good bodies. Modelling happened by chance. Then magazines started approaching me for writing columns on fitness. In the meanwhile, I was training friends (Preity Zinta, et al). After a while I wanted to get specialised knowledge about the subject I was writing on, so I went abroad for a basic course in fitness (for two weeks) but actually ended up staying there for four months. Once I came back I was offered the project to train the contestants for Femina Miss India. And after that things just fell into place. Personally, I feel I am still learning.

My circle of friends …
Most of them are friends first, and clients later. And I got to be friends with them before they got famous. Gauri and I were doing a fashion show together and that’s how I met Shah Rukh (Khan). That time he was working in Fauji. Preity again I knew from modelling days. Lara also I knew from the modeling days and the friendship stayed on. Alvira Khan Agnihotri has been my friend for 25 years — we used to stay in the same neighbourhood. Coming to think of it, whoever has come into our circle of friends has been successful. Maybe it’s because of the positive energies we emit!

Family comes first …
When my kids were small, my entire work schedule revolved around their daily routine. If they had play school, I would take training sessions during that time. I could have done bigger things earlier, but for me my kids came first. Today that they are busy with studies and friends, I feel I can take up bigger projects. As a rule I don’t work after 7 p.m. and once a year I go for long annual vacations with my kids.

‘Play’ing entrepreneur …
Once I got into personal training, the most obvious next step was to have my own training studio. I always wanted to have a space which will be a holistic centre where my clients could engage in all kinds of fitness activities (gym, yoga, kick boxing, etc), get guidance on nutrition, skin and indulge in some body pampering. Now with ‘Play’ (Bandra, Mumbai, Tel: 022-30607686), I feel I am getting there. Our spa Charcoal has just opened recently. I am working towards creating a library on the rooftop where people could just pick up a book and read.

Fitness should not become an obsession…
There is no quick fix solution. To me a positive frame of mind is the first requisite of a fit body. Fitness should be a way of life. Just like you brush your teeth, indulge in some form of exercise daily. Eat healthy (that is a well balanced meal) but don’t become obsessive. There’s so much in life to look forward to rather than mulling over your body image. Understand your body and know where you can push it to. Stop aspiring to look like somebody. The key to confidence is being comfortable in your own skin.

Definite mood-lifters
Go shopping: Once a week keep aside a designated budget for shopping something for yourself. It could be as simple as picking up a nice tee-shirt.
Visit a salon: Once a month, keep a day off for your over-all grooming. If you are well-groomed, your confidence will soar.
Do a good deed: Once a day make somebody smile. Nothing makes us feel better than a selfless gesture. Do something for others without expecting anything in return.

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