Bollywood Stars Fitness Secrets - Diet and Health

Arjun Rampal's Workout Mantras For a Sculpted Body In Ra.One

2011-12-08T02:03:00.000-08:00

Superb villain Workout: Arjun Rampal sculpted his delicious body in Ra.One on the back of an injury. He lets us in on his workout mantras

For Ra.One, Arjun Rampal spent countless hours in the gym bulking up and chiselling his body to ridiculous perfection. But like a balloon that is happy to not be at its inflated best, Arjun says he has never liked the ‘body-builder look’.

Arjun Rampal's Sculpted Body For Ra.One

“The minute my chest goes to 42 or 43, I feel like I would need a bra (laughs). It doesn’t feel natural,” Arjun says, adding that one must understand what kind of a body they are happy with. “I can bulk up very fast. I can lift heavy weights because, like most people, I started off with heavy workouts. That’s stayed in my muscle memory.” Pinching his denims, he says, “I feel horrible when I feel my jeans are getting tight. Work outs peace me out.”

A skinny boy in his school years, Arjun was always an athlete and used to work out during college. “I think it is easier for thinner people to build on a frame once you get lean muscle. I get bored lifting weights at the gym and it isn’t enough as your body becomes stiff. So I train in different ways such as core training, cardio with weights, playing sports such as tennis, cycling, swimming and running 10 kms once a week.”

STOP BEFORE YOU DROP

Upholding a dizzying level of fitness hasn’t been injury-free for Arjun. He winces as he recollects the excruciating pain that slipped discs brought him on two occasions. “The worst was when I was squatting, about to lift weights. And as I bent… pop… my spinal disc popped. I felt a biting bolt of current shoot through my legs,” recounts Arjun, who was then shooting for Housefull. “I took painkillers and continued shooting. The lesson here is you must listen to your body, because it can go into a spasm otherwise.”

TRAINING DAYS

His regular workouts turn into relentless five-day-a-week ironpumping affairs once he is getting ready for a role. “When I was shooting for Raajneeti, Shah Rukh told me I should also start shooting for Ra.One. Some crazy training was on its way.” Training essentially means two unforgiving hours in the gym. About 40 minutes of various cardio, 10 minutes on treadmill to warm-up and then a specific body part. “I find 12 pm as the best time to work out. During training, I do two body parts a day: chestback, back-triceps or chest-biceps so that my body doesn’t get used
to a pattern,” says Arjun.

The gruelling schedule is followed by 20 more minutes on the treadmill and 10 minutes of calming down. “I always stretch before a workout and run a lot so that my heart rate accelerates. I do my lower back exercises so that my core
and back are warmed up enough because I am scared of injuring myself again. I work out very fast. I don’t take breaks and train non-stop for 80 minutes.” When Arjun does these body parts for three days, he doesn’t lift weights on the fourth but does only core, cardio and stretching. He says, “At times, I do Tabata, a high-intensity Japanese training regimen, in which I must do 20 seconds of a specific body part with 10 seconds of rest. This must be done eight times within four minutes. Your heart rate shoots through the roof but you burn a lot of fat.”

THE MAKING OF A SUPER-VILLAIN

To carve a lethal body for Ra.One, on the back of his injury, meant he had to start very slow. “No weights, no bending… only core training. It was very tough. But in 15 days, I worked out with a vengeance and made my core really strong. Zarine Watson trained me very scientifically because she had seen the seriousness of my injury in the x-rays,” he says. Freehand training and a lot of cardio with altitude training (wearing masks that simulate the effect of exertion at high altitudes) enhanced Arjun’s stamina and metabolism. “By the end of it, I was doing close to 2500 sit ups and 40 pound dumbbells while hanging from a pull-up bar. You push your body and it all happens.”

His diet had also switched to what he has in his "training mode’. Two whole wheat toasts, a dozen egg whites and a protein shake in the morning. Dry fruits such as walnuts and cashews munched on every now and then. “I would eat five small meals, as they increase my metabolic rate. For lunch, I would include some carbs. So it would be a roti or two with dal, tandoori chicken and whole wheat bread sandwiches.”

FOOD NO BAR

There is hope for even the most hardened foodies when Arjun agrees with their mantra — eat everything. “I am a foodie and I don’t avoid anything. I know guys who have an occasional kheer or chocolate cake and fall sick. Now that is ridiculous. I don’t ever want to be in that space.”A red wine connoisseur with an aversion to aerated drinks, Arjun hails salads as ‘essential food’ and recommends eating half an avocado a day, ‘because it contains good fats and burns your stubborn fat.’

Then of course is the golden rule — wrap up your dinner by 8 pm. “Avoid carbs because after 9 pm, your system shuts down. So dining late means everything you are putting in there will stay like garbage, with no nutritional value.”

SMOKES AND SHAKES

Puffing on his fourth cigarette of the hour, Arjun admits he needs to quit his ‘terrible habit’. “I think if I wasn’t smoking I would be running for the Olympics (laughs).” After making his profession an excuse for making it difficult for him to give up, Arjun points out, “When I work out rigorously, somehow my cigarette intake reduces. I can almost feel how each drag is undoing all the good I am doing to my body.”

And does he agree with the latest ‘health supplement’ fads? “I take only whey protein shakes. I haven’t ever tried amino acids or creatine, let alone steroids. I find playing with hormones very dangerous. Each of our body types are unique and special. So when none of us look alike, why should our bodies look the same?”

Want Marilyn Monroe’s Killer Body- Her Diet and Exercise Secrets Revealed

2011-12-01T04:46:00.000-08:00

She had one of the most famous bodies of all time – and women have coveted her curves ever since. But just how did Marilyn Monroe achieve her perfect hourglass figure?

Marilyn Monroe’s Diet

Unlike today’s celebs who seem to go from one fad diet to the next, Marilyn Monroe’s diet seemed pretty sensible. One of her supermarket receipts showed a healthy mix of fruit, veg, protein and carbohydrates – as well as one or two treats.

She bought artichokes, eggs, cucumber, radishes, cheddar cheese, corn-on-the-cob, strawberries, endive, steaks, milk, lamb chops and chicken.

She also had some English muffins and strawberry jam.

Her diet was fairly controlled though and she tended to work around a set menu every day.

Her food was simple and wholesome and she often cooked for herself.

Breakfast: A typical day would start with orange juice and two slices of white toast with butter.

Lunch: Lunch included two tablespoons of cottage cheese and a baked potato.

Dinner: For dinner she would eat some lean meat, either a lamb chop, chicken or roast beef, with a potato ‘any way but fried’ and vegetables.

Between meals the actress had a cup of milk and perhaps a cracker.

She finished the day with a glass of eggnog.

HER EXERCISE

Marilyn was ahead of her time when it came to working out. She got up early and went for jogs around her Los Angeles neighbourhood before coming home to lift dumb-bells to tone her arms. Marilyn also enjoyed dancing and was only too aware that as well as helping her have fun, exercising helped to maintain her amazing body.

Yash Birla Refutes Misconceptions/Myths About Working Out

2011-11-19T01:23:00.000-08:00

FITNESS MYTHS DEBUNKED by Fitness enthusiast Yash Birla

There’s a quick fix out there somewhere: When you find it, please let me know. This is just pure wishful thinking. But before you decide to hit the gym and pump iron with full gusto, you need to be aware of some truths and disregard common myths doing the rounds.

Weight training makes you big; aerobic exercise cuts you up
Weight training enables one to stress existing muscles. This forces the muscle fibres to adapt by getting bigger and stronger in time. Aerobic exercise is generally meant to improve cardiovascular efficiency and improves the body’s ability to uptake oxygen but does not help in building muscles in the way strength training does and hence does not raise basal metabolic rate or get rid or the ‘after burn effect’. In the long run, weight training is more efficient than aerobics for burning up calories.

High repetitions make your muscles harder and more cut-up
If you can perform more than 15 repetitions in general, it simply means the load is not sufficient to force the muscles to adapt. Higher repetitions will only help in giving a pump but for strength gains ideally 3-7 reps are best and for muscle gains 8-12 reps are ideal. The only way that high repetitions would make a muscle more cut-up is if, by doing a higher number of reps, your body as a whole was in negative energy balance, and you were burning more calories than you were ingesting. The truth is, heavy weights, lifted for 5-12 reps per set, can build rock-hard muscles. You just have to get the fat off them to see how hard they are.

Training with weights causes your muscles to get tight and hinders flexibility and consequently athletic performance
Weight training when done properly will in fact increase flexibility. People who have consistently followed a weight training programme have not only built a strong physique but also enhanced their flexibility and performance like Martina Navratilova (tennis), Evander Holyfield (boxing), Madonna, Melvin Anthony (bodybuilding) to name a few.

If you stop working out, your muscle will turn into fat
Muscle is made up of individual cells — living, breathing cells that undergo all kinds of complex metabolic processes. Fat cells are simply storage sites of lipids. If you stop working out and stop applying resistance to your muscles on a consistent basis, they will simply adapt to the new condition. In other words, they’ll shrink.

Women will become huge if they weight train
Firstly, women do not produce high amounts of testosterone that is necessary to develop that degree of muscle mass, and secondly, most women do not possess the amount of strength to lift enough weights and furthermore eat enough to assimilate that much muscle mass.

Taking steroids will make you huge
Not true. Strength training and correct nutrition will grow muscle. Taking steroids without training will not make you muscular. Most steroids allow faster muscle growth through greater recovery, but this is possible only if the muscle is stimulated in the first place and given the right nutrients in the right proportions. Without food to build the muscle or training to stimulate it, nothing will happen. Most of the weight gain seen with the use of some steroids is due to water retention and is not actual muscle.

One needs exercises to work on lower abs to reduce a pot belly
First, there is no such thing as lower abs. The sixpack you’re going for is actually one long muscle, called the rectus abdominis, that extends from below your chest to your pelvis. To work your abs, you should do exercises to target all four muscles — the rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques and the transverse abdominis. Secondly, doing crunches will not help you get a sixpack if you have a layer of fat over your abdominal area. In order to the see the muscles; you must reduce your body fat.

Stretching before exercise reduces injury
Before exercising vigorously, your muscles and joints should be warm and limber. However, light exercise does this more efficiently than deep stretching and is less likely to result in injury. Stretching before exercise may actually increase the risk of injury. In fact, it is better to stretch during and after completing your workout.
- Yash Birla
Source: TOI

Chitrangda Singh Recommends Cardiobased Exercises For Women For a Toned Physique

2011-11-12T06:05:00.000-08:00

BOLD AND BOOTY-FULL

Chitrangda Singh is not a size zero but has one of the most desirable bodies. She owes it to doing things in equal measure

Of the many enviable beauties in Bollywood, very few match up to the sultry allure of Chitrangda Singh. This 35-year-old mother of one has a slender, well-toned frame. Her mantra for a fit mind and body isn’t out of the ordinary. She sticks to a typical diet and exercise routine, and steers clear of new-age crash diets. She isn’t a fitness junkie and won’t be found sweating it out in a gym three hours a day.

She exercises four times a week, with gaps for weeks while she’s travelling or shooting. Chitrangada explains, “I’m not an exercise junkie but definitely an enthusiast. I like to try out different combinations of aerobics and cardio exercises for a wellrounded workout. I’m not fanatical about a regimen or schedule. I try to be regular and dedicated and when I have a project, I like to get into shape for it, but it happens over a course of a few months, on and off.”

SPORTY KIDS

“Thanks to my Army background, my father made sure we were involved in some sort of sports. He would wake us up in the wee hours and we’d head out for tennis or a jog, but my favourite was always swimming. My dream body is not a skeletal size zero but a beautifully toned swimmer’s or diver’s body.” Always a bit of a plump child, Singh didn’t really consider her weight an issue until modelling came her way. “I wasn’t fat but I was plump,” she says. “Once I started working, it was required of me to maintain a fit body. When I started work on Hazaron Khwaishen…, I realised my body needed a slight do-over. It didn’t bother me but I knew I had to get into shape.” There hasn’t been a substantial difference in weight since then, she has come down to 55 kg from 57-58 kg. “The drop in dress sizes has been more drastic, I used to be a UK 8 or 10 and am now UK 6,” she says. For Desi Boyz, she had to wear a lot of fitted dresses. “This didn’t require me to lose weight, but sculpting was important. Arms became a high priority,” she says. Her stamina has increased substantially. “Earlier, I used to take many breaks on the treadmill, but now I can go on for 30 minutes continously,” she says.

GETTING STARTED

After wrapping up Desi Boyz, Singh’s trainer Promod Dadlani, designed a workout to target problem areas. The regimen lasts an hour and fifteen minutes. Dadlani gives cardiobased exercises that last 40 minutes and include running, cycling or working on the cross trainer. “She gets bored easily, so I have come up with a range of exercises,” he explains. To avoid excessive muscle development, Singh trains with minimum weights but keeps a high repetition cycle — about 30 to 40 reps per exercise.

They focus on upper thighs and calf muscles. “These are my problem areas. I like to have shapely legs,” she says. “The impact of low weight-high repetition is higher for my body type and it’s got the result I was expecting. Women don’t have a high musculature so to maintain a toned physique, cardiobased exercises work well.”

WARM UP

Chitrangda chalks in a workout first thing in the morning, so it’s essential to get her pressure up and running before strenuous exercises. A jog for 10-15 minutes or cycling, or substituting either for a cross trainer does the job. She also does basic stretching exercises with one or two sets of light weights on her legs to warm up.

PROBLEM AREAS

The average duration of cardio is 40 to 50 minutes. “We also work on individual areas such as the upper body, triceps, biceps, back, hips and legs. Squats, lunges, step-ups, legpress, leg-extensions, and legcurls are great for the lower body. She does these with weights and 30 to 40 repetitions,” says Dadlani.
» Squats and lunges with 30 kg.
» Step-ups with 10 kg.
» Leg press, extensions and curls for toning hamstrings with about 75 kg.
» For upper body and arms, 3 kg dumbbells suffice.
» Cool down is a few stretches to make sure the body isn’t sore later.

Dadlani insists on correct posture while performing squats. Do not bend your back forward as you squat. Also, hip and leg should be at a 90 degree angle from each other at all times.

EATING RIGHT

Never a foodie, now more than ever, Singh keeps a tab on what she eats. High on protein and low on fat, her diet consists of fish, lean meat, fruits and nuts. “For breakfast,” she says. “I usually have an egg white sandwich, oats or nuts. I love fish so I have it grilled with vegetables and with bajra roti, brown rice or bread for lunch and dinner. After workouts, I snack on fruits, Oreo shakes or Twix bars. I indulge in my favourite fried eggs and bacon once a week.”

Omega 3 fatty acids oils are healthy, so she has a steady consumption of nuts and olive oil. Singh has five meals a day — three big meals and two snacks — at three-hour intervals.

Dino Morea Shares His Workout Fundas-No Complicated Fitness Regimes or Diets

2011-11-10T06:35:00.000-08:00

WHILE he's had a six-pack since as long as we can remember, actor- entrepreneur Dino Morea has never been one for complicated fitness regimes or diets. And his definition of keeping it simple is roughing it out on the soccer field. The actor, who was a judge on a fitness show organised by a gym recently, shares his love for fitness:

Workout fundas

I play basketball and football twice a week for a couple of hours. So, sports comprises a major part of my workout. The rest of the days I visit the gym, where I do a lot of strength training. I also do balancing exercises on a regular basis. In fact, I have tied a rope to a tree in my garden. Everyday, I try to climb the rope, which is also a form of workout. When I was a kid, my father used to make me participate in all kinds of sports. I played tennis professionally till the age of 13, and then switched to basketball. I was also into athletics, football and hockey. So, fitness has been a part of my life since childhood.

Being a sport

Fitness is important for each one of us. It keeps your mind and body healthy. And it gives us urbanites a sense of discipline, because it’s always a challenge to incorporate fitness in our busy schedules. It also helps us unwind. When I play a game of football, my mind is totally on the game. It just drives away all the mental stress and pressure. For those who find going to the gym and exercising a drudgery, sports is the perfect option.

No diet dilemma

The concept of dieting didn't exist in the time when I was growing up. My parents told us to eat everything. I am a firm believer in moderation. I indulge in chocolates once in a while without any guilt because I know that I am going to burn off those extra calories once I hit the football field. The notion of ' size zero' is utter crap. You will die if you have a size zero body. I believe that an athletic body is what you should aim for since it facilitates faster movement. When I read about some of the modern diets, I just can't stop laughing.

Massage mantra

I meditate at times, and also love getting massages. A full body massage is a great way to relax your muscles. It helps me rejuvenate after a tiring day on the sports field. A good massage calms me down, not to mention that it makes me feel pampered (smiles).

Bipasha Basu's Diet and Workout For a Bikini Fit Body

2011-11-06T09:19:00.000-08:00

Despite being a fitness freak Bipasha did not want to leave any stone unturned to look her best in a bikini in Players. She improved her diet and workouts 3 months in advance as she wanted to look really toned in her bikini scene. Bipasha has already worn a Bikini in Dhoom 2 and now wears a two-piece for a film five years after.

“I did not follow a different diet or workout regime to look perfect in the bikini, as I stay fit all year round. I only went on a strict, high-protein diet for some time and increased the intensity of my cardio workouts.”

Bipasha is said to have plans to launch another workout routine on how to get a good beach body. Find details of Bipasha's first fitness dvd 'Love Yourself' here

Bipasha’s bikini diet

Egg whites in all forms

Mushrooms and broccoli

Steamed fish with less salt

Snacking on nuts, apples and drinking several cups of green tea

And last but not the least, six weeks of rigorous discipline

Bipasha Basu wears a two-piece for Players five years after she did Dhoom: 2

The last time Bipasha Basu flaunted her bikini bod was in 2006, for Dhoom: 2. Five years later, she is donning one again for Players. The actor says, “I’m a beach bum and I love hanging out in the swimming pool, so I’m very comfortable wearing a bikini. My only concern was that the scene should be shot well, and the cinematographer Ravi K Chandran took care of that.”

The scene was shot in Wellington (New Zealand) in freezing cold water. Bips adds, “After the scene was done, the chief assistant director, Tinu, gave me a plate of muffins and Sikandar Kher and Omi Vaidya took me out for pizza, so it was worth it! We were supposed to shoot this scene on the morning of Abhishek Bachchan’s birthday, so I missed out on the fun the night before. I went out with them for a little while and came back sulking, as I had to be up early. The rest of them continued to party, though.”

The Bengali bombshell says she tried on several bikinis for the scene, but ultimately chose one from her personal wardrobe. She adds, “I did not follow a different diet or workout regime to look perfect in the bikini, as I stay fit all year round. I only went on a strict, high-protein diet for some time and increased the intensity of my cardio workouts.”

Recalling her Dhoom: 2 days, Bips says, “At that time, I was just thin. Today I am fitter and curvier. I programmed my workout to attain the perfect beach body. I was trained by Paul Britto, who has been my trainer for years.”

Bipasha Basu's Bikini body fitness, Diet that Bipasha Basu followed for a Bikiti fit body, Bipasha Basu's workout to attain Bikini body.

John Abraham's Diet and Workout Regime Pre and Post Force

2011-10-19T08:03:00.000-07:00

Post his beefed-up look in Force, John Abraham works out just as hard to tone down his mega muscles and sport a lean, mean, fighting machine look. This is how he’s doing it

John Abraham's Force Look

While John Abraham has always had one of the best bodies in Bollywood, gearing up to be the bulked up fighting machine in Force took superhuman effort. The actor had eight months to beef up for the film and then had to return to his normal body size immediately after for his next project. This extreme change was overseen by his trainer Vinod Channa, who monitored his diet every day and varied John’s workouts to suit him.

It was no easy task. John talks about the rigours he put his body through, “I’ve grown up as a lean kid and I like the element of size. I weighed about 85-86 kilos before Force. I went up to 96 and now I weigh in at about 86. In terms of fitness, I can’t benchmark myself against anyone in this industry.”

John’s body type is ecto-mesomorph (long limbs, good endurance) and his diet and workouts were planned accordingly. His trainer Vinod says, “We had eight months to gain 8-10 kilos of muscle weight. I increased his carbohydrate and protein intake. You don’t need to put in more time working out if you practise the technique perfectly. Most people wrongly tend to put weight on joints, instead of the muscle.”

MUSCLING UP

An actor’s day is usually brimming over with commitments that result in long hours, but John was careful to never skip his workouts. Even if he had to do it at midnight or even later, he was committed to attain his target. As he jokes, “Working on the body is a full-time job. A high-end car requires high-end octane fuel. I’m a vegetarian but I eat egg whites and fish as my body, at 95 kg, needed 200 grams of proteins to stay alive.”

It’s fascinating when he talks about the difference between then and now. He says, “I consumed about 25-30 egg whites a day, now I eat about six-seven. I could do 1,200 leg presses, now it’s about 500-600. At one shot, I could do 150-200 pushups very easily, now it’s about 80-90. The day I finished shooting for Force, I ate biryani that was meant for seven-eight people! Now my diet has dropped to a tenth of what I consumed during Force.” Vinod adds that when John would work out, he would stand on the weights to intensify their impact, astonishing the others at the gym.

JOHN ABRAHAM’S REGIMEN PRE-FORCE:
Workout Regime John Abraham Followed to Achieve the Force Look

Vinod says, “To get the body you desire, 60 per cent depends on the diet and 40 per cent on the workout.” John burnt 6,000-7,000 kilo-calories and so needed a high protein, high carb diet. Vinod ensured that John got his proper dose of multivitamins, proteins and supplements which, if ignored, result in sideeffects like constipation and gas. “No steroids,” he says. They worked out for six seven days a week for Force.

John used to work out two body parts a day. Chest and triceps one day; back, the next. It would be followed by shoulder and biceps and then legs, twice a week. The actor would run for 20-25 minutes after the workout. Four sets of each exercise with 10-12 reps each. Each body part had four-five variations.of the exercise.

JOHN ABRAHAM’S REGIMEN POST-FORCE

It took John only a month to return to his original body weight and it was done systematically. Now five sessions a week suffice. The weights have reduced and so has the diet. Now it’s down to four-six egg whites, protein is limited to two scoops and the taboo list doesn’t change. As Vinod says, with appropriate guidance and discipline, the body is ready for sculpting.

JOHN ABRAHAM’S SPECIAL DIET FOR THE FORCE LOOK

» Oatmeal for breakfast

» 25-30 egg whites (12 in the morning, 6-7 for lunch, rest for dinner)

» 3-4 slices of steamed fish

» Pasta (for the carbs quotient)

» Whey proteins

» Salad (proteins)

» Bajra/ jowar/ nachni rotis (lunch/ dinner)
On the taboo list were maida, oil, rice and sweets. In fact, John can’t even remember the last time he ate ice-cream!

Find here: John Abraham's Fitness Regime To Get The Force Body/Look

Sarah Jane Dias Works Out at Least 3 Times a Week

2011-10-15T01:33:00.000-07:00

‘I listen to my body’ ...says Sarah Jane Dias, who doesn’t overeat despite food being a weakness

MY EXERCISE REGIME

I try to squeeze in enough time to workout at least three times a week. A mix of cardio and strength training are a must for my body type. I also try to include yoga at least a couple of times a week. It is like an internal work out as well. Just to mix things and keep my work out interesting, I do boxing and kickboxing as well sometimes.

MY PROBLEM AREAS

My weight is pretty much under control but I find that if I do put on weight, it tends to be around my stomach and hips. Stomach and hips are areas that require nothing but cardio exercises, so that’s what I tend to focus on for these areas. I find boxing and kickboxing extremely effective for these areas.

MY STRENGTHS

I’m not really one to show off, but I would count on my legs as my strength. I’m not fanatical about my weight, but it definitely is important to me. Being fit and healthy is far more important than being skinny.

MY DIET

I am a non- vegetarian, but I eat good amounts of fruits and vegetables. I don’t have any particular diet that I follow, I eat almost everything, but am just careful about the quantity. Food is a weakness but I listen to my body and don’t overeat.

Ideal celeb body (male) Dino Morea because he’s not too bulky, not too lean, just right.

Ideal celeb body (female) Bipasha Basu for sure! She has an extremely toned, fit, yet feminine body.

Neha Dhupia is On a Macrobiotic Diet - Know Her Exercise and Diet Regime

2011-09-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

MY EXERCISE REGIME

My workouts comprise indoor and outdoor routines with a mixture of cardio and weight training thrice a week. I also play squash and often go for a swim. Both are great forms of cardio that not only make you sweat but also help you disconnect from the woes of the world and help you focus on what you have at hand, thereby improving your ability to concentrate and maximize your output.

Playing a sport or swimming helps maintain the interest level in a workout and adds to the fun element. I also practise yoga, something I’ve been doing for many years. You need to have a balance in your workouts as cardio helps build stamina and yoga helps provide the necessary balance and overall wellbeing.

Neha Dhupia

MY PROBLEM AREAS

My curves. But I always use them to my advantage since I don’t believe in size zero.

MY STRENGTHS

While I enjoy sweating it out in the gym. I believe my strength lies in my attitude. When I work out I always feel it is mind over body and because of that I’m always able to push myself a little more.

MY DIET REGIMEN

I am currently on a macrobiotic diet which is 80% organic. I don’t eat anything that comes out of a can. I eat freshly cooked vegetables, fresh fruits and consume freshlymade fruit and vegetable juices. I tend to stay away from red meat but I do give in once in a while. I love ghar ka khana because I know it is fresh and without preservatives.

I start my day with a glass of warm water with honey and lemon. For breakfast, I have five almonds and a bowl of fruits. Then follows a mid-afternoon snack of four boiled eggs with brown bread. Lunch usually consists of rice, roti, vegetables, dal and sprouts. My mid-evening snack is green tea and dried figs. Dinner is usually grilled vegetables and salad. My diet is specially constructed according to my blood group.

Ideal celeb body male

Daniel Craig because he is lean, fit, muscular and ripped!

Ideal celeb body female

Scarlett Johansson as she is extremely curvaceous and gorgeous, and Halle Berry as she’s well-toned and super fit.

John Abraham Says There Are No Shortcuts to Losing Weight and Looking Fit

2011-09-17T11:16:00.001-07:00

IF you thought that John Abraham was at his fittest best when you saw him in yellow tracks in Dostana, you need to look at him now. He spent eight long months working on his body for his upcoming film, because the filmmakers wanted him to build 96 kilos of muscle and look like Sylvester Stallone. The actor, who calls the gym his ' religion', talks about being India's sexiest bachelor and staying in shape: Body art I might have been voted as India's sexiest bachelor, but I don't find myself sexy.

Every morning I look in the mirror very critically and view my body as a piece of sculpture. I make a mental note of the part that needs to be chiselled and then down to work. I'm the happiest when I am working out. Even when I am down with fever, I make it a point to hit the gym. I’ve now reached 70 per cent of my optimum fitness level. In the next two years, I'll touch 90 per cent and then I'll be super fit.

When youngsters come to me saying that they like my physique because its proportionate, I love it. I tell them that it is important to stay fit. It’s good to know that have influenced a lot of people around me to become healthier.

Dare to bare People might say that he looks good in the ' yellow chaddi', but it takes guts to be able to bare that much. A great diet and great discipline are needed to look like that. And as actors, we need to have great bodies because cinema is a visual medium. Today, most stars are realising that and showing more skin than ever before. But frankly, I think all the actors in the industry need to work on their fitness, except maybe Akshay Kumar. Unfortunately, most stars have only focussed on their upper bodies. The Indian perception is that if your arms are big, you have good body. But you can have a six pack and still be unfit. It is important to workout every muscle in your body.

Gym jam I have been religiously eating healthy and exercising since the last 10 years. My target now is to look like Sylvester Stallone. I don't think there are any shortcuts to losing weight and looking fit. If you resort to a quick fix, you'll expand your glands or lose your hair or jeopardise your chances of having a baby. Trust me, it's not worth it.

Fitness Expert Deanne Panday's Book I’M NOT STRESSED

2011-08-23T00:09:00.000-07:00

FITNESS EXPERT DEANNE PANDAY SHARES A LITTLE BIT OF THE JOURNEY THAT LED UP TO HER BOOK, 'I’M NOT STRESSED', WHICH SHE SAYS WILL HELP YOU TOO
I’M NOT STRESSED - BUY NOW FOR Rs 129 >>

Deanne Panday ’s debut book might be titled, I Am Not Stressed, but she wants us to know that it’s taken her a while before she could get to a place that was “ stress- free”. “I am a perfectionist, and I am also very particular about time management, so it upsets me when people don’t value my time or when my expectations are not met,” says Deanne, who adds that she has learnt to manage stress better, over the years, by defining her priorities.

“You have to choose and plan what you want to do; (define) what’s important and how much time you want to invest in each task,” explains the health and fitness expert.

“At the end of the day you don’t want to return home stressed and take it out on your family and friends. You have one life to live, you want to be happy, and to be there for the people who matter.” Defining one’s priorities also helps empower an individual to say ‘ no’ to tasks that are not aligned with those priorities. “ It’s taken me a while, but over the years, I too have learnt to say, ‘ no’. That is my number one tip for time management,” she shares.

Understanding stress is a key component in managing stress, Deanne explains, which is also why part one of the book is dedicated to defining stress, its causes, and effects on the body. “ If I can’t focus on anything that

I’m doing at the moment, that to me is stress,” explains Deanne, who lists working out and yoga among her favourite ways to de- stress.

Not surprising then that the book lists workout plans, warm- up exercises and stretches. BUY THE BOOK NOW >> “When I was younger, I always wanted to be active. My favourite now is yoga and deep- breathing, though, I’m still very disciplined about my workouts.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Deanne, who will soon celebrate her forty- third birthday, says that she too has her share of insecurities and concerns about the process of ageing, but that she is “not striving to be a size zero.” “I don’t get overly obsessed. I eat white rice and I ensure I eat every two hours. You don’t need to workout for two- and- a- half- hours a day, and you don’t have to run to the gym if you’ve eaten a piece of cake the previous day.” Her best advice for weight loss? “ Keep a food journal.

When you look back at what you have eaten over two weeks, you will be able to perceive the situation better.

It’s only when you feed your system rubbish that you lean into a craving.”

5 FOODS THAT HELP YOU DE-STRESS

1. Dark-coloured fruits and vegetables like apricots,blueberries, beetroot,okra, peas, pumpkin
2. Low-fat cottage cheese
3. Nuts like almonds and pistachios
4. Oily fish like salmon and tuna
5. Decaf green tea or rosemary tea. Also gulp down water with a few squeezes of lime (lemon is a natural metabolizer)

TIP TO SLEEP BETTER: CUT DOWN ON CAFFEINE

You know that coffee can keep you up. But you forget there’s caffeine in tea and aerated drinks as well. Here’s another revelation. Caffeine can swim around in your system for nearly 10 hours after you first drank it. So, the earlier you have your last cup, the better your sleep will be.

suggest you drink your last caffeinated beverage before 5 pm. And if you want to snuggle with a warm drink, opt for decaffeinated green tea, malted drinks or hot chocolate.

Indian Residents Can Buy The Book Here For Only Rs 129 (Cash On Delivery) >>

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Shama Sikandar Talks About Her Style Statement

2011-08-22T23:50:00.000-07:00

AFTER a successful stint on TV, Shama Sikandar is now trying her hand at fashion. Here She talks about her style statement:

Fashion for me

Fashion is something that is constantly evolving and has the capability to transform a person. It can enhance a person’s look and make an overall difference to his persona.

My style statement

I love comfortable clothes that have little less bling and embroidery. Great fabrics and cuts are more my style. I think it's important to be comfortable in what you wear as that increases your sex appeal.

Beauty is all about confidence.

Accessorize

My simply love earrings. I will never have enough of them even if my whole house is filled with them. After earrings, it has to be bracelets. I have a weakness for small delicate earrings.

Colour of the season

According to me, red and purple are the two colours to watch out for this upcoming festive season. They are vibrant shades and have a happy feel about them.

Prized possession

I am very possessive about my Versace gown. It's red outfit with a cowl neck and drapes. I bought it in the USA and would never want to part from it.

Fashion faux

I think when you wear something that simply doesn’t suit you, you are in for a disaster.

How to Maintain Hair During the Monsoon Season

2011-08-20T05:29:00.000-07:00

TRESS TALK

The monsoon season is not too kind on your hair and can lead to hair loss and other problems.

How does it feel to have a bad hair day every day? It feels terrible! But that is what monsoon is about — if you do not take regular care, you end up with bad hair problems. Experts say that hair fall increases during the monsoons but you don’t need to panic because it is a temporary phase and stressing about it may just aggravate the problem.

WASH REGULARLY

If you want to get lustrous hair, wash your hair regularly with a mild shampoo, advises asthetician Ritu Tanwar. “Your hair and scalp should be kept clean. So, washing frequently with a gentle shampoo can get rid of oily and limp hair,” says Tanwar.

DRY THOROUGHLY

Dr Sadhana Deshmukh cautions, “Avoid getting your hair wet in the rains and never tie wet hair. Dry it immediately, especially if you have long hair, otherwise the roots of your hair may rot and produce a bad smell. Suspended particles in the air can settle on your scalp and make it itchy and lead to hair problems.”

PROTECT IT

She advises people to cover their hair when going out in the rains. A trendy umbrella or a stylish raincoat can not only protect your hair, but also make a style statement.

Aesthetic dermatologist Dr Nishita Sheth adds, “Rainwater weakens the shaft bonds, which in turn makes your hair dull and limp.” She says it is important to avoid using too many hair products.

Dr Sheth suggests, “If you want to, invest in good quality products and use an anti-humidity hair gel to groom stubborn hair. Oil your hair every week and go easy on hair dryers and chemical treatments.”

KEEP IT SHORT

Hair expert Jawed Habib says that since monsoon is a bad time for hair and leads to all kinds of hair problems, the right length of hair can help ease some of it. Habib suggests, “You need to keep your hair short because that makes it easier to dry and take care of. Short hairstyles look good and are easily manageable.”

AVOID TOO MANY PRODUCTS

Perry Patel cautions against using hair styling products too often. “Using minimal hair products is ideal,” he says. Dr Sheth agrees. “Use a mild shampoo and a gentle conditioner. Apply conditioner on the hair shaft instead of the hair root. Keep your scalp clean and go for a hair style that is easy to manage,” she says.

Yoga For Weight Loss - by Bharat Thakur

2011-08-02T23:23:00.000-07:00

Yoga For Weight Loss - by Bharat Thakur
Price: Rs.102 (CASH ON DELIVERY)
BUY NOW >>

Gaining weight and obesity is essentially a state of metabolic disturbance. We gain weight when there is an imbalance between the intake and expenditure of energy in the body. This imbalance in your system that can be cured with the help of simple and effective yogic techniques.

Yoga works in a unique way. It works on the endocrinal system and changes the hormonal balance in the body. Unwanted fat from the body is removed by burning calories as well as by altering the hormonal balance of the whole body. Yogic asanas tone up the body by penetrating deep into each tissue and muscle which general exercises cannot achieve. Yoga will help you change the functioning of your entire system, lose weight and build a healthy muscle tone.

This book provides a comprehensive and straightforward account of the process of losing weight and then maintaining it the Yoga way - BUY NOW (Rs 102/-)

Details of Book: Yoga For Weight Loss

Book: Yoga For Weight Loss
Author: Bharat Thakur
Binding: Paperback
Edition: 01
Number of Pages: 120
Language: English

About the Author

Bharat Thakur is an internationally renowned spiritual master who travels throughout the world conducting yoga and meditation workshops. The following Yoga Asana's for weight loss are his hand picked selections...

Yoga For Weight Loss - by Bharat Thakur
Price: Rs.102/-

Health Tips On How To Control Cholesterol Levels in the Body

2011-06-08T05:07:00.000-07:00

Eating right

HIGH cholesterol levels are a matter of concern amongst most of us today. Irregular, callous food habits and lack of exercise are the two main reasons for this sort of an imbalance. Here is what you could do to monitor your cholesterol levels:

Eat lots of garlic. Add it to your dals, soups, pastas, vegetables and curries. The thing to remember is that you must crush the garlic right before you're going to use it. Garlic is said to help with high cholesterol by lowering the amount of lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the 'bad cholesterol) as well as increasing the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the 'good' cholesterol).

It's a good idea to increase your intake of soy foods. Enjoy more tofu, green soybeans, dried soybeans, and soya nuggets. Soy is extremely low on cholesterol and rich in protein. Tofu contains Omega 3 fatty acids that lower LDL (bad) cholesterol without lowering HDL (good) cholesterol. This shortens the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Add beans to your diet three to five times a week. Try lentil soup, black beans and rice, kabuli chole, hummus and rajma beans. You can boil a handful of rajma beans and toss them into a salad.

Include a serving of fiber-rich fruit or vegetables at every meal and snack. Remember sprouts. They are low cholesterol and high in protein value.

Substitute olive oil or canola oil for butter, margarine and other refined oils in your cooking. Coconut oil is very rich in cholesterol, so it would be best to avoid it.

The Four-Week Countdown Diet: Now You Choose How You Lose By Namita Jain

2011-06-07T03:03:00.000-07:00

You may have tried dieting before, but have you ever managed to change your shape in just four weeks? Namita Jain, a renowned wellness expert, draws on her experience of twenty years as a weight management and fitness specialist to design a diet regime that you can easily work into your everyday schedule. And if you follow it properly, you could drop a trouser size a month, or maybe even two!

What’s more, there is no need to run to the grocery store for unheard- of ingredients, no elaborate preparations, no tasteless, colourless dishes that force you to give up in despair. This diet uses vegetables and masalas found in every Indian kitchen to create meals that are oil-free, calorie- free, yet delicious to eat. The recipes involve minimum fuss, yet add that irresistible aroma to your food without the oil.

The Four-week Countdown Diet includes:

Diet and workout plans suited to your individual needs

Tips on how to stock your kitchen and bar

Easy-to-make recipes

Simple exercises you can do at home

Everything you need to know about spas, saunas and weight-loss Gadgets

Real life examples from clients

So don’t wait. Make a difference to your life BUY NOW! (Rs 133/- Cash on Delivery)

About the Author

Namita Jain is a highly respected lifestyle and weight-management specialist and authority in the wellness industry. She holds prestigious international certifications in several fitness-related disciplines and has been actively involved in the wellness space for over twenty years, offering holistic guidance and teaching hundreds of students to get fitter, faster. She is a clinical fitness specialist at Bombay Hospital in Mumbai, structuring training programmes for patients with special needs, training the trainers and conducting specialized classes. Namita writes a variety of columns for leading newspapers and magazines in India, covering health issues such as nutrition, exercise and related topics.

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Tooth Care Tips - How to Prevent Dental Cavities/Teeth Decay

2011-06-05T00:12:00.000-07:00

Dental Care: Below are some tips on how to prevent tooth decay or painful cavities in Teeth

A dental cavity typically occurs when the bacteria present in the mouth cause tooth decay. In medical terms, this is called ‘dental caries’.

In many cases, it appears as a small chalky deposit, which may eventually develop into a large cavitation. Sometimes, a lesion may be directly visible. However, other methods of detection such as radiographs are required for less visible areas to judge the true extent of tooth destruction.

Caries or tooth decay is caused by teria in the mouth that convert all foods, specially starchy and sugary ones, into acids. These acids, in combination with saliva and food particles present in the mouth, form a sticky substance called plaque. It sticks to the outer-most layer of the teeth, and with time and poor oral hygiene; slowly makes its way in. Gradually, the acids move toward the inner layers of the teeth and if not treated by dentist, they may soon reach the softer, core part of the teeth which comprises the nerve chamber.

Caries lead to enormous pain, tooth destruction, infection of surrounding tissues and eventual loss of tooth.

Signs of Cavity in the Teeth

A cavity is usually painless at the initial stage. The earliest sign for a patient is toothache along with sensitivity to hot/cold foods and drinks.

Dental cavities can also cause bad breath and foul taste.

Risk factors

Individuals have varying degree of susceptibility to pain, depending on the shape of their teeth, oral hygiene habits, eating habits and the buffering capacity of their saliva.

Treatment

Treatment for cavity involves the use of fluoride sealants to seal caries within the initial stages, dental restorations, root canal therapy, and medication, or eventually tooth extraction as a last resort.

Adopting good oral care habits as well as making a few changes to one’s diet can stave off a cavity.

Preventive care is the best approach to treat cavities.

Let’s take a look at four easy steps to prevent the occurrence of a tooth cavity:

Brush your teeth twice a day: It is important to use a fluoride-based toothpaste and brush using proper technique. It is advised that you use a soft-bristled brush and apply only medium pressure on the gums and enamel.

Rinse with an essential-oil basedmouth wash twice a day, more so before going to sleep. Brushing alone cannot clean the complete mouth, whereas a liquid mouth wash can get to those hard-to-reach areas that brushing sometimes can’t.

Rinsing the mouth with a gentle, anti-microbial mouthwash along with brushing offers better oral protection.

Restrict the usage of starchy and sugary food items like cookies, pastries, junk food, aerated drinks, and drink plenty of water.

Visit the doctor once in a year for a complete screening and proper cleaning of teeth to ensure your mouth is plaque and cavity-free. dh

Tattoo Care - Tips to Protect the Beauty of Your Tattoo

2011-06-04T04:21:00.000-07:00

For the freshly inked, Before you start to flaunt it, here are a few essential tips to protect the beauty of your tattoo

It will break your heart if your tattoo doesn’t look as good as it used to be when you got it. You may even end up spending an extravagant sum of money on getting it touched up. It’s essential for a tattoo to look nice once it heals, and if you don’t want to be left with an inky eyesore, Mumbai tattoo artiste Al Alva offers a few important pointers:

CLEANING

A freshly etched tattoo is as good as a wound. The epidermis of the skin reacts to the wound and secretes a transparent fluid to protect germs from entering the body. The surface of the tattooed skin must be cleaned regularly and kept dry. Wet a piece of cloth and dab it on the tattoo to clean any germs, and then moisturise the tattoo with a body lotion.

APPLY OINTMENT

Calendula is a herbal remedy which heals wounds and soothes the skin. Apply a very thin layer of the cream on the tattoo thrice a day. Continue the treatment for the first 15 days.

DON’T GO FOR A SWIM

Take short showers when you bathe. But going for a swim or taking a steam bath will cause your skin to form scabs as a reaction to chlorine and heat respectively. The thicker the scabs, the lighter will the colour of your tattoo be when it heals.

AVOID SWEATING

If you are a health freak, don’t exercise for the first 15 days after you get a tattoo. The salt in your sweat causes the same damage to the tattoo as chlorine or sea water and it forms scabs.

KEEP AWAY FROM THE SUN

Long exposure to the sun could cause the tattoo to get discoloured. Avoid applying sunscreen and wear long sleeves to protect the area.

AVOID SHAVING

Avoid shaving till the tattoo is completely healed as it may cause your skin to peel, and erode the ink within.

NO SCRATCHING

Your tattoo will itch for the first few days, which is a sign of healing. Refrain from scratching. It is possible that by doing so, you may be scratching the ink out even before it settles

Medicinal Values of Tamarind

2011-06-04T04:06:00.001-07:00

Tamarind juice is a mild laxative and can be used to treat bile disorders.

Studies have shown that it can effectively cut on cholesterol levels.

The pulp, leaves and flowers, in various combinations, are applied on painful and swollen joints.

Tamarind juice can be used to cure sore throats, and as a drink for relief from sunstroke.

Tamarind juice is used to cure conjunctivitis, under medical supervision. Eye drops made from tamarind seeds can be used as a treatment for dry eye syndrome. Tamarind seed polysaccharide is an adhesive, which enables it to stick to the surface of the eye.

Mix jaggery with tamarind pulp, cinnamon, cardamom, to make a tasty chutney to tackle loss of appetite.

Sonakshi Sinha Shares Some of Her Beauty Secrets

2011-06-04T03:55:00.000-07:00

‘I buff my lips when they are dry’

SKIN-TILLATING!

I drink loads of water. Water is like a life saviour and does wonders to my skin. I also stay away from makeup when it’s not required. My mother has advised me to remove my make-up completely before I go to bed. I believe in letting my skin breathe.

MANE POINT:

My mom made it a point to oil my hair regularly when I was a child. And the tradition continues.

WOEFUL TEENS:

Like all other teenagers, I too, suffered from bad acne.

NATURALLY SPEAKING:

I do not indulge in any natural therapy. My mother has wonderful skin and I think I have just been lucky to have equally good skin.

QUICK FIX:

I have a problem of dry lips, so I gently buff my lips with a gentle brush and this helps remove the dead skin from my lips.

MUST-HAVE IN THE MAKE-UP KIT:

My lip balm, sunscreen and kohl.

See Health and Fitness as a Necessity, Not as a Chore Says Model Sahil Shroff

2011-05-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

Models don’t have a choice but to look good. So it’s no wonder then that Sahil Shroff takes his fitness very seriously. He shares his workout plan

Working it out

My fitness regime these days is a balance off all kinds of energy systems being tilised in a week along with flexibility and strength training. With regards to cardio, I run once or twice a week and cover 12 kms in each run. I have at least one session of Taekwondo in a week, along with basketball or tennis to fill in the third and fourth day of cardio. I have an alternate day regime for cardio. I don't do body building or weight training anymore, I work a lot on core strength and use my body weight for my exercises. I hit every muscle in different angles using my body weight through push ups, pull ups, lower body exercise and intense band work. I also spend my mornings doing basic yoga breathing exercises and meditation. I keep changing my regime so I don't get bored.

Food for thought

My diet is very balanced. I don't take protein powders as I have a high protein diet. Oats and dry fruits in the morning, fruits in between main meals, lunch has fish and two vegetables with seven grain two rotis along with raw salad. At night, I have two rotis with one vegetable and a high protein dal n a piece of fish maybe. A lot of spinach, eggs, almonds, moong and fish complete my diet plan. I stopped chicken and meat a year ago. Oh yes, I can’t miss my daily cup of coffee and tea.

Tips

For starters, you shouldn’t see health and fitness as a chore, but as a necessity. It will make a difference in your overall health. You should do something that you enjoy doing that will also help you stay fit. Maybe, you could go back to a sport you played in school. Keep your workouts simple and goal oriented. Don't believe what you hear unless you’ve tried it out. The motivation statement is ‘go hard or go home’ (laughs).

Remedies To Remove Sun Tan

2011-05-30T01:51:00.000-07:00

HOW TO REMOVE TAN

While a tan may be attractive for some, for others it's just one of the dreaded hazards of summer. Though most of us douse ourselves with sunscreen before stepping out, a sun tan invariably sets in. Besides, darkening our complexion, it can also cause skin cancer by destroying the skin cells.

For those who are stuck with a stubborn tan, here are some quick fix Methods to Remove Sun Tan and Burns:

- “Apply pure sandalwood paste on your face 10- 15 minutes before you go for a shower. It's very soothing and works wonders for your complexion,” says Asha Hariharan of Beyond the Fringe Salons and Spas.

- Prepare a mixture of besan ( gram flour) and rose water and apply it on the affected area. Leave it till it dries and wash it off with lukewarm water.

- Apply a paste of papaya, cream and sugar on the tanned area before bathing to get rid of the tan.

- Mix the juices of tomato and cucumber and apply it on your face on a daily basis to remove tans.

- “Grate cucumber and strain the juice in a bowl. Add some grated potatoes to it and spread it evenly over your face. This will brighten the skin and erase the tan”

- Mix sugar with the juice of a lemon. Add a little glycerin to it. Scrub the affected area with this mixture in a gentle circular motion. This will help get rid of the tan and soften the skin.

- Take a few teaspoons of hot coconuts oil, add 1 to 2 pieces of camphor and apply to the affected area every night before going to bed. You can also make a paste of sandalwood powder mixed with coconut oil and almond oil. Apply the paste on the exposed area and leave it for some time before washing off with cold water.

- Include items like lettuce, cucumber, radish, broccoli, tomatoes and other leafy vegetables in your diet. They will protect your skin from tanning.

- But the best way to avoid tans, is to use a good sunblock ranging from SPF 15 to 35, depending on the number of hours you spend outdoors.

Say no to tans

􀀗 Use a mixture of lime juice and glycerin. This also helps remove freckles and pigmentation spots
􀀗 Use Aloe Vera gel over a sunburn or a tan
􀀗 Use caladryl if you get skin rash due to sunburn
􀀗 To lighten a tan, use a mixture of curd and lime 10 minutes before bathing. This acts as a natural skin bleaching agent
􀀗 Take 1tsp of milk powder,½ tsp of sandalwood powder, ½ tsp of limejuice and add a few drops of honey. Make a paste and use this pack twice a week for 10 minutes
􀀗 Use of foundation and compact also helps to protect against a tan

I am Into Yoga & I Play Squash Says Kulraj Randhawa

2011-05-30T01:31:00.000-07:00

Kulraj Randhawa made her presence felt when she starred opposite the Deol family in the comedy ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’. she made the audience noticed her dimpled smile and now, she seems to be enjoying every bit of her new found stardom. Here she talks about her Diet and fitness along with few of her favorite things.

Diet mantra

I am blessed with a lean body so I don’t do much. If I put on weight, then I usually lose it easily.

Favourite food

I love food. I am a Punjabi so I love good Punjabi food. I also like Thai cuisine.

Fitness regime

I am into yoga and I’m a very active person otherwise. I play squash. But since I am part of the industry, I have started weight training recently.

Free time and weekends

Weekends are mostly party time. I hang out with friends and also attend events.

Style statement

Fashion is what looks good on your body. Depending on the occasion and time, I wear dresses, gowns, denims, shorts and jumpers.

Favourite vacation spots

Leh and Ladhak. And I want to go to Kerela.

Favourite books

I read a lot of fictional war books.

Favourite movies

I am in the industry so I have to watch films. I love different kind of movies like ‘ThreeMuske teers’, ‘Life Is Beautiful’, Sholay , ‘Black’ and the Munnabhai series.

Favourite music

I mostly listen to classics. Favourite automobile - If I have to name one, it would be Jaguar. As told to Sonal Sher

Shibani Kashyap's Daily Skin and Hair Care Regime

2011-05-28T02:05:00.000-07:00

‘I PREFER A NO MAKE-UP LOOK’ ...says singer Shibani Kashyap

My Daily Skin Care Regime

I like to keep my skin hydrated.Protection from the sun, cleansing of the skin and sleep are very important for a good, glowing skin. My daily skin care regime starts with washing my face with cool water, first thing in the morning. I leave it for at least half an hour and then rinse it off. Trust me, it works like magic on the skin! I always apply a sun block before stepping out of my house. I prefer going in for a no make-up look most of the time. I use make-up only during shoots. To beat the heat, I keep spraying rose water on my face to keep my skin fresh. Before going to bed, I use a light scrub to get rid of the grime, a soap-free facewash, followed by a toner and a light overnight cream to keep my face hydrated through the night. The skin of the entire body needs pampering, so I take a weekly body massage, body scrub and body polish. I believe in loving my skin and taking good care of it.

My Hair Care Regime

Hair they say, is the crowning glory of a woman. A good healthy high-protein diet is a must for healthy bouncy, shiny hair. In summer, I make it a point to wash my hair every alternate day with a good shampoo and conditioner. I avoid getting my hair coloured, highlighted or straightened. I do not like my hair to get subjected to chemicals. I oil my hair regularly with mustard oil and also use an egg pack with curd and honey. They are natural conditioners and leave the hair deeply conditioned.

TEENAGE PROBLEM

As a teenager, I did have pimples but not many. Elders in the family will always ask me to keep my tummy clean. I stayed away from oily food. I still follow that and eat curd. It is rich in protein and keeps you hydrated.

NATURALLY SPEAKING

The best home-made remedy I’ve come across to remove a tan is to apply curd and lime juice on your face and viola, the tan goes instantly. Multani mitti with a pinch of turmeric, honey and water/cold milk is an excellent face pack. For my hair, I massage hot oil on my scalp and keep it overnight. If time permits, I apply curd with a few drops of lime which removes oil and gives great shine to your hair.

QUICK FIX

If you have long hair and if if it is unmanageable for some reason, then just tie them into a ponytail. Keep a bodyspray or perfume handy and a lip gloss for that last minute.

MUST-HAVE IN THE MAKE-UP KIT

Always keep face wash, moisturiser, compact powder, kaajal and light lipstick or lipgloss in your bag.

‘I do 100 Surya Namaskaras’ Says Soha Ali Khan, Who Keeps Fit By Yoga & Badminton When Bored of the Gym

2011-05-28T01:18:00.000-07:00

‘I do 100 Surya Namaskaras’ …says actress Soha Ali Khan, who keeps fit by doing yoga, playing badminton and climbing stairs when she’s bored of the gym

MY EXERCISE REGIME

It’s not fixed as whenever I get bored, I change my form of workout. But then, I keep an active lifestyle, so I can afford to not hit the gym everyday. Usually, I head to the gym for about two weeks, daily for an hour. Since I have always been fit, I don’t stress much on cardio. Moreover, I get bored running on the treadmill. Instead, I prefer doing light weights and sometimes, use the elliptical machine. On the other two weeks of the month, I keep fit by playing badminton, climbing stairs for 20 minutes and doing yoga. I do 100 Suryanamaskaras.

MY WEAKNESS

I think I have this Bengali cheeks. Since I have a petite frame, my cheeks tend to stand out. No matter how much body weight I lose, I can’t lose weight on my cheeks! I have tried doing facial exercises and make funny faces in front of the mirror, but it hasn’t really helped.

MY STRENGTHS

Many people say that I have a flat stomach. I don’t do any crunches or go on diet for it. My upper body is fine, so,I pay more attention to my lower body. I believe I have good arms. Also, I do not have weight issues as my weight has been almost constant, fluctuating from 49 to 50 kgs for the past 15 years.

MY DIET

I’m a non-vegetarian who doesn’t eat red meat. I eat lot of fish and chicken, besides soups, vegetables and fruits like papayas, strawberries, etc. I don’t believe in dieting and have a balanced meal. Also, I’m not one of those people who totally avoid carbs. I have carbs in the form of wholegrains products. But I have two vices: I’m addicted to diet cola and chocolates. I’m not into protein shakes but I do take vitamin supplements for three months, and after a gap of another three months. I do because taking too many vitamins can strain the kidneys.

My fitness role model

I don’t have a fitness role model because everybody has a different body and metabolism. I believe in competing with myself.

Ideal celeb body (male)

If I were a man, I’d like to have a body like Brad Pitt in the movie Fightclub.

Ideal celeb body (female)

Shilpa Shetty and Bipasha Basu have good, well maintained bodies

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The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer, By Siddhartha Mukherjee

2011-05-24T02:49:00.000-07:00

Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘The Emperor of All Maladies’ is a biography of cancer and of those who have fought it throughout history.

The Emperor of All Maladies іѕ a magnificent, profoundly humane “biography” οf cancer—frοm іtѕ first documented appearances thousands οf being ago through thе epic battles іn thе twentieth century tο cure, control, аnd conquer іt tο a radical nеw understanding οf іtѕ essence. Physician, researcher, аnd award-winning science writer, Siddhartha Mukherjee examines cancer wіth a cellular biologist’s precision, a historian’s perspective, аnd a biographer’s passion. Thе result іѕ аn astonishingly lucid аnd moving chronicle οf a disease humans hаνе lived wіth—аnd perished frοm—fοr more thаn five thousand being.

Thе tаlе οf cancer іѕ a tаlе οf human ingenuity, resilience, аnd perseverance, bυt аlѕο οf hubris, paternalism, аnd misperception. Mukherjee recounts centuries οf discoveries, setbacks, victories, аnd deaths, tοld through thе eyes οf hіѕ predecessors аnd peers, training thеіr wits against аn infinitely resourceful adversary thаt, јυѕt three decades ago, wаѕ рlοttіng tο bе easily beaten іn аn аll-out “war against cancer.”

Thе book reads lіkе a literary thriller wіth cancer аѕ thе protagonist. Frοm thе Persian Queen Atossa, whose Greek slave сυt οff hеr malignant breast, tο thе nineteenth-century recipients οf primitive radiation аnd chemotherapy tο Mukherjee’s οwn leukemia patient, Carla, Thе Royal leader οf All Maladies іѕ аbουt thе people whο hаνе soldiered through fiercely demanding regimens іn order tο survive—аnd tο increase ουr understanding οf thіѕ iconic disease. Riveting, urgent, аnd startling, Thе Royal leader οf All Maladies provides a fаѕсіnаtіng glimpse іntο thе prospect οf cancer treatments. It іѕ аn illuminating book thаt provides hope аnd clarity tο those seeking tο demystify cancer.

“In 2010, аbουt six hundred thousand Americans, аnd more thаn 7 million humans around thе world, wіll die οf cancer.” Wіth thіѕ sobering statistic, physician аnd researcher Siddhartha Mukherjee ѕtаrtѕ hіѕ comprehensive аnd moving “biography” οf one οf thе mοѕt virulent diseases οf ουr time. An exhaustive account οf cancer’s origins, Thе Royal leader οf All Maladies illustrates hοw modern treatments–multi-pronged chemotherapy, radiation, аnd surgery, аѕ well аѕ preventative care–came іntο existence thanks tο a century’s value οf research, trials, аnd small, essential breakthroughs around thе globe. Whіlе Thе Emperor οf All Maladies іѕ rich wіth thе science аnd history іn thе rear thе fight against cancer, іt іѕ аlѕο a meditation οn illness, medical ethics, аnd thе complex, intertwining lives οf doctors аnd patients. Mukherjee’s profound compassion–fοr cancer patients, thеіr families, аѕ well аѕ thе oncologists whο, аll tοο οftеn, саn offer small hope–mаkеѕ thіѕ book a very human history οf аn elusive аnd complicated disease.

Mukherjee gives a detailed history of the various attempts at cure, especially during the 20th century when the favoured methods shifted from removal of the entire breast and much surrounding tissue, with doses of radiation which changed over time, to chemotherapy and, more recently, a new understanding of the genetics of cancer.

Mukherjee conveys the emotional burden carried by a cancer specialist whose daily routine brings him close to people who may be about to die.

He once drove an hour and a half through heavy traffic to bring in person the good news that a patient’s bone marrow biopsy had proved free of malignancy. After five years of desperate disease, he could tell Carla Reed she was all clear.

This blood-and-guts volume is brightened by a handsome photograph of the oncologist looking like a Bollywood film star. This book is named by The New York Times as one of the 10 best books of 2010.

In its historical sweep, the book succeeds. It traces the first medical description of cancer to an Egyptian text of 2500BC, which told of “a bulging tumour in breast” and wrote there “is no treatment”. It highlights the ancient Persian queen Atossa who had a slave cut off her cancerous breast with a knife – a self-prescribed mastectomy.

In fact, not until 1890 was radical mastectomy introduced as a standard procedure – and “radical” was the right word: not only the tumour was excised but some deep chest muscles and lymph nodes under the armpit and the collarbone as well.

By the Fifties, the main breast cancer treatment had become simple mastectomy or a more minor lump removal called “lumpectomy”, followed by radiation. Since the Seventies, chemotherapy has become used more than surgery as a way to control tumour growth.

Today the emphasis is on genetics. Some young women who have been found to have one of the two genes now identified as cancer-carriers – BRCA1 and BRCA2 – choose to have bilateral mastectomy to free them from the fear of breast cancer. In future, women may arrive at the oncologist’s clinic with a thumb-sized flash drive containing the entire sequence of their cancer’s genome.

Mukherjee offers no false hope: “No single, universal cure is in sight – and is never likely to be.” Cancer will not disappear but rather in an ageing population will occur later and later in life, with new treatments enabling victims to live longer. “This war on cancer,” he concludes, “may best be ‘won’ by redefining victory.”

"Rarely have the science and poetry of illness been so elegantly braided together as they are in this erudite, engrossing, kind book."

You Can also Buy "The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer" From Amazon.com For $17.40 - Click Here>>

Simple Tips to Control Body Odour and Keep it at Bay

2011-05-23T02:45:00.000-07:00

BODY odour can be the most embarrassing malady of the season. Below are a couple of simple tips to keep it at bay:

Drinking plenty of water and fresh vegetable juices can reduce sweating and hydrate the body.

If you are prone to body odour, a shower twice a day should help.
What is important is that you bathe after working out, exercising or coming home from a sweaty day. Also, make sure you wash your sweaty clothes regularly.

The underarms tend to accumulate more sweat so make sure you shave or wax regularly. The same goes for the genital region that tends to produce more sweat.

Smelly feet can drive anyone up the wall. So change socks daily. Fabrics like cotton and linen are better at soaking in sweat than other fabrics.

Deodorants do help to mask body odour, but because they cause the skin pores to clog, you can’t be using a deo every three hours. Wash yourself at regular intervals. You can even keep wet wipes handy.

Adding lots of fibre to your body helps clear the trash away. So include as many raw veggies, unpeeled fruits and vegetables, unpolished rice, whole grains and salads in your diet. The more toxins get flushed out of your body, the lesser smells there'll be left for others to have to put up with!

Health Benefits of Mint

2011-05-23T01:43:00.000-07:00

The magic of mint: We love the mint leaves in our kababs and our mocktails, and its not without a reason. Mint leaves along with their lovely fragrance also have a number of health benefits that are stated below

Aids in digestion

Mint is a good appetizer. The smell of mint activates the salivary glands that produce digestive enzymes. This helps us in digestion.

Nausea and headache

When you feel nauseous try some mint to drive away that feeling. Smell the aroma of mint oil or fresh mint leaves in order to decrease nausea. If you are having a headache try applying some mint oil.

Reduces congestion

The smell of fresh mint is very effective for respiratory congestion as it opens up nose, throat, and lungs. Mint flavour can also help to overcome cough.

Helps breathe easy

If asthma patients use mint regularly it can provide relaxation, and help relieve breathing.

Gives you skin sheen

Mint juice is great when used as face masks. In addition to the skin, infections, rashes, and acne can also be cured by it. Mint can also heal mosquito bites.

For your smile

Mint leaves helps overcome bacteria and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, no wonder your mouth breathes fresh when you use it regularly.

Fights cancer

According to recent studies, some enzymes contained in the mint leaves can help fight cancer cells.

Simple Remedies For You

.. Dried mint leaves, boiled in water, form a strong concoction that helps in soothing the digestive tract and easing the severity of stomach aches.

.. Drinking herbal mint tea reduces irritated bowel syndromes and cleanses the stomach.

.. Crushed mint leaves helps in whitening teeth.

.. Inhaling mint gives relief from congestion problems, like sinus infections and common cold.

.. Due to the presence of essential oil called menthol, mint finds its usage in preparing a variety of cosmetics and perfumes.

Amit Tandon Does More Cardio to To Combat Tendency to Bulk Up

2011-05-22T23:57:00.000-07:00

‘I have a natural tendency to bulk up’

MY EXERCISE REGIME

I work out religiously through the week. I do a lot of weight training. I work out for a maximum of two hours in the gym, out of which I spend one hour on the treadmill. I focus on a different body part each day, like legs, shoulders, chest and so on. Twice a week, I practise martial arts and American boxing.

MY PROBLEM AREAS

I have a tendency to bulk up a lot. My trainer has advised me to do more cardio to solve this issue. I also do spinning. Honestly, I do not like to look too bulky and want my body to look proportionately balanced. I tend to put on weight easily and so I want to lower my weight, which often fluctuates.

MY STRENGTHS

I have good will power, stamina, strength and I’m very competitive. If I see someone doing heavy weights in the gym, I try to out do that person by doing heavier weights and more repetitions.

MY DIET

I’m a Punjabi and that automatically makes me a big foodie. I’m a non-vegetarian and eat a lot of chicken and egg whites. I have protein shakes twice a day. I have a major sweet tooth. As a kid, I used to eat a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Even now, I need to have at least one sandwich a day. That’s the only thing that makes me cheat on my diet.

Fitness role model:

Salman Khan because he has a well-balanced physique and has maintained it for years.

Ideal celeb body (male):
Hugh Jackman’s body in Wolverine and Gerard Butler’s body in 300.

Ideal celeb body (female):
Kim Kardashian

Tips For Stress Relief/De-Stress

2011-05-09T02:05:00.000-07:00

STRESS is synonymous with modern life. Too much of it wrecks our health and robs us of our personal happiness.

Here are some tips to combat stress: ..

Exercise and Meditate

Run, do some yoga, punch a bag at the gym, that's important. Your hormones need a bit of loosening up. The muscles need to begin working again. Exercise is a way to manage stress that doesn’t have to add to your financial woes. A 20-minute walk or jog around your block can yield up to 12 hours of improved mood. The main thing is to find a physical activity that you enjoy, whether it’s dancing or fly fishing. Practice deep breathing and meditation exercises daily, and when you feel tension rising.

If you like massages, go for them.

Stress often manifests in the form of physical ailments, aches, pains, etc.

Massages are a good for the physical body and also, mentally, it relaxes your frayed nerves.

Consciously incorporate some laughter into your daily regime.

Whether it is in the form of jokes, films, comic strips, comedy shows, a funny friend, treat this as part of an imaginary doctor's prescription. Laughter really is the best medicine. It is proven to lower tension, and at the same time, improves blood flow and the health of your heart. Rent a funny movie or hang out with that wannabe-comedian pal, and forget about your worries for a while

Socialize and Mingle with people.

When you are with people, troubles start feeling less burdensome. You begin to get a sense of what everyone else is living with and automatically lighten up.
Spending time with friends and family who give you a sense of belonging, purpose, and fun may provide all the stress relief you need.

Join a fun class.

It should be something that you enjoy - dancing, yoga, pottery, a book reading club… something that takes you away from the bigger events of the day that are a continuous source of stress, something you can actually label as ' me' time.

Prioritizing healthy eating, physical activity, relationships, and sleep is necessary if you want to avoid making your stress worse.

Neha Desai's Diet and Exercise Regime

2011-05-08T23:09:00.000-07:00

TV ACTOR NEHA DESAI who has been seen in a number of TV serials is very particular about her fitness. She loves to workout in the gym whenever she has free time at hand.

She shares her fitness regime:

Gym gyaan

I have been working out rigorously for the past five years or so. I hit the gym at least five days a week. I train specific body parts like chest, shoulders, triceps, back and biceps, legs, abs on different days. As I am already slim, I don’t need any cardio workout.

Also it’s easier to tone my muscles, which is what I concentrate on.

Weighty issue

Genetically, I am quite thin.But since I have a high metabolic rate, I have to balance my workout with my daily food intake. Also, my weight has been stable throughout. I don’t have a tendency to put on kilos. If I don’t work out regularly, I tend to lose weight.

So, I need to exercise to stay healthy.

My diet Regime

I start my morning with a huge glass of warm water, followed by tea with ginger ( I do not compromise on my first tea for the day).

It is followed with a heavy breakfast, which could be a brown bread sandwich ( with lettuce, cucumber, cheese) or Poha / Upma, oats or fruits on somedays with protein shake.

Lunch is normally roti, sabzi, dal and achaar.

In the evenings, I have a protein bar or fruits or Maggie.

My dinner is similar to my lunch.

I drink around three litres of water every day. I try to drink as much water as I can. It's good for my skin and keeps my body hydrated.

Chilling out

I love listening to music. I always have my music on me.

It helps me cut off from people whenever I want to and be in my own zone. Reading novels, watching films and chilling out with my friends also helps me unwind.

Sometimes, just a drive is enough to end the day on a good note.

Causes For Memory Loss and 5 Tips to 'Remember'

2011-05-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

Just two weeks ago, you forgot your cell phone in a taxi, only to repeat the same thing again last week. The only difference is that this time it was with your wallet. You are not alone! A recent study by the Hokkaido University of Japan, conducted on 150 volunteers between the ages of 20 and 35, found that one in 10 young people are suffering from severe memory loss.

Another study on women under 30, estimates that a third of women cannot remember their own phone number, leave alone the birthdays of as few as three close relatives. Are we running out of memory space? Neurology specialist Dr Vinay Chauhan says that the tendency for forgetfulness at a younger age is a growing cause for alarm. "It is important to focus on the cause for memory loss in young people, because more often than not it is not an actual brain dysfunction like Alzheimer's, but an environmental or chemical imbalance in the patient's life. Once identified, these causes can usually be treated," he says.

Causes for the early onset of memory loss range from stress to depression, a condition more common in women, to thyroid imbalances and even deficiencies in Vitamins B-12 and B-6. B-12 and B-6 are essential in getting neurotransmitters in our brains to remember things. Neurologist and specialist in memory loss Dr Anu Aggarwal says, "Memory loss is especially high in Mumbai, where gadgets are replacing our memories and young people are multi-tasking at extraordinarily high levels. Our brains are simply not equipped for such an overload."

She stresses the importance of diagnosis and treatment to overrule the possibility of serious long-term condition, including Alzheimer's disease and Dementia, whose likelihood increases with age. Talking to next of kin or a close friend is vital to understanding the gravity of the problem since people tend to either over or underestimate their own forgetfulness. One surefire indication that you (or someone you know), is suffering from a real problem is when your forgetfulness starts to impact your life or aspects of it.

The silver lining is that is that provided the 'memory loss' is an offshoot of the stress of living and working in the city, it is treatable. Dr Chauhan cites the case study of a 45-year old woman, who was suffering from severe memory loss and behavioural changes. While all signs seemed to point towards the early onset of Alzheimer's, tests revealed the cause to be Hashimoto's Encephalopathy disorder, a very rare hypo-thyroid condition.

Post treatment, she returned to a complete state of normalcy. Adequate quality sleep is one of the best ways to combat potential memory loss. Sleep helps the body to consolidate memory, playing an extremely important role in brain function. So, the next time you find yourself struggling to remember things, the best advice might just be to, sleep on it!

5 Tips to 'remember'

1 Exercise. Regular (and preferably daily) exercise results in increased blood flow to the brain. It also puts you in a state of relaxation, which is important for the memory to function.

2 'Me' time counts. Setting aside recreational time for oneself every day is important, as it helps slow down the pace of an otherwise frenzied day.

3 Eat healthy. A healthy balanced diet, which includes a good dose of vitamin B-12 (found in animal products like meat, poultry, eggs and milk products) is good. Vegetarians, who are more prone to this deficiency, can opt for B-12 supplements.

4 Stick to a routine. A regular daily schedule combined with a good night's sleep (at a regulated time), helps regularise a body clock.

5 Avoid addictions in any form, as they increase the chances of memory dysfunction.

Diet is the Key Says Mahaakshay Chakraborty as He Reveals His Fitness Secrets

2011-05-04T04:37:00.000-07:00

Mahaakshay Chakraborty talks about his fitness regime and Diet

Mahakshay Chakraborty

MY EXERCISE REGIMEN

My exercise regimen is very intense. I do Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) thrice a week for 90 minutes. I don’t do weights anymore, but concentrate on cardio — whether it’s running 5 km a day, dancing, swimming or squash. I
also do the ‘Insanity’ workout which is cardio to the extreme! And I play a lot of cardio games too.

MY DIET

Of course, diet is key! In fact, I believe that diet is everything! I count even the air that I breathe. Because of my intense training, I make sure I eat the right amount of nutrients. Everything is balanced. But I don’t take supplements. I only take a multi-vitamin. I eat everything under the roof but in moderation. Just enough for the body to absorb and to use.

MY PROBLEM AREAS

Since I’ve been doing MMA I have moved my shoulder tendons on more than one occasion so my shoulders are loose. My lower back pains from time to time and so do my muscles tendons below my right thigh. But I take the pain because I love MMA!

MY STRENGTHS

My strength is my mind because pain is weakness leaving the body. The mind has the ultimate power and in MMA, the mind has to be stronger than the body because you get punched and kicked a lot.

How Anushka Sharma Stays Fit

2011-05-03T04:48:00.000-07:00

FIRST THING on my mind when I wake up…
My schedule for the day...

I’m always in TWO MINDS about…
Whether to comment or not to.

THIRD-TIME lucky (something I tried thrice)
Touch wood! I have been very lucky with the kind of films I’m doing…

FOURplay (my all-time favourite songs to work out to)
I don’t have any, as the tempo of my workout drives the music I play.

Gimme 5! (My 5 workout essentials)
I do weight training four times a week to tone my body. Eating right and healthy is a very important part of my wellness routine (Check out Anushka's Wholesome Diet). Yoga is a recent addition to my workout, as it rejuvenates my mind, and gives my skin that inner glow. Sufficient rest is also important for the body to recuperate.

6 am (what I’m most likely to be doing at the time)
Sleeping, unless I have work.

7 days a week (I can’t live without!)
Yoga!

8 and 8 (my favourite guilty indulgence)
My mom’s momos and butter chicken. For Anushka's Recipe of Momo Click here >>

On cloud 9 (my favourite ways to de-stress)
I always have such a stressful schedule that I really appreciate the simple, relaxed things in life, like gossiping with my mom while she gives me a nice head massage, or lunching with my girlfriends.

LAST THING I do before tucking in…
Wash my face and a champi with coconut oil.

Diet: Have a Rainbow On Your Plate

2011-05-03T04:31:00.000-07:00

Staying younger longer is a wholistic process that has its roots in sound nutrition. Even if you are keeping your weight in check, you still need to ensure that you are eating the right foods to ensure you’re getting adequate nutrients from your diet. A good way to ensure this is to incorporate lots of bright colours on to your plate: greens, yellows, reds and even purple ( brinjal is a great “ super” food, bursting with antioxidants).

Eating foods rich in antioxidants ( almonds, sweet potatoes) and “ fat- burning foods” or complex carbohydrates, including fresh fruits and veggies go a long way in making you look younger and feeling fabulous, since metabolism slows down with ageing, and as a result the body burns fewer calories.

Experts advise steering clear of processed foods, which are foods that have been altered from their natural state, either for convenience or safety reasons. Examples include foods that have been canned, frozen, dehydrated and even refrigerated. These include chips, cookie, breakfast cereals, pastas made with refined white flour and processed meats.

A good way to avoid bingeing is to opt for ‘ natural appetite suppressants’ before a meal.

Tips include drinking two glasses of water at least half an hour before a meal, eating fibre- rich foods ( lentils, wholewheat pasta, lentils), eating fresh salads and soups.

Eating slowly also goes a long way, as does portion control: Understanding portion size and approximate calories per recommended serving.

Ranbir Kapoor’s Workouts and Diet Plans

2011-04-25T04:17:00.000-07:00

Ranbir Kapoor has personal trainer Pradeep Bhatia to thank for his physique. Bhatia has been training RK for three years now and was introduced to the star by his mom, Neetu Singh whom he trained for a while.

Ranbir Kapoor With His Trainer Pradeep Bhatia

Special needs

“Ranbir has no time to visit a gym regularly due to his erratic shooting hours. He was looking for a personal trainer who can be with him on a full time basis.” Pradeep travels to all the actor’s shoots and makes sure he doesn’t miss his workouts and eats right.

Details

Ranbir Kapoor works out at Sanjay Dutt’s gym six days a week for about 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes. Pradeep offers details about the actor’s workouts. “ Ranbir does hardcore gymming and isn’t too fond of swimming or yoga. He likes working on his chest and back but cringes when he has to work on his legs as he finds it painful. He likes to listen to music while working out.

DAILY WORKOUT

Includes a cardio for five to 10 minutes to warm up. Ranbir concentrates on different body parts — chest and back, shoulder and legs, biceps — on different days. He also does kickboxing once in a while.

DIET PLAN

Pradeep calls Ranbir “a foodie” but with “less appetite”. He keeps a close watch on Ranbir’s diet and has given him the following diet chart.

BREAKFAST: Milk with cornflakes and a banana/Egg white omelette and brown bread toast with a glass of fresh juice. Black/espresso coffee.

LUNCH: Tandoori chicken with daal and two chapaatis.

DINNER: Grilled salmon, fish, and chicken.

ON THE SETS: Fruits and juices, green tea and Darjeeling tea.

SUPPLEMENTS: Multi- vitamins and whey protein shakes twice a day — after workouts and after dinner.

WEAKNESSES: A weakness for a soft drink he endorses. A slice of cake, every now and then.

OTHER STAR CLIENTS

Pradeep who recently opened a gym at Vikhroli has also trained host of stars like Katrina Kaif, Arjun Rampal, Lara Dutta, Anil Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh.

The Smart Way to Manage Diabetes

2011-04-24T04:08:00.000-07:00

Arecent theory on thrifty genes (genes that help store fat) suggests that a large section of individuals have an evolutionary adaptation that may not adjust to modern lifestyle. Which means that their genes may be contributing to the excessive storage of calories and may actually be responsible for lifestyle diseases such as diabetes.

Of course, with less or no physical activity thanks to a sedentary lifestyle and a proclivity for high-fat-and-cholesterol food, the risk of developing diabetes becomes even higher. Which is why a healthy diet plays an important role in keeping diabetes under check.

Good nutrition

Complex carbohydrates:
People with diabetes need to know which type of carbohydrate they can consume. Complex carbohydrates take longer to be broken down into glucose. Complex carbohydrates are considered to be good energy sources. For instance, whole-wheat chapatis or whole grain breads, whole-wheat pasta, ragi, brown rice, beans, oats and greens.

Dietary fibre:
Dietary fibre, particularly soluble fibre like beta glucan, helps to slow the absorption of sugar and keeps blood sugar from rising rapidly. Doctors recommend that 20-30 per cent of one’s daily fibre intake should come from soluble fibre. Rich sources of dietary fibre include whole grains, oat bran, ragi , brown rice and legumes.

Protein:
This is the quintessential nutrient for people with diabetes. Doctors suggest that protein should make up 12-20 percent of a diabetic’s daily diet.

Trans fats:
They are produced as a result of hydrogenation of vegetable oils. The unchecked use of saturated and trans-fatty acids increases bad cholesterol and causes arteriosclerosis. A person with diabetes must keep the amount of saturated fat and trans fats in his/her diet to a minimum.

For Information on Diabetes Testing Equipment and Pills Click Here >>

Women and the Weight Loss Tamasha‎ By Rujuta Divekar (Kareena's Dietician)

2011-03-10T08:31:00.000-08:00

Women & The Weight Loss Tamasha is penned by Rujuta Diwekar. The author is Kareena Kapoor's dietician.

Kareena Kapoor Says “For a long time, I used to think that diets were all about starving and punishing yourself. And I wasn’t alone… Then I met Rujuta. She totally changed my perception about diets and dieting. First, she told me it wasn’t about starving but about eating well, eating right and eating regularly. I said, ‘I’m a Kapoor, I love my parathas, paneer, cheese.’ Rujuta replied, ‘You can go right ahead and eat all of that and more.’ I was like, cool, when can we start?”
"Women and the Weight Loss Tamasha‎" - BUY NOW for only Rs 130 (Cash on Delivery) >>

Kareena Kapoor talks about 'Women and the Weight Loss Tamasha'‎ at the book launch.

The book will deal with on issues like food and everything, related to a woman’s health starting from puberty to marriage to pregnancy and then menopause. Bebo has been part of the entire process of bringing the book in front of the readers

Bebo has earlier launched Rujuta’s book titled ‘Don’t Lose Your Mind, Lose Your Weight’ (Details Here >>). For the latest 'Women and the Weight Loss Tamasha‎', Kareena has also given her voice for the narration of the complementary audio-book, which will be offered with the main book.

Buy it From flipkart.com for only Rs 130/- CLICK HERE >>

(OR)

Buy "Women and the Weight Loss Tamasha‎" From Amazon.com for $10

The Full Plate Diet: Slim Down, Look Great, Be Healthy!

2011-03-10T05:15:00.000-08:00

Slim Down, Look Great, Be Healthy - The Full Plate Diet is based on eating foods our Moms said we should eat - fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans & peas, and nuts & seeds. You can eat meat - just follow Mom's advice.

Big health payoffs include heart health, cancer fighting, diabetes friendly, more energy, and long life. Lots of medical research backing The Full Plate Diet. You can begin the diet without making a lot of changes

You can stay on this diet because you won't feel deprived - won't have to eat tiny portions. You get started by making small changes, not big ones. No hassle - you don't have to count calories, you can shop at your regular grocery store, and spend less on food.

The book includes:

- Favorite Recipes of the authors, Dr. Seale, Dr. Sherard and Dr. Fleming tell us their faves – dishes that are fascinating, tasty, easy and fun.
- Fiber Wheels – a new invention to help you create your own fiber dishes quickly
- Recommended Products you can buy off the shelf.
- Shopping Guide – a handy pullout of the top 55 fiber foods
- More checklists & reminder tips to inspire you
- More fun quotes to make you smile
- More Fun Facts about Food – charming and informative
- A Durable Hard Cover that lays flat like a cookbook. It folds 360 degrees and takes up less space.

The Full Plate Diet: Slim Down, Look Great, Be Healthy! is available for $13.57 at amazon.com - Click Here to Buy Now >>

Here's How Sonakshi Sinha Dropped Her Weight From 90 to 60 kilos

2011-02-01T09:43:00.000-08:00

There was a time when the Dabangg actress Sonakshi Sinha weighed 90 kilos and perhaps the people closest to her never imagined that she would become a star, although destiny dictated otherwise. Here's how Sonakshi dropped all the extra weight to be catapulted to fame with her grand entry to B-Town in Dabangg, opposite Salman Khan.

What few know is the effort it took for her to light up the big screen. A few years ago, at 90 kgs Sonakshi was more than just overweight. While studying fashion designing, however, she realised that she needed to lose at least one-third of her weight, not just to look good but also to feel healthy.

Here's the routine Sonakshi started on in her bid to drop the excess baggage:

- She began visiting the gym twice a day.
- She started on a high protein diet.
- She cut back on her carbohydrate consumption.
- She experienced immense benefits from spinning.
- She included weight training in her regular fitness regime, working at it four to five times a week.

Here's the lowdown on the actress' present routine:

- She takes small meals every three hours to keep her energy levels high.
- She has been performing hot yoga to tone her body -- working on various postures in a steamed room where the temperature is 40 degrees C.
- She loves the company of other individuals during a workout session.
- She shows preference for yoga over aerobics.
- She often takes pleasure in playing tennis.

Sonakshi suggests that one stop eating carbs after six in the evening. She also supports the idea of drinking several cups of green tea daily.

The actress revealed that she did not have to look back after she lost 30 kgs. She got enough guidance and health tips from one of the fittest heroes of the industry, Salman Khan. With her great looks and a perfect body, she is the new darling of Bollywood and India.

Kareena Kapoor's Diet Plan By Dietician Rujuta Divekar For Her Look in Ra.One

2011-01-24T01:58:00.000-08:00

Kareena's 3 diets for her new look in Ra.One: Kareena Kapoor followed 3 different diet plans (drawn up by dietician Rujuta Divekar) for her look in Chammak Challo, a Ra.One song she recently shot for.

Reveals Rujuta, "It was a jam-packed schedule. Kareena had left for Las Vegas on a 21-day shoot for Short Term Shaadi. On her return, she had to shoot for Ra.One's Chammak Challo, where she had to fit in to this sexy white dress.

To attain that perfect figure, we had a Mumbai diet charted out on her return to the city, one for her stay in LV another for her 24-hour flight from Mumbai to Las Vegas via London and then back again to Mumbai after the shoot ended. She lost five kilos for the Ra.One song but still ended up loking fit and fabulous."

The dietician, who is used to planning controlled diets for Kareena admits that the different diets were difficult to plan out especially the one in Vegas. "We had two diets in place one for 10 days and one for the nights. It was very tough to find the right food in Vegas as they were shooting outside.

At 4 am she would have milk shakes or milk - food that was light but enough to sustain the cold and feel enthusiastic about working."

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A scene where Bebo had to eat several pancakes topped with maple syrup for a particular scene in STS during the Vegas shoot, had Rujuta worried.

"We managed to see that she ate on time. I wasn't travelling with her but was constantly in touch on the BlackBerry Messenger.

We had made diet plans when she boarded the flight. She told me the breaks she would be taking along the Mumbai-London-Las Vegas route.

There's a chef at the UK lounge, who is a huge fan of Kareena's and when she travels, she asks him to pack dabbas for her. It was quite a tough thing to plan but Kareena managed everything perfectly."

Rujuta adds, "On the Ra.One song shoot, I gave Kareena makhaana (lotus seeds) to eat as they are very nutritious and rich in minerals. She'd eat them roasted in ghee flavoured with pepper and salt. Even Shah Rukh liked it and would eat with her."

Kareena's Las Vegas diet (all vegetarian)
Morning bananas, cereals and milk
Afternoon a slice of cheese
Dinner
Pizzas
Pasta
Risotto and rice
Soups like tomato

Flight diet
Parathas
Daal and rice daal
Banana
Lots of water
Walnuts and other dry fruits for Vitamin E as the pressure in plane makes skin look pale and dry

Mumbai diet on the sets of Ra.One
Parathas
Puris
Pulao with raita at night
Makhaana (lotus seed)
Grilled vegetable sandwich
Early dinner of rice and dahi

12 Steps to Superstar Fitness

2011-01-24T00:55:00.000-08:00

That's right! The Surya Namaskara can take you from flab to fab. Here's all you need to know about the 12-set sequence of yoga asanas that can tone your body and free your mind

For those of us who complain about not having enough time to squeeze in a daily exercise regime, the surya namaskara or sun salutation could prove the solution. The sequence comprises twelve Hatha yoga asanas designed to stretch the entire body.

The result is an increase in flexibility, strength, and a boost to immunity. The best part is that it takes just 12 minutes to do twelve rounds of the exercise.

If each asana in the 12-set sequence is done with complete breath awareness, then it works every part of the body. Yogacharya, Shameem Akhtar, trained with the international Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, says, "The arms get toned in the inverted V pose, the legs in all the standing poses. The waist gets slimmer by arching well and deeply in the crescent pose." It exercise also works the thighs, shoulders and back.

Internal massage

The benefits of doing the surya namaskara are deeper, compared to other forms of exercises. It aids overall well-being. "It massages the important glands -- the liver (in the ashtanga namaskara pose), stress glands and kidneys.

In the forward bend, it encourages blood flow to the brain, and therefore makes hair lush and keeps the face looking fresh and young, while tweaking master glands in the brain so that the body's thermostat is set at its healthy best," adds Shameem.

Practice makes perfect

"It is important to learn the technique well before you start pushing yourself to do more rounds. If wrongly done, it can cause cramps or pain in the back or spine. The number of namaskaras that should be done depends on an individual's current fitness level and flexibility," says yoga instructor Harushith Kumble.

Surya namaskara is a great energy booster, and is therefore best done in the morning. Though, if one is pressed for time, it can be done any time of day. It is advisable not to do the surya namaskara close to bedtime, as it could interfere with one's sleep.

The Ideal workout

According to Shameem, the ideal routine (even when you're pressed for time) should include a six surya namaskaras set (five minutes), six asanas (including inversions, twists and arm balancers, which would take another five to ten minutes), pranayama practice (like anulom vilom, a few rounds of which would take ten minutes) and the final relaxation/meditation (five minutes with breath awareness) is best. An ideal set would be 12, covering the right and left legs in one set, adding up to a total of 24 rounds.

"Cardiovascular exercise and weight training complement each other. While running on the treadmill, you exercise your legs, increase heart rate and there are a pattern of similar muscle contractions. In surya namaskara, muscle contractions are on a deeper level and it also improves flexibility, stability and strength, as it includes a variety of movements in different directions," says fitness expert Madhuri Ruia.

As it works on most muscles and organs and improves immunity, surya namaskara helps combat several diseases, including stomach ailments and spinal problems. But in certain health complications, including high blood pressure, it must be taught in a phased manner.

According to some yoga institutes surya namaskaras can delay puberty in children, enabling the child's body and mind to mature together.

This is how they did it

Discipline is key

Kareena Kapoor got her size zero look after doing 50 surya namaskaras in one session accompanied by 1,000 kapalbhartis to get in shape for Tashan.

Her diet included snacks every three hours accompanied with nuts and milk for energy, green vegetables and one slice of cheese. No rice or chapattis for this girl! Kareena Kapoor's Diet Chart - Click Here

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Slow and steady does it

Rani Mukherji started with 5 to 10 surya namaskaras as she had weak nerves and would suffer from cramps. Slowly, she got to over 50 surya namaskaras and 1,000 repetitions of kapalbharti (accompanied by simple cardio exercise). She lost eight kilos in 10 months to achieve her svelte avtaar in Dil Bole Hadippa.

Persistence pays

Neha Dhupia has been doing the surya namaskara for four years. She combines yoga with cardio either in the gym or 50 minutes of running. She has switched to a macrobiotic diet, eating organic foods and whole grains, and has cut out dairy.

Below is an explaination of how surya namaskara is performed in 12 easy steps
For videos and images of how to perform the Surya Namaskar Click here >>

>>Stand erect feet together and palms joined in the centre of the chest in a namaskaras and inhale. Next, exhale and push hands down straightening and lowering the arms until the elbows touch the sides.

>>Breathe in deeply and raise the arms above the head and extend the spine backwards arching the back from the waist. Let the eyes follow the hands while relaxing your neck and keeping hands straight.

>>Exhale, bend forward from the waist and place the hands on the floor besides each foot. Knees should remain straight. Relax with your head and neck in a bending pose. Breathe out completely. If you cannot touch the ground, then let your hands go only as far as they can.

>>Inhale and put your weight on the hands, stretch the right leg behind and rest it on toes. Bend the knee and place it on the floor with your weight on the left foot and arch the spine backward. Lift the head and neck first up and then back. Roll the eyes up. The left foot does not move.

>>Exhale and bring the left foot back in line with the right. Lift the hips up high like a mountain. Push the heels and head down and look at the toes with the head down between the arms.

>>Put the knees down first and then bring the chest down. See that eight parts of the body are touching the floor including two feet, two knees, two hands, the chest and the chin or forehead. Make sure the hips are slightly raised above the ground. Inhale and exhale in this position. Keep the feet together.

>>Lower the abdomen and pelvis to the floor. Inhale and stretch the toes on the floor. Raise your head slowly up, arch the spine and neck and look up. Keep your legs together and the elbows alongside the body slightly bent and keep the shoulders down.

>>Exhale and wiggle your toes forward allowing your feet to rest on the soles while you raise the hips as you did in number 5.

>>Inhale and bring the right foot forward and come into pose number 4 as earlier, but with the leg positions reversed.

>>Exhale and bring the right foot forward (same as pose 3).

>>Inhale and stretch up in a standing pose with your arms up and bend backwards (same as pose 2).

>>Exhale and stand erect bringing the hands back to the centre of the chest with palms together.

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Videos: Sonam Kapoor Makeup Tips, Sonam's Lessons On How to Apply Make-Up

2011-01-23T22:30:00.000-08:00

Sonam Kapoor for L'Oreal Makeup: L’Oreal Paris has released 3 videos where style icon Sonam Kapoor dishes on her essential makeup items for the day, how to get her AM to PM look as well as working in brighter colours to get a more festive look.

What are the absolute essentials in your make up box? Sonam Kapoor shows you what to carry with you at all times so you stay gorgeous all day long.

Transform your makeup from day to night in a matter of minutes. Watch Sonam Kapoor share her makeup tricks and easy tips to stay gorgeous every single day.

It's celebration time in India and the festivities are round the corner. Let Sonam Kapoor tell you how to work bright colours into your makeup routine for festive months.

To Buy Loreal Paris Products Online - Click Here >>

Malaika Arora Khan's Diet Chart and Health Tips

2011-01-07T04:58:00.000-08:00

Malaika Arora Khan Gives Diet and Health Tips

MALAIKA'S DIET CHART

MORNING: One glass of warm water with honey and lime and then One litre of warm water

BREAKFAST: One small bowl of seasonal fruit Idli or poha or upma or porridge

12 NOON: A glass of vegetable juice with amla, One egg white with two brown toasts

LUNCH: Brown or red Goa rice, 2- 3 vegetables, Chicken or fish and One bowl of sprouts as salad

4 PM: Idli or poha or upma or one peanut butter sandwich

DINNER: (have latest by 8 pm) Soups or salad. A light meal but no lentils (daals).

NIGHT: If hungry have an orange or carrots or any seasonal fruits or dry fruits like figs, almonds and apricots.

MALAIKA'S HEALTH TIPS

>> Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dine like a pauper
>> NO carbohydrates at night
>> Don’t starve — eat healthy and everything but in moderation.
>> Avoid fried foods. Have a diet for the week and binge on Sundays
>> Cook everything in extra virgin olive oil
>> Have plenty of carbs through the day like sweet potatoes, potatoes and brown bread. Have potatoes in their jackets — roasted.
>> If you eat healthy, you will go a long way

Malaika Arora Khan Takes to Yoga Asanas

2011-01-07T02:58:00.000-08:00

Malaika Arora Khan Does yoga 3 times a week, Plans on Writing a Book on Health and Fitness.

Kareena Kapoor has led many of her friends to follow yoga. Malaika Arora Khan is the latest to be added to the list that includes the likes of Saif Ali Khan, Tusshar Kapoor and Amrita Arora Ladhak.

Says Malaika, “ I have been learning yoga for some time. Kareena and Amu (Amrita Arora) introduced me to it. Payal Gidwani has been training me. I do yoga thrice a week at home with Payal’s girl, alternating it between gym and pilates. Now I really look forward to my sessions with Kareena and Amu. We are yoga junkies.”

Malaika Arora Khan Meditates and Does Yoga Thrice a Week

While Malaika has been introduced to asanas by Kareena, Malaika’s husband Arbaaz has been a ‘ yoga junkie’ for many years.“ Arbaaz is into rituals and holistic healing like yoga and vipassana but stopped completely for more than a year.Once he became a producer with Dabangg, he got caught up in pre and post-production work and stopped doing it completely. I have been asking him to start doing it again.” Besides doing yoga thrice a week for an hour Malaika also works out thrice a week. “ I am mostly into weight- training with my trainer when at the gym.” The yummy mummy is planning to bring out a book on healthy food habits and workouts.

“ I love talking about healthy food, home- made remedies and giving health tips. So yes, I have been thinking about writing a book on how to have a sexy body without starving yourself.”

Malaika Arora Khan Performs Her Routine Yoga Asanas

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Shilpa Shetty S2 EDT Perfume

2010-12-05T00:08:00.000-08:00

Shilpa Shetty's fragrance is called S2 (aka S squared). Shilpa Shetty S2 is a “semi amber floral” fragrance, and features notes of mandarin, bergamot, peach, cyclamen, jasmine, sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla and musk. Heart notes of jasmine, sandalwood, vetiver and patchouli. Base notes of musk and vanilla. It is available in 100 ml Eau de Toilette, and the bottle comes with a phone charm decorated with Swarovski crystals.

S2 is a refined, dignified, elegant and subtle fragrance which reflects Shilpa Shetty's key values. "A scent that comes from my heart and is strongly based around jasmine" says Shilpa.

Occasion: Perfect Anytime
Scent: Floral Oriental (soft, spicy, sweet)
Gender: Female

Perfume creator Mark Earnshaw says “Shilpa worked with us on the perfume and it contains all the notes that she's grown up loving. “It's got jasmine and musk but also fruit scents in it so it reflects her Indian heritage and will also appeal to the modern European market.”

Bipasha Basu Shares Her Healthy Living Fundas

2010-11-26T03:45:00.000-08:00

"No size zero for me, Curves are hotter than a flat body," says sexy siren Bipasha Basu. Riding high on the success of her fitness video (Get Details Here >>), this Bollywood diva is marching ahead with her message of healthy living. Bips speaks to CS about holistic living and why size zero is a no-no:

Whole and soul
We live in an age where we make too many demands from ourselves. All of us want fabulous careers, great relationships and a jet-set lifestyle, but the quest for all these things takes a toll on you. At times, we are very harsh on ourselves. I want to tell people to accept themselves as they are, and enhance their strengths. And staying in good health is one of the basics to a successful fulfilling life.

No shortcuts here
I feel very sad when I hear that young girls are opting for fad diets or blindly crash dieting. Just spending hours at the gym doesn't guarantee you complete fitness. A fit body is one that goes beyond biceps. You need to eat healthy, workout properly and be happy to achieve complete fitness. I see so many young girls who look so worn out just because of an improper diet and crazy workouts.

Why size zero?
Well, size zero is a western concept, which is not relevant in India. Size zero means someone who is petite or of a small size. It is not related to fitness. By normal standards, a young girl of 13-14 can be size zero. It's very tough for an older woman to look size zero without looking anorexic. And who likes an anorexic looking woman? Indian men love a fuller body with a nice shape. Curves are hotter than a flat body.

Mind over matter
Fitness is not only about the body. Mental and emotional fitness is as important. I am a very contented person. I make sure that I don't let stress affect me. Whenever I am feeling low, I hit the gym, go for a run or do yoga. It helps release all the pressure. The next thing I want to learn is scuba diving.

Soha Ali Khan: Workout Regularly So You Can Eat All The Brownies You Want

2010-11-22T00:05:00.000-08:00

Soha Ali Khan’s Fitness Recipe: "LOOK after your fitness and your fitness will look after you or workout regularly so you can eat all the brownies you want!” This is Soha Ali Khan’s mantra in life.

Soha Ali Khan shares her fitness mantra:

Pleasing self
Actually, in reality my workout pattern is very irregular ( smiles). There are phases when I go to the gym daily for weeks on end and workout with lightweights, alternating it with cardio three times a week. Or sometimes I like to keep it varied by playing badminton or practising yoga. But there are also times when I get into my pyjamas, put on a TV series and watch it for days on end, emerging only to make more popcorn or order a take- out.

Peculiar bites
I have notoriously bizarre eating habits. I have an unhealthy obsession with frozen yoghurt, too much diet cola and late night popcorn binges. But I compensate by avoiding excessively oily or spicy food. I am happy eating tandoori chicken, yellow daal and broccoli every day of the week.

Take my breath away
I strongly believe that every person’s fitness regime should include some technique that increases flexibility and stamina through focused breathing. Yoga helps you achieve the right balance. Such exercises make your muscles lean, tone your body, and tackle a specific organ issue or hormonal imbalance and relax the mind. And so, I alternate between yoga and gym workouts.

A must break
My idea of unwinding on a day- to- day basis is taking a hot shower and watching a film or getting stuck in a page- turning murder mystery. But when I’m feeling particularly sore or physically exhausted after a hectic schedule, I pamper myself with massages. And of course, getting away from Mumbai every once in a while is also imperative. I love to go to a beach resort — relax by the sea, have some great food, swim, lie in the sun; great company is a must!

Lara Dutta Launches Her Yoga DVD 'Heal With Lara'

2010-11-18T00:42:00.000-08:00

Lara Datta Turns Fitness Guru With Her Signature DVDs H.E.A.L with Lara.
Following in the footsteps of Shilpa Shetty and Bipasha Basu, actress Lara Dutta has launched her own video CDs on yoga. The fit and fantastic Lara’s DVD is called 'H.E.A.L with Lara'. BUY DVD NOW FOR RS 255/- (Free Home Delivery-Cash on Delivery)

Lara Says she has researched for years to come out with this DVD which stands for Health, Exercise, Fitness and Longevity.

Earlier Shilpa had launched her yoga DVD, while Bipasha demonstrated fitness techniques in her CD called Love Yourself.

Lara Dutta Yoga Routine To Re-Balance, Restore and Revive You
LARA's YOGA DVD AVAILABLE FOR Rs 255/- Buy Now >>
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How important is being fit to you?
Ever since my Miss Universe days, fitness and holistic well-being has been extremely important for me.

Your fitness mantra?
For me, it has never been about following a fitness trend. It has always been about following what suits my body best. I have always been dedicated to a good workout. I work out five days a week — combining cardio, strength training and yoga. Being a vegetarian, I make sure I eat enough raw fruits and vegetables, take in good quality vegetable protein, drink lots of water and meditate frequently.

Actors in Bollywood share a strong camaraderie when it comes to sharing fitness tips. Is this seen among actresses too?
Sure we do. In fact, during the shooting of Don 2, all of us would hit the gym together. I have shared tips with Priyanka Chopra during the shoot, and with Deepika Padukone, before that.

What made you come up with a fitness DVD?
I have always been inspired to help women build better bodies. I have been collaborating with experts for a long time and it’s taken over a year of research and the understanding of various body types and requirements to put together the content on the DVDs. Therein was born the concept of H.E.A.L with Lara.

Since you are the only new member in the cast of Don 2, how is the experience so far?
We’ve already begun shooting for Don 2 in Berlin and it has been wonderful so far. The role I essay is very sophisticated and glamorous. Farhan Akhtar is a very talented director and working with Shah Rukh Khan is always fun.

What’s next for your production house Bheegi Basanti?
Once my DVD is released, I move on to my first home production Chalo Dilli with Vinay Pathak.

BUY -> DVD FOR Rs 255/- (DVD) - Cash on Delivery.

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Kareena Kapoor Launches Yoga Book - 'XL to XS' By Her Yoga Trainer Payal Gidwani Tiwari

2010-11-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

'When I started yoga, I couldn't lift my feet above the ground' says Kareena Kapoor, who with Tusshar Kapoor talks about fitness and yoga at the book launch of their yoga trainer Payal Gidwani Tiwari.

Kareena Kapoor with Tusshar Kapoor at the book launch of 'XL to XS' by their yoga trainer Payal Gidwani Tiwari.

How exactly did Kareena Kapoor pull off her size zero figure a couple of years ago?

The answer is yoga and the person who motivated her towards this choice was yoga expert Payal Gidwani Tiwari. Tiwari, whose clientele also includes Tusshar Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor, Rani Mukherjee, Saif Ali Khan, and Maria Goretti, has just launched her book From XL to XS - BUY IT NOW FOR ONLY Rs 119/- CASH ON DELIVERY. Bebo and her costar Tusshar Kapoor were with Tiwari at the event and here's their take on keeping toned and healthy.

It may interest you to know that initially, Kareena was not convinced of the benefits of yoga and she left the sessions after a month. However, she soon returned and has since been Tiwari's most dedicated client. Says Tiwari, "She never missed a single class in five years. I accompany her wherever she is shooting, so I can say she is extremely disciplined and dedicated."

The actress cannot stop raving about yoga and its many benefits. She quips, "Yoga is like a morning prayer -- I have to do it daily and if I miss it then I am in a horrible mood."

"Yoga is not just for the body, it's good for your mind as well. I yearn for yoga when I am not able to do it," she adds.

Kareena's co-star Tusshar Kapoor said, "Everyone on the sets was inspired by Kareena's flexibility, she is amazing." He laughs, "In fact, she is the Shakira of Golmaal 3."

The actor talked about his own routine, saying, "A combination of gym and yoga does wonders to your body."

So does Tusshar aspire for a six-pack?

"The most important thing is to have a fit body," he explains. "Six packs don't ensure a healthy body. You can have a six pack and still be unfit. To have a lean and tight abdomen is what one should aim for."

They both agree that yoga helps you eat more. Tusshar counsels, "You shouldn't starve yourself, once in a while you can have what you wish to and then burn it out -- that is what I do."

Kareena agreed, adding, "Eat in moderation and you can have anything."

A self-confessed foodie, she says, "I can't live without food. I love food as much as I love movies. I am a Kapoor, so that explains my love for food and I eat everything, but in moderation."

she says loves to eat. However, her sacrifices and effort have done wonders for her body.

"Initially when I started yoga classes, I couldn't lift my feet up above the ground. Payal told me that my thighs are bulky and I need to tone them down," she explains. "But now I can throw my feet above my head."

Buy Book By Kareena's Yoga Guru Payal Gidwani Tiwari
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Payal chimes in, "If women do yoga regularly it can tone their bodies. But the biggest blunder which people end up making is that they give up easily. When one is losing weight one shouldn't stop -- you should always remember that you can gain back the lost weight if you stop doing yoga."

I take the stairs when possible."

And luckily for her, she doesn't like sweets and chocolates. But rice makes her forget her regime very easily! "I love having rice, I can have it three times a day," she enthuses.

Beau Saif Ali Khan seems to share her passion for working out and yoga. Although he did not attend the book launch, it turns out that he was the one who motivated Tiwari to write a book.

Celebs Talk:

‘Payal has helped me challenge my genes and Transform my body’ Kareena Kapoor

‘It is hard to be unhealthy once you start yoga’ Saif Ali Khan

‘Payal has brought about an Intrinsic Change in the way I feel and look.’ Rani Mukerji

BUY "XL to XS" FROM FLIPKART.COM FOR ONLY Rs 119 - CLICK HERE

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Ayurvedic Beauty Care: Ageless Techniques to Invoke Natural Beauty by Melanie Sachs

2010-09-03T05:50:00.000-07:00

Ayurvedic Beauty Care presents both ancient and modern Ayurvedic secrets for beauty care and general health. The aim of this book is to elevate western understanding of beauty to new levels with deeper Ayurvedic insights. These insights hold powerful health promoting and enhancing methods and luxurious beauty techniques to achive all levels of beauty.

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This amazing book, is packed with information from cover to cover. It consists of extensive talks about different aspects of health and beauty care. It contains detailed information about how to manage every aspect of your daily life to create harmony in the body. According to Ayurveda it is the prefect digestion and assimilation of our food together with regular and effective evacuation of wastes that is essential for beauty. The book gives out general guidelines for helping digestion and food selection, the suggestions are in keeping with the sprit of Ayurveda.

The book is packed with loads of recipes to make at home. The recipes are tailored precisely for your particular skin type. Also explained are the daily eating routines to be followed by different body types.

'Ayurvedic Beauty Care' shows us where true beauty comes from. It contains very important information about health and how it relates to beauty.

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Top 10 Foods That Carry a High Risk of Contamination

2010-08-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

Watch before you eat: They maybe healthy or delicious, but these top 10 foods carry a high risk of contamination

1. EGGS

One of the healthiest foods is also among the most unsafe. The salmonella bacteria, nurtured in the intestinal tracts of animals and birds, contaminates the eggs. The best way to ensure you don’t ingest that bacteria is to buy fresh eggs from a daily vendor. Do not buy ones that have been sitting in the heat for a while. Store eggs in the fridge, but no more than a week. If in doubt, test freshness by placing an egg in a bowl filled with water. If it sinks, it is fresh. Always cook the eggs and avoid using them raw in a recipe.

2. LEAFY GREENS

Though they boast of immeasurable benefits, leafy veggies such as spinach, coriander, cabbage, chauli leaves and cauliflower can pose health risks. They may have been grown near rail tracks with dubious irrigation, and can be contaminated by E. coli, norovirus and salmonella. Sprayed by pesticides, the best way to eat such vegetables is by soaking them in a large bowl of water, and drying them before eating.

3. FISH

Fish has to be eaten fresh; store it in the fridge for no more than two to three days, as it starts releasing natural toxins such as scombrotoxin or start bacterial growth. Consumption can cause illnesses related to norovirus and salmonella. Before cooking, wash the fish, especially the cavities, in running water and rub with salt and turmeric before cooking.

4. OYSTERS

Unless well cooked, oysters can cause norovirus infection which can lead to gastro-enteritis or stomach and intestine inflammation. Vibrio, a bacterium found in the same family as cholera and present in oysters, is more lethal and can lead to severe diseases. Thorough cooking the oysters destroys these bacteria as does storing them in cold temperatures.

5. POTATOES

This will probably break the hearts of couch potatoes — salmonella, E. coli, shigella and listeria are on the list of potato contaminants. However, don’t pass the fries yet. All you need to do is brush the skin with a toothbrush to dislodge mud and debris and peel it before eating or cooking.

6. CHEESE

Cheeses produced by unlicensed manufacturers and soft cheeses such as feta and brie, may contain dangerous pathogens that cause listeriosis, a sly, symptom free infection that can result in miscarriage. The only thing you can do to guard yourself is avoid non-pasteurised cheese products.

7. ICE CREAM

Home-made ice-cream,or those made in unhygienic conditions or served in unsanitary outlets can carry salmonella and staphylococcus. Most of the time, uncooked eggs and unpasturerised milk used in the ingredients is the culprit. Dirty scoops, storage containers and freezers breed bacteria and increase the threat of listeriosis. Commercial or store-bought brands are your safest bet.

8. TOMATOES

Even tomatoes are considered a risky food due to the presence of salmonella. The bacteria makes its way to the flesh through the cracked skin, dents and scars. Washing the fruit thoroughly and cooking it well is the only way to eradicate it.

9. SPROUTS

Since bacteria need a warm, humid climate to grow, they are persistently found in sprouts. Harmful pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli cling to pulses, which are essentially seeds, in the field or in storage. If you have a weak immune system, you are most susceptible to illnesses after consuming raw or undercooked sprouts. So if you are recovering from a bout of illness, or breast-feeding, avoid sprouts for a few days. Also, children and elderly individuals should avoid eating them raw.

10. BERRIES

Before running out to consume boxes of strawberries, know that they have been linked to thousands of illnesses. The most common being cyclospora that affects the intestines. Symptoms include diarrhoea, dehydration and stomach cramps. Only a antibiotics will set you back on course. To get rid of pesticides that penetrate the thin skin of berries, wash them thoroughly.

Young Hearts in Danger, Lifestyle Changes Necessary

2010-08-18T04:44:00.000-07:00

Men and women as young as 19-years-old are falling prey to heart ailments. Their stress filled lifestyle is the culprit, say doctors

Acute mental stress is one of the primary reasons for heart problems in youngsters

Be it heart attacks or clogging of arteries, what is surprising is the emergence of a new profile of people between 25 - 35 years with heart conditions, typically seen in an older age group. Dr C N Manjunath, Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, says, “Youngsters in India are more vulnerable to heart problems as compared to youngsters from other countries including the US. And this holds true even for Indians who live abroad. In our hospital alone, out of the 1500 cases that were admitted last year, 25 per cent were below 40. Our youngest patient last year was a 19-year-old. And it is happening in this age group across economic backgrounds, be it a techie or a coolie or a garment factory worker. Acute mental stress is one of the predominant reasons.”

WAKE UP CALL

Harish Iyer was pretty much “all okay”. He had recently been diagnosed with diabetes, but led a “normal life”. He recalls, “I used to play cricket over weekends and noticed that I felt unusually tired. Since I was diagnosed with diabetes a few months back, my doctor suggested some tests beginning with basic cardiogram and treadmill tests. Many tests later, including an angiogram, I was diagnosed with TVD or Triple Vessel Disease.” In September 2009, Harish had a bypass surgery. He was 30-years-old and had four blocks in his arteries with one of them being 99 per cent blocked!

Similarly, Jacob (name changed), who works in a leading IT company started smoking (two to three packs) to find relief from an extremely stressful job. Combined with irregular meal-timings, a potent scenario ensued resulting in a massive heart attack at the age of 31 years.

For Prasad Shenoy, a commodity trader, it was a gentler warning. In 2005, at the age of 31, when he was at work, he started sweating and experienced chest pain. “The minute I went to the hospital, they did an ECG and rushed me to the OT. At that time, my son was just one-yearold and my wife was expecting our second child. I had told her that I was going for a checkup, that’s all. By the time she came to the hospital, angioplasty procedure was almost done. One of the arteries was 100 per cent blocked,” recounts Prasad.

THE TRIGGERS

For Harish it was erratic food habits and timings, eating whatever was convenient (read as loaded with calories) and lack of exercise were largely responsible for the weakening of his heart. “Sleep was also an issue,” he says, “and I worked till late night and then carried work home.” The overwhelming feeling of tiredness was a sign that things were not well. As with Prasad, “The doctors could not really pinpoint any reason. I love fried food, had only butter naan or roti, did not exercise much. Plus, my job was extremely stressful. Probably, everything just added up together.”

Dr Sanjay Mehrotra, Senior Cardiologist at Narayana Hrudayalaya, tells of the warning signs.

» Chest pain/chest discomfort
» Difficulty in breathing
» Heaviness in the chest
» Feeling of suffocation in the chest
» Sometimes, the impending sense of something is seriously wrong.

For those people who have preexisting heart diseases or blockages in the heart then the same symptoms as described above will appear with a little exertion or the usual exertion like climbing more than 2-3 flight of stairs, running a short distance or riding a bicycle.

Are you predisposed to a heart attack? Yes, if you:

» are a smoker — (still the most important cause of heart attack in young people)
» have diabetes
» have high blood pressure
» strong family history
» do you have high cholesterol
» are obese/have a high fat diet/have a sedentary lifestyle

Then any of these factors can put you in the high risk bracket.

SECOND LIFE

Harish says, “I am very watchful of what I consume.” He also goes for a walk regularly. “That brought in some discipline and got my blood sugar under control. I have joined a gym — never knew it could be so much fun! I ensure that I do not get too stressed with work. So life is definitely better.”

Harish neatly summarises, “Trust me, it is not the surgery that hurts. You are anyway unconscious during surgery. It is the post surgery recuperation that has taught me a few lessons, the major one is to respect my heart. No one realises its importance, unless some jolt like this occurs.”

THE GOLDEN TIME

YOU SHOULD reach the hospital as soon as possible to save yourself from damage or death due to a heart attack.

The Golden hour: The patient should rush to the hospital within one hour of the onset of chest pain/discomfort.

The Golden Period: Upto six hours from the onset of chest pain when a simple injection (thrombolytic therapy) can save your life.

Katy Perry’s US Trainer Harley Pasternak Explains How You Can Eat More, Work out Less and Get a Dream Body

2010-08-18T04:16:00.000-07:00

Five factor diet plan

Katy Perry’s trimmer than ever ahead of her wedding, thanks to Harley Pasternak. The US trainer explains how you too can eat more, work out less and get your dream body

Katy Perry

Pop star Katy Perry may like to wear cream cakes, but from the looks of her enviable figure, she certainly hasn’t been eating them. In fact, the 25-year-old has embarked on a strict diet ahead of her upcoming wedding to the tamed lothario Russell Brand, 35. The pair are set to tie the knot in India this October.

And Katy’s keen to look picture perfect on her big day, so she’s turned to the one man that — Hollywood’s leading ladies swear by — Harley Pasternak. “She’s getting in shape for everything — wedding, music videos, touring, etc,” says trainer Harley.

Singer Katy Perry’s eating plan is an example of how you might want to structure your own diet to increase your chances of losing weight in one month

“She works out as often as she can — she’s a busy woman — but her goal is five times a week and she eats five small meals a day.”

According to fitness and nutrition guru Harley, the reason celebs such as Megan Fox, Halle Berry, and Jennifer Hudson, love his famous Five Factor diet plan is simple, “It requires the least amount of time for the most results and that’s exactly what my clients are looking for.”

FORGET SIZE ZERO – 5’S THE MAGIC NUMBER

Harley’s credited with helping change the must-have shape of Hollywood stars from skinny to sexy. Under his guidance Katy Perry may be slimming down but she certainly won’t be losing the curves that helped her top Maxim’s list of the world’s hottest 100 women and brought her to Russell Brand’s attention.

In fact, after meeting her at the X Factor auditions, super-slim Cheryl Tweedy reportedly told a friend, “I look like a little boy next to Katy.”

But Harley’s 5-factor plan is for those who want curves in all the right places — not those who want to shrink to a shocking size zero. “Women should look like women. They need natural curves and if they’re too lean, their hormonal cycle gets thrown off and they stop looking and feeling like women.”

YOUR CURVES PLAN

Here’s how the magic number 5 can help you get curves in all the right places.

The 5 factor rules

Follow these simple rules...
» Eat 5 times a day — you’ll feel less hungry throughout the day and keep cravings at bay.
» Meals must consist of 5 ingredients or less — so they’re fresh, healthy and cheap to make.
» Meals should take just 5 minutes to prepare — so it’s easy to stick to, no matter how busy you are.
» Allow yourself to cheat once a week — taking a break where you can enjoy your favourite foods.
» You should do 5 short workouts a week.

The 5 meal ingredients

Every meal should include...
» A low-fat protein: chicken breasts, fish, shellfish, egg whites or cottage cheese.
» Healthy carbohydrate: beans, lentils, brown rice, wild rice, fruit.
» Fibre: from healthy carbs such as beans, oats, lentils, barley, brown rice, wholegrain bread, vegetables (except potatoes) and fruit.
» Healthy fats: cooking oils such as olive and rapeseed (no full-fat dairy).
» A sugarfree drink.

Your 5-meals-a-day menu

Choose from one of the following each day...

Breakfasts

» French toast: Two slices of bread dipped in egg whites, skimmed milk and a little sugar. Grill. Top with low- fat cheese and a few berries.
» Omelette: Sauté chopped onion, egg whites, ground chicken or turkey, chopped tomato and mushrooms. Serve with two pieces of wholegrain toast.
» Wholegrain cereal with low-fat milk.
» Scrambled egg whites with a strawberry smoothie (made with strawberries, low-fat yoghurt and ice) and two pieces of wholegrain toast. » Grapefruit halves, with low-fat yoghurt, plus porridge with strawberries.

Morning Snacks

» Turkey slices with celery dipped in homemade hummus (blend chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice, two cloves garlic).
» Hard-boiled egg with tuna.
» Apple slices with peanut butter.

Lunches

» Curried chicken salad: chopped cooked chicken breast with onion, plain yoghurt, curry powder with water, microwave 1 minute, serve open-faced on a slice of bread or on a bed of lettuce.
» Lettuce wrap with prawns, celery and sweet chilli dressing.
» Baked sweet potato with tuna.
» Tomato soup with granary roll.
» Green bean salad with tuna and fat-free vinaigrette dressing.

Afternoon Snacks
» Tuna sushi.
» Edamame beans.
» Sausage skewers with roasted cherry tomatoes and mustard.

Dinners

» Chicken fajita: Chopped onion, pepper, skinless chicken breast, fajita seasoning, wrapped in tortillas, along with low-fat cheddar, salsa and lettuce.
» Chicken and vegetable stir fry with brown rice and Chinese veg.
» Grilled steak with sweet potato mash and steamed asparagus.
» Chilli made with lean beef and served with brown rice.
» Seafood and veg stir-fry with rice noodles.

YOUR 3 SUPER MOVES...

Harley advises combining cardio that gets you out of breath with toning moves such as the ones below.

Arm toner: Bicep curl

Hold a dumbbell (or fulllitre water bottle) in your right hand, with your right arm extending to the floor. Your palm facing upwards, exhale as you draw your elbow up along your ribs as high as you can Inhale as you return the your arm back to the starting position. Do 12 to 15 reps and then switch sides.

Legs and bums:

Lunges

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a light weight at arm’s length, with your palms facing each other. With your shoulders back and head up, inhale as you take a large step forward. Lower your body, creating a 90-degree angles. As your back knee nears the ground, exhale as you drive back with the muscles of your front leg to return to the starting position. Alternate after rep of 15.

Tummy target: Double crunch

Lie on your back with your knees bent, your feet a few inches off the floor, your hands holding your head — but your fingers not locked.

Curl shoulders up from the mat while rolling your bottom and thighs up toward your head. Keep your chin away from your chest and your eyes up. Do as many as you can in sets of 10 or 15.

THE POWER OF 5 FITNESS

Do five minutes of five different exercises, at least five days a week — that’s 25 minutes per session. Harley believes that working out more often for shorter periods of time is more effective than spending hours at the gym. Good choices include: running, cycling, dancing, brisk walking or swimming and variety is key. Daily Mirror

HARLEY’S STAR-STUDDED CLIENT LIST

LADY GAGA, 24 The outrageous but super-toned singer takes Harley on tour with her to keep her body in hot shape. “She wanted to have the best abs, legs and arms ever — so she stepped up her workouts. Now she’s super confident about her body and comfortable wearing everything,” says Harley.

JESSICA SIMPSON, 30 The US actress turned to Harley after her weight ballooned last year. “She wanted to be strong, athletic and fit and have definition in her arms, legs and abs but keep her feminine curves,” he explains.

HALLE BERRY, 43 Halle called Harley to help get her amazing body even more buff for the X-Men 3 movie. “She has no problem working her butt off as long as she doesn’t have to do it for too long, and as long as she sees results,” he says.

JENNIFER HUDSON, 28 Harley helped the American Idol star slim from a UK size 16 to a size 10 recently. “I think she looks fantastic,” says Harley. “She’s not someone who typically liked exercising but she saw the results and we got her working out five days a week.”

A-Z of Celebrity Diets-Hollywood Diet Tips to Hide Evidence of Those Extra Helpings

2010-08-12T04:31:00.000-07:00

Even those oh-so-slim celebs over-indulge to beat stress, boredom and depression. Here are their secret Hollywood diet tips to help whisk away evidence of those extra helpings of, well, everything

41-year-old Jennifer Aniston owes her svelte figure to healthy diet

A IS FOR...
All-new Atkins Diet

A decade ago, the no carb/high protein Atkins was the most popular diet in Hollywood, with celebrity followers including Jennifer Aniston and Renee Zellweger.

The theory is if carbohydrates are restricted the body turns to fat to burn as its main energy source, resulting in a rapid and dramatic weight loss. But its popularity dived after heart disease and high-cholesterol scares. But now Atkins is back, new and improved and with more varied foods (wholegrain bread, brown rice, pasta, fruit grilled chicken, lean meats and fish) on the menu.

B IS FOR...
Baby food

Reese Witherspoon believes in baby food to keep her trim.
Yes, A-listers such as Reese Witherspoon and Desperate Housewives' Marcia Cross spoon in jars of baby food when they need to slim their waistlines. Baby food dieters replace two meals a day with a pot of pureed baby food (about 80 calories) and then fill up on one healthy adult meal.

C IS FOR...
Caffeine

The pick-me-up can be a dieter's best friend and one that Diet Coke fans Drew Barrymore, Cate Blanchett, Kim Basinger and Caprice know all about. A cup of coffee before a gym workout could help you burn more fat. Researchers at the Australian Institute of Sport found caffeine triggers the muscles to use energy from fat sources rather than carbohydrate.

D IS FOR...
Detox

Kate Moss and Sadie Frost follow this treatment. The detox plan involves avoiding refined sugary and “toxic” foods such as wheat, potatoes, dairy produce, citrus fruits, red meat and alcohol.

E IS FOR...
Emotional eating

Most adults eat to combat the blues, boredom, stress and loneliness. If you understand why you are eating you can easily tackle the problem, according to experts. Exercise more to lift your mood, take a relaxing bath. Acknowledge that you are turning to food when you need comfort.

F IS FOR...
Fruit juices

Fruit juice fans include Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow and Alicia Silverstone. Katie Price/Jordan credited fruit and vegetable juices with her rapid post-baby weight loss. She opted for blends of avocado, pineapple, spinach and celery, which she said, “sounds revolting but it's delicious”. Juices or smoothies are an easy way to get your antioxidant fix.

G IS FOR...
Green tea

This oriental tea is a fantastic metabolism booster. Christina Aguilera drinks it to keep her in shape. Research shows green tea increases thermogenesis, the process by which your body burns the calories you consume, so one to two cups of tea a day could burn up to 70 calories.

G IS FOR...
Grapefruit diet

It's a tough diet, but one that Brooke Shields is believed to be a fan of. Dieters eat half a grapefruit before every meal and stick to less than 800 calories a day. Grapefruit contains fat-burning enzymes.

H IS FOR...
Hypnotherapy

Lily Allen was all smiles when she shed 19lbs, dropping to a size eight. The singer was under doctor's orders to lose weight and get fit after she was diagnosed with a heart murmur. Lily underwent hypnotherapy sessions to reprogramme her brain to enjoy eating healthy foods and feel positive about exercising.

I IS FOR…
Index

Kylie Minogue and Kim Cattrall are all fans of the Glycaemic Index Diet, which is rich in pulses, oats, fruits and wholegrains, but bans processed carbs. Foods are ranked on a scale from zero to 100 based on how much they affect blood sugar. Low-GI foods help stabilise blood-sugar levels so you don’t go through cycles of sugar highs and lows. You’ll feel fuller for longer and less likely to snack.

J IS FOR…
Japanese food

Victoria Beckham remain ultra trim thanks to Japanese cuisine — edamame beans (baby soybeans) and seaweed shakes. A traditional Japanese diet contains plenty of fish, vegetables, rice, fruit and soy. Plus portion sizes are smaller, cutting the calories. In Okinawa, which has the greatest longevity in the world, people commonly eat 10 different varieties of fruit and vegetables daily and up to three servings of omega-3 rich oily fish.

K IS FOR…
Kinesiology

Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria says the secret of her toned figure is kinesiology. It is a holistic technique which can pinpoint imbalances in the body and identify which of those is a priority and what will be the most effective treatment. For Eva it means following a healthy diet eating meat, fish and fresh vegetables.

L IS FOR…
Little and often

Actress Charlize Theron believes her slim figure is down to eating little and often. “I eat six small meals a day,” she admits. “If I fancy a burger, rather than deprive myself I’ll have a quarter of one.” Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger too eats six small meals a day. Small meals keeps your blood sugars steady so you are less tempted to snack. Psychologically as you’re not going too long between eating, you don’t feel deprived.

M IS FOR…
Maple syrup diet

This diet helped Beyonce Knowles drop a stone before starring in movie Dreamgirls. For a fortnight she glugged a syrup mixed with lemon juice, water and cayenne pepper. It’s called Madal Bal Natural Tree Syrup, made from the sap of maple and palm trees. It may be an extreme fad but followers say as well as dramatically losing weight you feel more alert and have clearer skin. The diet is flexible, you can follow it strictly, or do an occasional day, or replace some meals with the liquid.

N IS FOR…
The New York Diet

It’s an intensive boot-camp of a diet followed by Liv Tyler and Heidi Klum. The regime allows five meals a day but only from certain food groups. No booze, bread, starchy carbs, dairy, fruit and saturated fats.

O IS FOR…
One meal a day

Liz Hurley admitted a disciplined diet of only one full meal a day (dinner) was the key to shifting her baby weight. Brooke Shields admits to eating one meal a day as did Ashton Kutcher ahead of his 2009 movie Spread. Also called the Caveman Diet, it harks back to the Stone Age when cavemen ate just one meal a day. For the caveman diet, your main meal of the day should be a balance of protein, carbs and vegetables in the evening.

P IS FOR…
Portion control

Halle Berry always keeps a watchful eye on how much she’s eating, while Heroes star Hayden Panettiere goes one step further by eating a quarter of a portion and waiting to see if she’s full. By having too big a portion at each meal you could be taking in as much as 7,000 extra calories each week. One way is to eat half of your portion, but I recommend eating a smaller portion, then waiting 10 minutes. If you feel full, stop eating. If you’re still not satisfied have just a bit more. It can also help to use a smaller plate.

Q IS FOR…
Quick Diet

Jessica Biel, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu and Jennifer Lopez follow this diet. One should eat every three hours. Meals should include a Rubik's-cube sized portion of carbs at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a deck of playing cards-sized portion of protein, a water bottle cap-sized portion of fat and a stack of three DVD's-sized portion of fruit and vegetables at each meal.

R IS FOR...
Raw Food Diet

It’s all about raw food. A daily diet should be made up of two thirds raw vegetables and one third meat (not pork), fish and dairy products. Uma Thurman and Demi Moore are believed to be fans. The idea is that raw food contains live enzymes which boost energy. These enzymes are destroyed during cooking. Eating raw vegetables also burns more calories than eating cooked vegetables.

S IS FOR...
Snacking

Supermodel and mum-of-two Cindy Crawford still looks sensational at 44 and she puts it down to snacking during the day. Sensible snacks include fresh vegetable and fresh and dried fruitS, yoghurts and crispbreads with low-fat cheese.

T IS FOR...
Treats

Even the slimmest of stars treat themselves occasionally, and some claim regular "pig-outs" actually keep them on track. Cheryl Cole says staying slim doesn't have to mean she misses out on her favourite foods. "I usually do it on a Sunday,”she says. Scary Spice Mel B and Mischa Barton are fans od once-a-week treats Healthy eating is all about enjoying your food and having treats in moderation."

U IS FOR...
Under the knife

Gastric-band surgery involves putting a band around the top of the stomach, preventing part of it from being used, so you feel fuller. The band can be tightened or loosened. An alternative procedure is gastric bypass surgery (or stomach stapling) where part of the stomach is sealed off. With patients only able to eat small meals, weight loss is rapid. However, maintaining a steady weight afterwards can be more challenging as Sharon Osbourne discovered.

V IS FOR...
Vodka and Vinegar

Sienna Miller and Liz Hurley swap wine for vodka. One shot contains 55 calories, compared to 115 calories in a standard glass of wine. Megan Fox and Black Eyed Peas frontwoman Fergie both admit to guzzling vinegar to keep in peak condition. "It's just water and raw apple cider vinegar, and it cleans out your system," Megan Fox explains.

W IS FOR...
WeightWatchers

Catherine Zeta-Jones is a fan. All foods are given a WeightWatchers' points value based on their calorie and saturated-fat content. You can eat any food you like as long as you don't go over your daily points allowance (which is based on your age, weight and activity levels).

X IS FOR...
X Factor

Syndrome X, is a form of insulin resistance where sugar levels are raised. It's a pre-diabetic state and is linked to obesity and longterm health problems. The biggest indicator that you’re suffering from Syndrome X is a beer belly — as the roll of fat is believed to directly affect the liver and pancreas underneath. The cause is sugar in our diet, something the slimmest celebrities avoid like the plague. In training for her world tour, Britney Spears shed a stone by curbing her sweet tooth. Katie Holmes, Julia Roberts and Beyonce Knowles are believed to all have a sweet tooth, but keep a close eye on their sugar intake. Cut out sugar — in sweets, desserts, fizzy drinks and processed foods .

Y IS FOR...
Youthful

Stars are quick to fight the ageing process by eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids or taking fish oil supplements, which also helps them stay trim. Supermodel Elle Macpherson includes fish oil in her daily organic diet. Gwyneth Paltrow follows a diet rich in fish — avoiding meat . Oily fish is a fantastic source of omega-3 fats which plumps out the skin, minimising wrinkles and improving complexion. These essential fats also improve the body's ability to break down fat, helping you shift those pounds. Tuna, mackerel, salmon and herring are an ideal choice.

Z IS FOR...
Zzzzz

Irregular sleep is believed to set the metabolic functions off-kilter, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, hypertension and vascular problems. Some stars like Penelope Cruz swear by eight hours of sleep. Lack of sleep causes imbalances in the hormones leptin and ghrelin, which control appetite and hunger. For the best night's sleep you should aim to get seven to eight hours of undisturbed zzzzzzs.

Meditation is The Only Thing That Helped Me Deal With Sleepwalking, Says Sameera Reddy

2010-08-05T04:54:00.000-07:00

"I love my sleep and get cranky if I don’t doze off for eight to nine hours every day. And I suffer from sleepwalking. It began at the age of six. I remember my parents telling me that I kept circling the dining table holding my pillow, dazedly. Thereafter it became a regular occurrence — I walked in my sleep twice or thrice a week", Says Sameera Reddy

• Unwelcome habit

I’d have no memory of my nocturnal adventures though my family and friends had a rollicking time narrating them. Apparently, I used to have long conversations, at times even shout out loud. These conversations weren’t gibberish, but clear dialogue about a subject.

Also there wasn’t any fixed time for my sleepwalking. It could be within a few minutes of hitting the sack or an hour or two. It would last from a few seconds to 30 minutes. I’d wake up, walk around and talk, then snap out of it and get back to bed! There were occasions when I sleep-walked about six times in a night!

When these stints became more frequent, my parents started getting worried, especially since we stayed on the ninth floor of the building. Once they saw me wake up and stand pretty close to the edge of my window ‘talking’ to my friends on the eighth floor! They then got my room barricaded.

However, during my sleepwalking, my parents never woke me as doing so can lead a person into a state of shock or increase his/her heart rate. You either let him/her complete the act or guide him/her to bed gently.

• The problem continues

This problem continued well into my teens and adulthood. I then noticed that it was during high-stress situations that I sleepwalked the most.

Needless to say, it led to several embarrassing and hilarious situations. In 2005 when I went to London for a show with Hrithik Roshan, Yana Gupta and others, I was a bit stressed about my performance. When I went to sleep that night, I remember opening my eyes and running out of the room. Suddenly a mental alarm went off and I awoke only to see the door shut! Dressed in my nightdress, it was embarrassing to awaken others to get help!

Similarly, during the shoot of One Two Three in Goa, I tried to walk out of the room in my sleep and was so frustrated when I couldn’t that I broke the door and wrenched the lock. I wonder where I got the strength from!

• Therapy time

It’s not as if I didn’t try to cure it. One expert said it’s a reflection of my sub-conscious. When something happens, I don’t experience or express that emotion immediately and tend to repress it. But my subconscious acts up later. It’s probably true for several times when I wake up and find that my eyes are wet!

When I was 10, my parents took me to a counsellor who said I should always be happy. In college too, my mum took me to a hypnotherapist but to no avail. Only homeopathy worked to some extent as it helped me calm down.

Sleepwalking treatment requires a holistic approach and the patient’s sleep history is analysed

• Spirituality’s the saviour

Finally, under the influence of my sister, I turned to meditation about four or five years back. I have done all the courses — Art of Living, Vipassana, Oneness University etc. Now I do my own breathing exercises and at any given time, I can get into a meditative trance.

Soon after I started meditating I felt my system get cleansed. Emotionally, I learnt to deal with weighty issues. In fact, I actually called up people who had hurt me in the past and forgave them and vice-versa.

Now I meditate every day before I sleep. I sit on my knees, express gratitude, gradually go over all the events of the day and maintain silence. Slowly I drift into sleep, put my head down as though I am crouching (known as child’s pose) and go into deep slumber.

The results have been pretty good. After I went to the Oneness University, for almost five months I didn’t sleepwalk. Even now it has reduced, though a couple of weeks ago I was back to my old self!

• Humour helps

Fortunately, it doesn’t bother me now and I have learned to laugh about it. But I have started taking a deeper interest in matters of mental wellbeing. Books such as Eckhar Tolle’s The Power of Now have hugely helped me exist in the present, conduct relationships properly and become more aware of myself. And I guess the kind of stress we face these days, particularly, in Bollywood, every effort counts!

DOCTOR SPEAK

Dr S Ramnathan Iyer, consultant physician-sleep medicine, at Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, provides a few insights on sleepwalking.

There are two types of sleep: rapid eye movement and non-rapid eye movement sleep. Instability in the non-rapid eye movement (NREM) is the background on which sleepwalking or somnambulism — a disorder belonging to the parasomnia family — occurs.

The usual triggers are stress, anxiety, emotionally charged memories, fever, alcohol intake and sleep-deprivation. Some common diseases associated with sleepwalking are sleep disorder breathing or obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and period leg movement syndrome.

In extreme cases, it can cause injury, especially if the activities are violent (agitated). Here a patient may harm others or her/himself, cause accidents, etc. But the acts can also be mumbling or talking during sleep.

Exercise and Diet Required to Prevent Alzheimer Desease

2010-07-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

Shut Alzheimer’s out in your 20s:

With the brain disorder kicking in as early as the 40s, experts tell us what changes to make to our lifestyles to start combating it early. How to Prevent Alzheimer desease from occuring. Diet and Exercise routine to follow to stop it. Read on to know how yoga, sports and the right foods can help fight Alzheimer Desease.

Alzheimer’s disease was brought to the forefront by Amitabh Bachchan’s character in the movie Black

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease surface later in life, but the silent damage begins when you are young. Furthermore, a growing number of people in their 40s and 50s are being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. And because medication is still in the premature stages of development, the best way to avoid the disease is to take charge early. Fitness expert Nuri Khan, proprietor of Studio 5 Fitness centre, fitness consultant and educator Dilip Heble, and wellness coach Vinod Nair tell you what to do.

Exercises

• Yoga is not merely an exercise, but as fitness experts say, a way of life. Unlike other workouts that only stretch your muscles, yoga stretches your organs as well. Many asanas aid blood circulation in the body (including the brain) and even the regular Pranayamas will go a long way in reducing risk of Alzheimer’s.

• Sign up for sports such as tennis. Running on a treadmill is a no brainer; sports require a lot of concentration. And a high concentration level helps keep your mind agile.

• Water aerobics is like normal aerobics, the only difference being that one stands in four-foot deep water while exercising. Firstly, it reduces pressure on joints and takes away the monotony from a workout. Also, the water helps calm the mind.

Water power

Your brain needs a high level of water to function optimally; dehydration spells trouble in the long run. A word of caution: do not wait to till you get thirsty. If you’re not thirsty, the body is already dehydrated.

Breathe

A study conducted by researchers at the Brain Research Centre at Canada’s University of British Columbia proved that low levels of oxygen are connected to the risk of Alzheimer’s. The study proved that oxygen deficiency hastens the death of brain’s cells, putting the person at an increased risk. Hence, avoid shallow breathing. Over time, it turns into a habit and one doesn’t even realise that (s)he isn’t breathing normally. Take deep breaths to keep the oxygen supply running.

Watch our for diabetes

Different health issues don’t exist in water-tight compartments and an incorrect lifestyle can manifest itself in various disorders at different stages. One such relationship presented by researchers at the 10th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders in Spain is between diabetes and Alzheimer’s. While the statistics confirm a link, how exactly are the two connected is yet to be fully understood. A possibility is that diabetes causes accumulation of blood sugar in the brain causing damage to the brain cells. Bottom line: Take note of what you eat and keep sugar levels low.

Iron, Phosphorus, zinc

The three elements, when included in everyday diet, aid proper brain functioning and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. Sunflower seeds, peas, broccoli, banana, eggs, dairy products, whole-grain cereals, spinach, soy etc. are rich sources. You may also stock up on fruit and vegetable juices as a study published in The American Journal of Medicine claimed that three glasses of juice per week helps cut down the risk of Alzheimer’s by almost 75 per cent.

Veg is better

Non-vegetarian food, when eaten in moderation, is healthy. In fact, fish is considered the best source of Omega-3 fatty acids that are crucial for the brain’s health. Reason why many health experts stress on vegetarian food is owing to the poor quality of meat that’s largely available in the market. Animals are often fed nothing but garbage and bred under extremely stressful conditions, and when we eat them, we willingly take on the adverse effects. It harms our system, and our brain.

Tea and coffee

A study conducted at the University of Kuopio, Finland followed up 1409 individuals for a period of 21 years and established that coffee and tea consumption brings down the risk of Alzheimer’s.

The study was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. So take that daily cup of chai/coffee a lot more seriously.

Straighten Your Eye Squint - How to Treat a Squint on Time

2010-07-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

Frequent eye turns can be a nuisance. Learn How to Treat your squint Eye on time!

Squint or strabismus is cross-eyes.It is defined as a condition in which the eyes deviate (turn) when looking at a particular object.Eye doctors generally look for the presence of a strabismus when looking at: distance (20 feet or more); near (16 inches for an adult and 13 inches for a child); lateral and vertical directions (up, down, left, or right).

When the eye turn occurs all the time, it is called constant strabismus. When it occurs only some time, it is called intermittent strabismus.With intermittent strabismus, the eye turn might be observed only occasionally, such as during stressful situations or when the person is ill. The timing and type of treatment depend on the type of condition.

How common is this disorder?

It is a common eye problem, especially in children. However, it is also known to occur in adults. It is seen in three-five per cent of normal population. It can occur due to a variety of causes, such as hereditary, muscle weakness, poor vision, or any disease occurring within the eye, such as cataract in children.

When should one suspect it?

I The most important sign is when eyes are not positioned straight. When a child turns his face or tilts head to see in a particular direction. I Closes one eye in bright sunlight.

What happens if untreated?

Amblyopia (lazy eye) is a gradual deterioration of vision in an otherwise normal eye. The risk is greater in children below 10 years of age. Once the eye becomes lazy, it tends to be irreversible, unless intervened appropriately.

How does squint correction help?

Straightens the eyes (cosmetic), restores vision, preserves binocularity (To use both eyes simultaneously).

Treatment - What is the treatment For squint

Orthoptics:
It is a medical term for the eye muscle training programs. Orthoptics treat muscle problems only in regard to strength and is usually done using a special machine called the synaptophore. Customarily, all squint patients, especially those whose axis of deviation is not too much, are given a trial of exercises.

Surgery:
Squint surgery is reserved for those whose angle of deviation is great or those who have had a trial of exercises and found inadequate improvement.

(Inputs from Dr Keiki Mehta, Mumbai-based ophthalmologist) - Source: TOI

How to Get The Rani Mukherjee and Lindsay Lohan, Messy Bed-Head Look With Tumbling Hair Locks

2010-07-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

At a recent music launch, Rani Mukherjee showed up in a more sedate version of the messy bed-head do. After years of ironing and rebonding hair into submission, the recent trend of relaxed, wavy hair is refreshing. And the best part is, it's completely DIY.

Rani Mukherjee at a recent music launch

All you need to do to transform your limp tresses into Rani and Lindsay Lohan’s tumbling locks is work some conditioner into your hair, plait it and go to sleep. Open them up in the morning to get this gorgeous mess.

Lindsay Lohan

Shilpa Shetty's Beauty Essentials: My Body & I

2010-07-21T03:42:00.000-07:00

FACE FACTS

What is your beauty routine?
In the morning, I splash warm then cold water on my face and apply moisturiser and eye cream. At night, I cleanse with a home-made remedy: olive oil, Johnson’s Baby Oil and Bio-Oil, which I massage in and remove with a hot face cloth.

Your make-up bag heroes?
Mac liquid eyeliner, Chanel foundation, Clinique powder, Mac mascara and Estée Lauder lipstick.

Desert island essentials?
Clinique sunscreen, right. As I live in India, the higher SPF the better – I try to use SPF50.

What beauty secrets has your mother passed on to you?
Never use soap on your face – it’s the worst thing for it. She also advocated the ‘less is more’ rule, so I don’t overload my skin with products.

Who is your beauty icon?
Madonna. She has made the best of herself every step of the way.

Would you have plastic surgery?
I don’t need it right now. I don’t want to be judgmental; have it if you feel you need it, but do your research, go to the right person and don’t become addicted.

LITTLE LUXURIES

What makes you feel glamorous?
A blow-dry – and Donna Karan clothes are wonderful.

Your favourite fragrances?
I switch between Esteé Lauder Pleasures and Dolce & Gabbana.

BODYWORK

How do you keep fit?
I practise yoga. It is the most holistic way to keep fit, as it works with your body and soul. I also find it calming.

A tip for body confidence?
If you want to change how you look, it requires dedication, so start today – even if it is simply walking to work or improving your diet. Understand the value of being fit, rather than simply looking good – that will follow.

Do you have body treatments?
I’m a spa junkie and usually go for a deep-tissue massage. When I was in London, I had a great one at Harrods’ Urban Retreat [tel: 020 7893 8333], and I’ll always remember the one I had in Tanzania at the Zamani Zanzibar Kempinski Hotel.

EATS AND TREATS

Do you eat to live or live to eat?
Both. I live to eat, but eat to live healthily. It is all about balance – if I eat heavily in the day, I have a light dinner.

Tea or coffee?
I’m a green tea-aholic – it’s a great antioxidant.

Do you take vitamins?
I take calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and a Centrum multivitamin each morning. I have a break every few weeks to give my system a rest.

What keeps you going through the day?
I have two eggs for breakfast if I’ve got a busy day ahead.

CHILLING OUT

How do you relax?
I watch TV with my sister. I love Friends, Sex and the City and Heroes. And a hot ten-minute shower is the ultimate relaxer.

What self-help books have inspired you?
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson. It shows you how easy it is to improve
your life.

Your ultimate great escape?
Switching off my phone so that I’m unavailable – although this is practically impossible as I love to talk. And London; it’s a home from home.

What is your feel-good philosophy?
I’m pretty practical really. I make myself believe things happen for a reason.
Shilpa stars in Desire, which will be shown at the Cannes Film Festival; see shilpashettylive.com

FAVOURITE MAKE-UP BRANDS AND ACCESSORIES THAT SHILPA SHETTY USES. SHILPA'S HOT LIST.

» Johnson’s Baby Oil, $4.64 for 591 ml, available on Amazon.com

» Bio-Oil, $10.53 for 60ml, available at Amazon.com

» Chanel Vitalumière foundation, $45.99 for 30ml at Available of Amazon.com

» Mac Liquid Eyeliner in Boot Black, $20.10 available of Amazon.com

» MAC ZOOM LASH MASCARA , $6.25 on Amazon.com

» Clinique Stay-Matte Pressed Powder, $22.00 on Amazon.com

» Sun-Care UV-Response Body Cream SPF50, $22.00 at amazon.com

» Estée Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Rose Tea and Crystal Rose, available for $9.00 on Amazon.com

» Pleasures by Estée Lauder eau de parfum, $52.00 at Amazon.com

» Dolce & Gabbana eau de parfum.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

Karate Has Several Physical and Mental Health Benefits

2010-07-20T04:06:00.000-07:00

That karate is one of the best forms of self-defence and fitness needs no elaboration. However, the martial art form is also an excellent means of selfdevelopment with several physical and mental health benefits that have rarely been highlighted. What’s more you do not need to be a master or have years of practice to experience its benefits. Just sign up for a class once a week at a centre near you and learn the callisthenic drills, stretching exercises, basics of attack, block, punch and kicks. 12-14 sessions of an hour or two each in a month are good enough to get you on the road to health.

KARATE THE STRESS BUSTER

Karate has a number of callisthenic drills (warm up moves) that loosen up your body and act as stress busters. To understand how they work, know these three aspects:
» Kihon: Techniques of moving forward, backward, sideward and various postures
» Kata: Imaginary fight sequences in which a person is surrounded by enemies and has to counter-attack using various stances
» Kumite: The lessons of kihon and kata are combined but they are executed with an opponent.

These three aspects not only sharpen your skills, reflexes and your ability to cope with stress during a fight or combat situation, but also aid you in everyday tasks.

For instance in kata, you learn to make split-second decisions on when to fight, punch or block. Over a period, these movements help you be more in control of your reflexes, keep your mind cool and increase your decision-making ability.

KARATE FOR GOOD HEALTH

IMPROVES LUNG CAPACITY

This martial art is a great exercise for asthmatics as the movements involve a lot of inhalation and exhalation. In kata, during an attack, one needs to exhale correctly as the power goes from your body to that of the opponent’s.

On the contrary, if you are blocking an attacker, you need to inhale properly in order to absorb the opponent’s strength. This inhalation and exhalation increases lung capacity. It’s believed that if you do kata 10 times, it’s equivalent to 10 kms of jogging. Once you practise the moves, they can also be performed in a confined space, say at home or in your office.

Kata is beneficial for asthmatics who can practise them under a doctor’s guidance as these movements help lessen their burden on the inhaler. Mild asthma can be controlled and possibly cured too with these exercises.

INCREASES RESISTANCE

Karate helps restore the balance to metabolism rates. Just in the case of any other form of exercise, when you train, toxins are flushed out as you tend to sweat a lot. Moreover, since lung capacity improves, your immunity against viral diseases such as coughs and colds increases too. Now this is something which you can do with, this malaria season.

More importantly, since karate works on your mind, it boosts your mental ability to deal with illnesses. Visualisation plays a big role in karate and it helps develop a positive attitude against diseases.

HELPS IN GAINING HEIGHT

The calisthenic drills stretch the joints to the maximum. Practising karate for a long time makes your body lean and supple and can add a few centimetres to your height.

EFFECTIVE FOR BACK PAIN

Certain kata movements and the drills that emphasise on stretching and maintaining the balance of the spine help cure minor back pain problems. But to get the maximum benefits, one must train regularly for at least six months.

NORMALISES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Certain katas concentrate solely on breathing while power and focus are secondary. These can help people with high blood pressure bring their BP to normal levels.

EASES JOINT PAINS

Those with mild joint pains find karate very useful, especially stances that strengthen particular joints and reduce the burden on others. For example, a popular stance is one where one knee is bent to a side shifting the weight of the body to it. This reduces pressure on the other knee.

The best thing about karate is that you don’t need to be the right age or weight to start learning karate. The only criteria needed? A bit of discipline and regular practise. The movements and exercise take care of the rest.

Ready, Steady... DIET !!! - A Few Celeb Ladies Talk About Their Diet Tips

2010-07-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

A few celeb ladies talk about their diet tips!

Pooja Bedi: Eat EVERYTHING! And then... work out, work out, work out!

Nicolette Bird: There’s gonna be loads of sweets, so go for it in limited amounts and make sure you’re on a treadmill the next day taking it all out!

Lubna Adams: Lots of watermelon juice through the day. Avoid fried stuff and down lots of water with khus or jal jeera.

Anju Taraporewala: Who diets with all the yummy goodies everywhere?? My only advice would be to enjoy everything... in moderation.

Queenie Dhody: Kalakand and gulab jamun! Haha!

Rashmi Uday Singh: Every day is Diwali for me. I have found that instead of dieting, if I drink lots of vegetable juices it really helps. Also I turn vegetarian for a couple of weeks. It’s a great way to detox.

Sharmila Khanna: The best would be to avoid carbs and desserts and do a lot of yoga and walking. But I’d be a lot thinner if I could avoid desserts!

Priya Kishore: I have a secret theory, that you can lose weight by sleeping!

Jesse Randhawa: Punjabi parathas with makkhan for breakfast and skimmed milk for dinner!

Bhavna Pandey: I’m the worst person to take tips from but the best is to enjoy and eat sweets in moderation; and then work your butt off the next day!

Gayatri Joshi: Don’t drink too much, have light dinners, resist the mithais and go on a detox diet post heavy meals.

Raageshwari Loomba: For the coming season, I’m ‘dieting’; and by that I mean I will ‘die eating’!

Deanne Pandey: Be careful about what you eat. Nowadays a lot of sweets are made that are low-cal and low-fat. People with a sweet tooth should be just a little wary and not use this season as an excuse to gorge unhealthily. Mithais can be made with sweeteners and skimmed milk and these are just as yummy!

Dance, Swim and Jog for Mental and Physical Well-Being: Dipannita Sharma

2010-07-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

Fitness is about looking good, but more importantly it’s about feeling good. “Fitness means mental and physical well-being. Fitness is about looking good, but more importantly it’s about feeling good! It also means glowing skin and feeling good from within. Beauty is something that speaks of good health and an inner radiance that shines through.

Dancing her way to fitness

I am blessed with a slim figure and weight has never been an issue. I am not the kind who is fond of exercising in gym. I feel fitness has to be a pleasurable experience. For three months at a stretch, every year, I workout at a gym regularly. I am fond of dancing and I believe that’s best of form exercise. Currently, I am learning Latin ballroom dance, earlier I attended Latin Bhangra classes. Dancing works your muscles and you lose inches.

I have also learnt Tai chi and I practice it at home. It not only relieves stress, but also creates an inner peace. When you are at peace with yourself, you are in touch with yourself and then can lead life to the fullest .The basic objective of tai chi is to increase awareness of energy in the body. It is the mother of all martial arts and believes not only in self-defence but in the cultivation of energy and peace of mind.

Combine Swimming with Evening Jogs

Whenever I feel a little overweight the best thing to do is hit the swimming pool. I find gym workouts too mechanical. Swimming not only provides a full body workout but it also has a therapeutic effect on me. I try to combine that with evening jogs and a little care in terms of diet.There are times when I omit fried or sweets entirely from my diet. For all those who want to look gorgeous and fit stay away from desserts at least a month. Team that with a jog and swim and you're sure to look great.

Diet

I am a non-vegetarian, I believe in eating everything in moderation. I start my day with a glass of water. I drink lots of water through out the day, as water is very essential for the skin regeneration. Then I have tea a cup of tea. Breakfast is toast, egg and sometimes pan cake. I have two proper meals in a day. I cut down calories of one meal and gorge on the other. I am a rice eater and for lunch I eat rice, dal, fish curry or chicken. In the evenings, I have rotis and chicken or dal. I avoid red meat. I love fried food but I consciously avoid it. I eat sweets once in while.

Mind

I love music and it’s my favorite way to beat stress. Also, I am fond of reading and watching movies. After marriage, my hubby and I enjoy traveling to exotic places, which is great fun and a perfect way to unwind.

Spirituality

For me, spirituality is about taking out time for myself and focusing all my thoughts into one particular thing. I make sure I get at least 15 to 20 minutes of that 'me time' everyday. I prefer to analyse my actions and know myself better. I am not into rituals at all, though I do pray daily. When I go to Assam, my home, I do visit temple of Khamakhya Devi as I find lot of peace there.”

Arjan Bajwa Practices Martial Arts and is a Black Belt in Taekwando

2010-07-19T05:12:00.000-07:00

I begin my day with:
A light workout at home and a few minutes of meditation. I try and do a little bit of neck exercises the moment I get out bed. It takes out all the stiffness I may have from sleeping in the wrong posture.

Breakfast is:
A bowl of muesli and fresh juice followed by a cup of tea and some toast. Eggs are mostly a part of my breakfast in boiled or half fried form.

When I am shooting:
I lunch on oil-free food. If there is a nice cafeteria around it's a blessing in disguise. I like to order from Subway.

Dinner is:
Light, salads and soups. If I feel hungry in the night I binge on muesli.

My fitness regimen consists of:
Weight-training and cardio at least four to five days a week. Apart from that I'm into martial arts. I am a black belt in Taekwando.

I hate:
Anything spicy. I like milk products but the smell of certain types of cheese puts me off.

When I am shooting I always carry:
Premixed coffee sachets as I like my coffee mostly dark and strong. Coffee served on the sets is mostly doodh mein coffee. Thankfully there are a lot of cafes around now.

Sunday lunch is mostly:
Sinfully rich parathas or pastas. It is the one day I stuff myself and don't worry about how my face will look the next morning.

In my fridge you'll always find:
Red wine, mint chutney, milk, olives and barbeque sauce. I know some are all sinful but that's why I have them stocked. I like to store nuts and biscuits in the fridge as they remain fresh and crunchy.

Click here for Recipe of Arjan Bajwa's Favourite Dish - Tandoori Fish

Simple Make-up Tips to Keep You Looking Fresh and Attractive at all Times

2010-07-17T05:07:00.000-07:00

Beauty SOS - Here are simple make-up tips to keep you looking fresh and attractive at all times

Channel your beauty regime to look great in a matter of minutes. It is all about refining your make-up technique.

MAKE-UP STARTER

Start with a moisturiser that has a built-in foundation. Make-up expert Cory Walia says, “Use products that do double duty. Mineral make-up is the best for that Use a mineral make-up base powder. It effectively covers pigmentation and unevenness. Carry it around in your purse for whenever you need it. With this as a base, apply a nice thick line of eyeliner on your upper eyelid, and apply shimmery lip-gloss for a quick make-up fix for your face.”

HIDE TIRED EYES

If dark circles are an issue, here’s how you can look alive after a long night. First soothe your fatigued eyes by pressing cool chamomile tea bags or chilled cucumber slices over them. Then, massage in a base foundation and apply concealer on the dark circles. Use a light brush or your fingers to smoothen it out. Says hair and make-up expert Ruhi Bindra, “Use a nice under-eye cream and make sure that you use waterproof eye make-up, specially during the rain, as you don’t want your mascara streaking down your cheeks.”

GET ANGELINA-JOLIE LIPS

For that luscious pout, all you need is a good plumping fix. Line your lips a little outside your natural lip line and fill in with lipstick. “Use lip tints that not only colour, but moisturise as well. Lighter shades of lipstick will make your lips look bigger. Don’t use very creamy lipstick, as there are chances of it bleeding. Use red lipstick for instant glamour. Finish with dotting lipgloss in the centre on your lower lip for that bee-stung effect,” says Ruhi.

GET AN INSTANT GLOW

If your skin looks lacklustre, use a loofah in the shower to get rid of those dead skin cells. And naturally healthy and glowing skin, is the best make-up, says Cory. “Exfoliate your skin often, and with time the skin texture and tone will improve. Apply a shimmery body lotion all over to instantly brighten your complexion. Always use a foundation which is closest to your skin tone. Do not overdo the mascara and kajal part. You can finish off with a bronzer for that delicious, sun-kissed look,” adds Cory.

HERE IS THE FIVE-MINUTE MAKE-UP PLAN:

Apply a tinted moisturiser over your fresh, clean face.

Eyes: Line your upper lid with a black, brown or dark blue eyeliner to make your peepers look bright. Brush some luminous shadow over your lid and finish off with black mascara to open up your eyes even more.

Cheeks: Dust some rouge or bronzer over your cheek bones to define and bring out the angles in your face.

Lips: Put on a lipstick that matches your dress, or simply use a shiny clear gloss to let your natural lip colour show. Apply gloss right in the centre of your mouth to give the impression of fuller, plumper lips.

DAB IT: Touch up your face every time it feels greasy

Rapid-Fire Fitness With Tusshar Kapoor

2010-07-16T04:22:00.000-07:00

The best medicine?
Yoga

An apple a day...
Is a good supplement for a meal.

Sibling rivalry healthy or unhealthy?
Healthy to a point. And unhealthy if taken beyond that.

Like father like son or like sister like brother?
Like father like son.

If Popeye is to spinach, Tusshar Kapoor is to?
Pizza!

The best way to shed flab?
Cut out desserts.

Skip breakfast or skip dinner?
Skip dinner.

One vice that you'd like to quit?
I don't have any vices that I think I need to quit. I've quit rice, though.

If you were Gayab for a day you would...
Find out who my true friends are and where my true love lies.

Health or wealth?
Health.

Kareena Kapoor Beauty Facts For the "No Make-Up" Look

2010-07-16T04:02:00.000-07:00

The monsoon is the perfect time to experiment with make-up. Ditch the heavy eye shadows and the bright lip colours and opt for the rain-kissed look instead

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor recently confession that she looks her best sans make-up. Turns out the famous vegetarian might have more than her peaches-and-cream complexion and stress-free life working in her favour.

Here are three tips and tricks for those looking to recreate that fresh-faced look:

For the face:
Foundation and concealer are crucial when opting for the "no make-up" look. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry. Smooth a little concealer under the eyes and over blemishes. Most women make the mistake of opting for foundation several shades lighter than their natural skin tone, given our obsession with fair skin. The trick, according to make-up experts, is to actually get one shade darker than your skin tone. Apply a few dabs of foundation on the forehead, cheeks and the chin. Gently spread the foundation, using fingertips and pat with a sponge for a smooth finish.

For the eyes:
Ditch the black eyeliner, instead make mascara your friend. Make sure you invest in one that's waterproof to ensure you don't have those ugly streaks weeping down the side of your face when it rains.

For the lips:
Lighter skins can opt for nude lipstick shades with pink tints in them. Lip shades with red tints or browns are better suited to darker skins. Start by lining the lips with a nude liner and then fill in with colour. Add a dash of clear gloss over lips for a radiant look.

Final touch:
Lightly dust on some illuminator over cheekbones using a blush brush, and voila, you're good to go!

Buy Books Written By Kareena's Dietician Rujuta Divekar
Free Home Delivery - Cash on Delivery

Stress Can Throw Menstrual Cycle Off Track, a Holistic Lifestyle Can Help

2010-07-16T02:45:00.000-07:00

Stress cramping your style? Dr Kiran Coelho talks about how stress throws the menstrual cycle off track and how a holistic lifestyle can help

Recently, Dr Kiran Coelho, senior gynaecologist, met a patient who had a severe problem with her menstrual cycle. She went into amenorrhea, which essentially means that she had no periods for six to eight months. She was going through a stressful time with her boyfriend. Desperately wanting to lose weight, the girl developed an aversion to food and suffered from anorexia nervosa. Having prescribed basic yoga exercises, a planned diet and meditation, she gained 10 kilos without any medication. She regained her self-esteem and came to terms with the end of her relationship.

Whether it’s exams, job or relationship related, there is an established link between stress and the menstrual cycle. If your periods are irregular or you’ve started skipping them, there is a cause for alarm.

Stress affects the thyroid gland, which is the conductor of the orchestra of the human body. When the thyroid gland is affected, it results in either frequent or irregular periods or heavy bleeding or amenorrhea. In fact, the first sign of thyroid imbalance is irregular periods.

THE CAUSE

To understand where things go wrong, you should know how it works first:

» There is a finely tuned balance between a higher centre in the brain, the pituitary gland and the ovaries
» The higher centre has a releasing factor that acts on the pituitary gland, which produces a hormone
» The hormone orders an egg in the ovary to ripen
» Once the egg reaches 2 cm, it sends a smoke signal to the brain
» The brain sends marching orders for the egg to release.

If all this doesn’t work with military precision, then there is an imbalance in the body. The thyroid gland is also connected to the pituitary gland. The periods become irregular or stop showing up. If the egg doesn’t rupture, it accumulates in the ovary and ovulation doesn’t occur. Bad news.

This pile up of eggs that refuse to leave home leads to polycystic syndrome. One in five girls in the reproductive age group suffers from this. That isn’t the end of the problems though. The unripe egg is yet to unleash its fury. It produces male hormones which cause acne, weight gain and loss of hair on the scalp. And you can happily, and correctly, blame all this on stress. While it’s easy to moan about a busy schedule, ignoring the alarm signals can lead to severe repercussions. Take a firm decision to step back, smell the roses and calm down.

HEAL YOURSELF NATURALLY

The first thing that a doctor prescribes to her patients is a holistic lifestyle change. With discipline and commitment, it is possible to be problem-free within three to six months, depending on the severity. This includes a change in diet, a pumped up exercise plan and setting a regular sleep pattern. In fact, for adolescent girls, a lifestyle change is more important than giving hormones. The only time a girl is given hormones is if she suffers from severe bleeding or gross hirsutism and acne.

Here are the few steps you can take:

» Orchestrate a lifestyle change before resorting to medication
» Avoid self-medication, only painkillers for spasms are safe
» Avoid excessive salt and sugar
» Follow a Satvik diet (or Yogic diet) — it includes food that is basic and cooked using minimal heat. Without extensive processing, the food retains its natural form. Cow’s milk is the most complete and nourishing Satvik food, onion, garlic, red chillies and black pepper and other pungent and astringent spices are prohibited. Eat sprouts and green vegetables
» Exercise releases serotonin, a feel good hormone. A brisk walk for 30 minutes, five days a week will do the trick.
» Equip your mind to fight stress with meditation, pranayams and Vipassana. Follow this and your periods will become regular.

Dr Coelho, who deals with infertility, says 30 per cent of her patients suffer from sub-fertility or difficulty in conceiving. Of these, 80 per cent have polycystic syndrome and are stress related. They respond very well to the lifestyle change. They shed weight, have planned intercourse and conceive within a few months.

Excessive Workouts and Over-Training Can Lead To Severe Health Problems

2010-07-14T03:54:00.000-07:00

... Stop Before It’s Too Late

Workout-aholic filmi hunk John Abraham, who is skipping gym workouts and exhaustive training due to muscle fatigue, knows what it is to suffer a sports injury. Hottie Katrina Kaif does too, she is reportedly in bed after injuring her neck while working out. So far, stories of stars working towards acquiring washboard flat abs and a six-pack have always sent aspiring wannabes to the gyms to get those envious cuts and curves. But the ill-effects of excessive gymming will hopefully alert gymmers to the downside of excessive gymming.

John Abraham pumping 140 lbs dumbells in the gym

Gym-related injuries, say health experts and trainers, have after all become fairly common. Sports medicine specialist Dr Ameet Pispati says that he’s been witnessing an increase in the number of patients suffering gym-related injuries. “These days, everyone wants a well-chiselled body. It’s almost an obsession for them. For this, they are not only exercising, but overexercising and pushing their bodies to extreme levels without spending enough time to let their muscles recuperate or rest. As a result, they suffer from early burn-outs in the form of muscle fatigue. If it’s as serious as a muscle tear, only surgery can help.” Rehabilitation specialist, Dr Aashish Contractor adds that it’s important that people listen to their bodies. “Chronic injuries or over-use syndromes are a common fallout of rigorous over-training that result from repetitive use, stress and trauma to the soft tissues of the body. People push themselves beyond their body’s capabilities, and that results in muscular-skeletal injuries in the long-run. Intensity violation, where gymmers work out for more time than prescribed is also a common cause.” Fitness expert Nawaz Modi Singhania agrees. “People are succumbing to the pressures of looking good. They set unrealistic goals for themselves and then set out on gruelling exercise regimes. The usual problem is that if a trainer asks them to work out for 20 minutes, they try and double it to achieve faster results. They do not realise that the energy required for this high-intensity workout is not pulled from their body fat beyond a certain point, but from the muscles. Hence, instead of feeling refreshed, they will feel tired and drained of energy — indicators that something about the workout is not right,” she says.

Back pain, frozen shoulder, joint ache and feeling sore are some of the signs that one should pay heed to. But according to trainers, people often ignore their own body’s needs, and continue to push it even when their body sends out signals telling them to stop. This is a point echoed by clinical fitness specialist Namita Jain. “Too much, too soon is what they want and they pay a heavy price for it. Apart from pushing their bodies to the extremes, they do not compensate it with proper rest and most importantly, adequate diet. They go on high-protein diets, ignoring carbohydrates completely. Carbohydrate intake has to be maintained, otherwise it will accelerate the burn-out process of the body.” Namita also emphasises on the importance of working out under a well-trained fitness instructor. “Anyone who promises quick results should be totally avoided,” she adds.

The ill-effects of excessive gymming are more prominent in women, who may even suffer from hormonal imbalances. “Women often compromise when it comes to their diet and that in the long run can cause irreversible damage,” adds Nawaz.

Acquiring a well-toned fit body depends on several factors like an individual’s body type, lifestyle, food habits, work pressures, the intensity of workouts, the type of workouts and their duration. And in a bid to get sculpted bods, people often overlook these very vital elements.

SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR

- A muscle soreness that lasts for more than 24 hours

- Any acute or sudden pain in the muscle

- Difficulty in lifting weights, which you could have easily done earlier

- Any pain in the joints while running on the treadmill or on the stepper

- Extreme fatigue and feeling of exhaustion

- Irritability

- Change in sleeping and eating patterns

- Unsteady pulse

- (In women) Irregular menstruation cycle

- Frozen shoulder or stiffness in limbs

- Backache, especially lower back

Let Your Blood Type Decide Your Diet, Its a Favourite Among Hollywood Celebs

2010-07-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

Tired of different diets? Follow the blood type diet, a favourite among Hollywood celebrities. Allow your Blood Type Decide what you eat.

Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy follows the Blood Type diet to maintain her fitness

The blood group diet has long been the diet secret of many enviable Hollywood stars' bodies — now Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy admits she is a fan too. "My mum told me about Eat Right For Your Type, which shows you what to eat and what to avoid depending on your blood type," she said in a recent interview. "It's made such a difference to my energy levels. Now I believe in it 100 per cent." Other followers swear it works when it comes to shedding fat, boosting energy and even preventing illness.

WHY BLOOD TYPE DIET?

Each blood type evolved at a different point in history so we should adopt diets similar to those our ancestors had when our blood group evolved. By eating foods that your personal blood type can easily digest, you will lose weight, feel healthier and be happier.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE EATING?

BLOOD GROUP O'S PLAN
O is the oldest blood group, so people with this type feel best and stay slimmest on a 'hunter' type diet like our ancestors. Os tend to be high achievers with lots of energy and are very organised.

Drop a dress size: Follow a high-protein diet — being vegetarian will mean you're always hungry and snack on carbs, causing problems with blood sugar and metabolism.

Foods to eat freely: Lean meats, fish.

Foods to avoid: Too much dairy or carbs.

Personal exercise plan: An hour of cardio a day and workout in the morning rather than the evening. Jogging, cycling, swimming or brisk walking are also perfect.

BLOOD GROUP B'S PLAN
No blood type epitomises the ‘everything in moderation’ expression more than B. It evolved at a time when people travelled more, so meat, vegetables and grains were eaten in a more balanced way. You have a strong, healthy constitution and tend to be very down-to-earth and practical.

Drop a dress size: Combining the O and A diet — a bit of everything. Lucky type Bs generally find it easiest to lose weight.

Foods to eat freely: Meat, fish, coffee, vegetables and wheat-free grains.

Foods to avoid: Processed foods.

Personal exercise plan: You're drawn to moderate exercise, which uses your brain as well as your body. Team sports such as netball or dancing classes, two to three times a week are perfect.

BLOOD GROUP A'S PLAN
This blood group evolved later than O, when people farmed more than hunted, so you need less protein and more grains. Group As tend to be highly creative, good problem-solvers and can be very sensitive.

Drop a dress size: Eat less meat and more vegetables, wholemeal carbs. Foods to eat freely: Nuts, seeds, cereals, pasta, fruit and vegetables.

Foods to avoid: Dairy if prone to allergies, too much meat.

Personal exercise plan: Group As are often less active than Os, needing just 30 minutes of gentle exercise a day. Yoga, Tai Chi, walking and an outdoor lifestyle suit As best.

BLOOD GROUP AB'S PLAN
A combination of types A and B, you have dietary components of both and can eat just about anything. ABs have a canny knack of being creative, having a good head for business and getting on with people.

Drop a dress size: Avoid too much meat. Pack your diet with vegetarian foods and treat meat as a treat.

Foods to eat freely: Fish, vegetables, carbs and grains.

Foods to avoid: Too much meat.

Personal exercise plan: Mix it up by appealing to your calm side with yoga or Pilates once a week and a couple of sessions of something more intense such as light jogging.

CELEB FOLLOWING

These stars followed a blood group diet and got themselves in shape

• Demi Moore, 47, found the weight stayed off when she switched to a blood type diet.

• Liz Hurley, 45, and her former boyfriend Hugh Grant are said to share a fondness for the diet as a weight-loss strategy.

• Courteney Cox-Arquette, 46, who shed pounds after the birth of her daughter is also said to be a fan.

'Eat Right For Your Type' Book available on Amazon.com. Get Details >>

Shilpa Shetty Launches a New Weight Loss Programme Called 'Inch Loss Wrap' at her Spa, Iosis

2010-07-09T04:45:00.000-07:00

Bollywood diva Shilpa Shetty and Cosmetologist Kiran Bawa demonstrated the unique Inch Loss Wrap (ILW) system introduced by their spa IOSIS MediSpa. IOSIS is the only spa in India, which will offer this non-invasive service at their centers in Khar, Ghatkopar and Andheri.

Shilpa Shetty at the Launch of 'Inch Loss Wrap' at her spa, Iosis, on Thursday, 8th July 2010.

Shilpa informs “During my travels abroad, I came across this unique system of inch loss, which impressed me no end. Having tried it myself, I was amazed at the results and resolved to introduce it in India. The system was combined with our existing weight loss program, and a study was conducted on its efficacy. After suitable R&D, The Inch Loss Wrap was soft launched at the Khar and Ghatkopar centres of IOSIS. The results have been phenomenal and we are very proud to offer it to our esteemed clientele.”

Dr. Sushant Shetty, COO – IOSIS Medispa adds, “The wrap is scientifically proven and absolutely safe for the Body. The Inch Loss Wrap is all about draining the toxins that are accumulated in our body for a long time. Toxins are usually the metabolic waste generated by the body. These toxins build up over a long period and are stored in interstitial fluid between the fat cells. Due to accumulation of these toxins the person looks fatter. The ILW does not alter fat cells i.e. there is no breakdown of fat cells. It reduces the size of the fat cells and thus brings about an inch loss. It must be clearly understood that this wrap does not induce a weight loss but only an inch loss. When combined with an appropriate weight loss program, the end results are mind boggling.

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“Bandages soaked in a special solution are wrapped around the body for 60 min. Toxins in the body are attracted to this solution. The interstitial fluid gets repealed and only the toxins get attracted. As the toxins are removed from the interstitial fluid, the fat cells get compacted. We assure a minimum 6 inch loss (from head to toe) in one session; these results will remain for a month as long as the weight is maintained,” concludes Dr. Shetty.

Bipasha Basu's Fitness Clothing Line BBloveyourself Launched, Have A First Look

2010-07-07T10:46:00.000-07:00

Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu has launched her own line of fitness clothing named "BBloveyourself" along with Reebok

A first look at Bipasha Basu's BBloveyourself fitnessware

"I have launched my own line of fitness clothing called BBloveyourself with Reebok! Fun range, available at all outlets. Check it out," she posted on microblogging site Twitter.

A self-confessed fitness freak, the actress had earlier released a fitness DVD with the same title. Get details of Bipasha's fitness DVD here

"Fitness and health are becoming really big in India. Everybody wants to be fit. I'm glad I came out with my health video at this time," she had said.

Nails Carry Tell-Tale Signs of Other Diseases. Know Them To Nail Them

2010-07-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

Clean and well-manicured nails often help make a good impression and we often spend a lot of time and effort in trying to beautify them. But nails are more indicative about a person than just the hygiene habits. They are also good health indicators and a sure give-away for many diseases.

These symptoms are different from the nail-related diseases and it’s important to be able to read the correct tell-tale signs, as they may warn you about a disease that you may be unaware of. Though the nail in itself is nothing but a dead tissue, the areas under the cuticle and the nail are alive and these areas make the nail vulnerable to damage or infection. Hence, diseases can easily manifest on nails.

“It is true that nails often give us clues to diseases in the body. Not only do they tell you about your present health, but also about your past trauma or illness. For instance, horizontal lines and depressions medically termed as Beau’s lines can tell you about your past illness or white spots/white lines on a nail suggests a random injury to the nail bed,” says health writer Dr Parul R Sheth.

Calling them windows to an individual’s overall health, head of dermatology Dr Nina Madnani explains, “When we examine a patient we always examine the nails too. Like the skin, nails are excellent indicators of what’s going on inside your body. If your nails are healthy — smooth and pink with a slightly curved surface — your body is probably healthy too.”

Talking about the possible reasons, she adds, “The discolouration or disfiguration could be due to several reasons and they may be systemic or a result of a local nail infection. For example, the yellowing of nails could be due to excessive use of nail polish or nail hardeners, but it could also indicate jaundice.”

Nails also tend to absorb various substances, so it isn’t uncommon to notice slight discolouration in the nails of a person who smokes regularly or a person who deals with certain chemicals having nails of a bluish tinge. “Any change in tone and texture should be looked into immediately,” says dermatologist, Dr Sunil Tahiliani.

WHAT NAILS INDICATE:

If you have brittle nails, then you may be iron deficient. They are also indicators for biotin deficiency, kidney disorder, thyroid or circulation problems.

Thickening of nails indicate circulation problems.

Concave nails (bent inwards) are a symptom of iron deficiency and/or lack of vitamin B12.

The deficiency of vitamn C causes the nails to split or become frayed. They could also indicate psoriasis, or lack of folic acid and proteins. Clubbing of nails could be because of oxygen deficiency in the body, due to lung,
heart or liver problems. Nails with pits are usually a symptom of psoriasis. Lines and grooves on the nails are often associated with various diseases. The vertical ridges appear due to arthritis, while horizontal ridges are a result of too much stress. B12 deficiency is signified by dark nails. Pale nails could be due to anaemia or problems with the kidneys/liver. Red nails are often due to heart disease. Blue nail beds are the result of lack of oxygen in the blood, most likely due to asthma, emphysema or other lung and heart diseases.

Grey nail beds are a symptom of diseases like arthritis, glaucoma, cardio diseases or excessive malnutrition.

Yellow nail beds indicate liver disorders, diabetes, lymphatic diseases or chronic bronchitis.

TAKING CARE:

It is very important to take good care of nails and not ignore or avoid any symptom, but some of the symptoms can also appear in healthy individuals. So, don’t be alarmed at every slight change or if you happen to have some of these symptoms.

“Though nails sometimes do tend to change colour sometimes, it’s better not to ignore it only if the change seems permanent. Often, women tend to hide any discolouration or disfiguration by painting the nails. Ignoring such signs and viewing them as only an aesthetic problem could be dangerous for your health and may only worsen the condition. The wise thing to do is visit your doctor to rule out all causes of the abnormality,” says Dr Madnani.

DIET FOR HEALTHY NAILS:

While eating right may not cure the symptoms if they are a manifestation of some internal disease, it is important to eat right to avoid deficiencies of iron and vitamins. According to Dr Sheth, “Nail health is greatly influenced by a healthy, balanced nutrition. Lack of vitamins and other essential nutrients will naturally reflect on your nail health. A diet rich in iron, zinc and calcium is recommended for healthy and strong nails. Protein-rich foods are an excellent source of biotin, a part of vitamin B-complex, essential for healthy nails. These include eggs, soy bean flour and milk. Vitamin A too, promotes healthy nails. It can be had from carrots, green and leafy veggies — spinach and broccoli.”

Sexy Bruna Abdullah Shares Beauty and Fitness Tips

2010-07-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

Do you follow a diet to stay in shape?
I eat healthy. I eat junk food once a week. When you are dieting, stop thinking that you are dieting. The very thought will stop you from dieting. If you decide to diet, then you decide, don't let other people tell you to. Try and work out. If you can't go to the gym, then walk or try cycling. It is very healthy. Eat healthy.
It is very easy but we make it difficult.

How do you maintain your skin and hair?
I think I have to give credit to my dad. He is too good-looking. I have his looks. Apart from that I try to sleep early and wake up early. I recently started visiting the gym. I eat properly: breakfast, lunch and two snacks, so that I don't stuff myself with dinner. I drink a lot of water. I make sure that I remove my make-up as soon as I am home. I wear an eye cream -- doesn't have to be an expensive one -- before I sleep. A little bit of personal care and hygiene is very important. Sometimes when you overdo it, it doesn't work. Keep your mind free because you get pimples and acne because of stress. I am a very hyper person, so I look for things that will keep me calm, like chamomile tea. It also depends on your lifestyle. For example, I don't smoke, so that helps.

Shankar Mahadevan's Recipe of His Favourite Dish 'Spicy Thai Green Curry'

2010-07-04T02:46:00.000-07:00

Celeb Cook-in introduces you to the lesser-known foodie hidden in our better-known faces

Shankar Mahadevan, Singer and Composer

MY FAVOURITE DISH

“I can’t resist spicy green Thai curry. It’s so tempting. The coconut flavour makes this a truly enjoyable dish. And of course, I have a weakness for anything with chocolate.”

I LIKE TO EAT AT I

“I have a thing for Chinese food, so it has to be Royal China, Mumbai. It’s a place where I can have good food and relax with my family.”

MY FAVOURED CUISINE

“I’m a true South Indian at heart and I love to eat South Indian food — dosas, idlis, vadas. The secret of a good dosa is the chutney. I make very good chutneys.”

MY NON-FOOD PASSION

“I love music, it’s in my soul. But I love cooking. Being in the kitchen is perhaps the best way to relax. I also love watching cookery shows.”

BEST MEAL I’VE EVER HAD

“It was at a small Chinese dhaba close to Great Wall of China. We were surprised at the dishes that they doled out. They were simply amazing.”

MY FAVOURITE RECIPE

“Green Thai curry.”

Shankar’s Thai green curry, chicken with jasmine rice

Green Curry Paste

INGREDIENTS: I Onion: 60 gms I Garlic: 40 gms I Galangal: 60 gms I Green chilli: 25 gms I Big green chilli: 30 gms I Kaffir lime leaves: 20 gms I Lemon grass: 30 gms I Coriander roots: 20 gms I Coriander: 20 gms I Coriander seeds: 20 gms I Cumin seeds: 20 gms.

THAI GREEN CURRY, CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS: I Curry paste: 70 gms I Coconut milk:100 ml I White eggplant (diced): 50 gms I Pea aubergines:50 gms I Thai chili diamond: 10 gms I Sweet basil:15 gms I Chicken: 200 gms I Light soy sauce:10 ml.

JASMINE RICE

INGREDIENTS: I Jasmine rice: 100 gms I Water: 2 times of rice. METHOD I Boil together onion, garlic, and galangal. I Blanch green chili and keep aside. I Blend the ingredients to a fine paste. I In a heavy bottom pan, add oil, sauté paste, coconut milk and stock.I Keep cooking till curry starts leaving oil. I In a separate pan, add curry and pea aubergine, white eggplant and boil the curry. I Add chicken and cook.I Finish with Thai chili and sweet basil and light soy sauce.I Serve hot with jasmine rice

JASMINE RICE

METHOD: I Wash, drain jasmine rice. I In a rice cooker, place drained rice and add two times the water by quantity and cook till rice gets done.

Yoga to Belly Dancing - People Are Shunning Gyms For More Interesting Forms of Workouts

2010-07-04T00:55:00.000-07:00

GYM memberships are going down as people opt for fitness forms like yoga, dancing, Pilates and kickboxing, confesses the manager of an elite New Delhi-based gym. On the other hand, he says, fitness classes are usually full. Finally, one can give the gym a miss, as an increasing number of people shift from gyms to other ‘interesting’
forms of workouts. Belly dance classes, aerobics, swimming, running, spinning and Pilates routines are popular. Admits socialite Kitty Kalra, who is a fitness buff but hates the traditional gym routine, “I now focus on Pilates and power yoga. I believe in a variety of workouts since I get bored easily. It keeps my energy and interest going!” Several people confess that they started their fitness routine with a gym but then soon tired of it. Actor Shah Rukh Khan too was recently advised to try belly dancing to maintain his abs.

Similarly, Ponds Femina Miss India World Manasvi Mamgai swears by her group workout sessions. She can’t imagine herself doing weights in the gym, all by herself. “I really look forward to working out with friends. It’s an amazing
stress buster. Also, I can’t imagine only doing weights and other machines. Group workouts keep me motivated. I do tai chi, aerobics, power yoga and even belly dancing.”

C o n f e s s e s Seema Katyal, mother of three, “My friends and I go for regular walks. We don’t like gymming, but wanted to follow some health routine. On weekends, we even hold breathing classes. We challenge each other to keep up the motivation." B e s i d e s b o r e d o m , there are other factors that lead to g y m f at i g u e. Tollywood a c t r e s s Anushka Shetty has been burning out in the gym to look good on screen. But she now complains of a torn cartilage and has put on a few kilos due to lack of exercise. Hers is not an isolated case. Many people suffer from side-effects of gymming. Also, the workouts are mechanical and there’s not much scope for creativity. Explains yoga master Bharat Thakur, “I recently uploaded some YouTube videos on my workout. One needs proper instructors in a gym and they are not always available. I constantly innovate to ensure that people don’t get bored.”

Many men are turning towards football, cricket, kickboxing and women towards yoga and dancing.

Fitness expert Deanne Pandey advises people to be careful about deciding their workouts. She says, “I used to be a hardcore gym person but now I also follow Iyengar yoga and Pilates. Both are intelligent forms of workouts." She warns, “You cannot just decide one fine day to quit gymming and go for a sports activity or alternate group workouts. It can lead to injuries. It’s important to secure your muscles and joints.”

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Sonam Kapoor's Seven Hair Care Tips

2010-06-27T04:08:00.000-07:00

Sonam Kapoor: The Girl With The Beautiful Hair

1-Eat healthy, have multivitamin and cod liver oil capsules and use L’Oreal. It is the best hair treatment.

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2-Almond hair oil is the best to use. Use Elvive shampoo and conditioner by L’Oreal according to your hair type. Comb only after drying.

3-Protect hair with sun block and if one has dry hair, then apply leave-in conditioner to the ends.

4-Keep in mind your face cut, thickness of hair, height and build, and of course, your style quotient while going for a haircut/hairstyle change.

5-Colouring/ straightening/ perming hair permanently is completely possible with the right products and hair care.

6-Accessorise your hair with hair bands, jewels, combs, braids or beads.

7-My secret: I always plait my hair before sleeping. That's the best way to avoid breaking the hair.

Source: http://www.sonam-kapoor.net/article.php/2010/06/26/sonam-kapoor-s-seven-hair-care-tips.html

Moisturise Daily For Wrinkle-Free Skin.

2010-06-25T04:01:00.001-07:00

Moisturising Daily is More Than Enough to Keep Wrinkles at Bay

Want Skin Free of Wrinkles - Use a Moisturizer daily

If you are one of the many women who often tend to sacrifice their daily detailed beauty regimes at the altar of their hectic and busy work schedules, then don’t panic at the thought of what lies ahead for your skin. Even if you are just regular with your daily moisturising routine, and can manage to steal even a minute to rub it in, then Botox may not have to be on your list of must-dos for quite a long time. The key to staving off wrinkles, it seems, is simple and less expensive. Skin scientists now claim that a normal moisturiser is more than enough to smoothen the face. In the first long-term study, which measured the speed of wrinkle development, scientists discovered that dry skin more than doubles the speed at which wrinkles develop. And the experts found that women with wellhydrated facial skin develop wrinkles much slower than those with dry skin.

According to the study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, for a typical 28-year-old woman with dry skin, the amount of visible wrinkle increase by 52 per cent by the time she reaches 36. But her wrinkles would increase by just 22 per cent at age 36, if she had well-hydrated skin, the scientists said.

Dr Greg Hillebrand, lead author of the paper on the study of 122 women, aged between 10 and 72, said, “The results suggest that the quality of the stratum corneum — the skin’s outer layer — can profoundly affect the rate at which expression or temporary lines turn into persistent wrinkles.”

Explaining further, he adds, “It stands to reason that women, and probably men, can dramatically delay the age of onset of persistent wrinkles, by protecting their skin daily with an effective moisturiser and sunscreen lotion from an early age, although it is never too late to nurture your skin and protect against wrinkles.”

Don't Blindly Follow The Workouts of Stars, Plan a Regime That Fits You

2010-06-25T01:46:00.000-07:00

DON’T JUST FOLLOW THE STARS

Everybody wants to have a body like that of a hot star. But don’t ape their workouts blindly

In the eighties, Jane Fonda came out with a workout video, making aerobics a rage across the country. It even found takers in Bollywood. Several celebs, including Rekha, are known to have adopted Fonda’s mantras, dished out on videos, as their fitness regime. Jane Fonda's DVDs are available at amazon.com. click here for details >>

The glam babes also popularised their own signature fitness mantras. Size zero queen Kareena Kapoor and the actress with the washboard flat abs, Shilpa Shetty, made yoga a rage. [Shilpa's Yoga DVD - Buy From Amazon.com >>]

Bipasha Basu not only has her own personalised fitness mantra — a mix of cardio, yoga and weight training — but also popularises it through her workout DVDs. While Asin swears by the ancient martial arts form of Kalaripayattu, Masumeh prefers kickboxing. For Sameera Reddy, it’s swimming that’s worked wonders.

And while these celebs flaunted their toned figures, little did the public realise that each one of these celebs achieved the targetted look through workout regimes modulated for his/her specific body type.

Most people hit the gym or start a fitness regime with a goal in mind. The means to the end are not factored in, says fitness experts. “I want a workout like Aamir’s or the same regime that Kareena follows... I want a body like Suriya’s or a figure like Bipasha...” are the common requests.

Herein lies the problem, not all workout regimes work the same wonders for different people. Says Bipasha Basu, “Every individual has a different body mass, weight, bone density and stamina. These are the key things that help a person decide which workout will suit him/her best. Every individual needs a different workout depending on the body’s requirement. It’s very important that you recognise your body type and then figure out an exercise regime that’s best for your body, with your instructor.”

Sameera Reddy, who lost oodles of weight after years of struggling to shed the kilos, says it’s all thanks to perfecting the right workout. “Just as people are conscious about what they wear, it’s equally important to realise what’s best for your body. After trying out several work-outs, I found that what works for me is a combination of swimming and yoga. So, now I stick to that and it has worked wonders for me. ” Of late, Shahid Kapoor’s been flaunting an eight-pack. But these chiselled abs were not the aim of his workout, he maintains. Instead, they were a by-product of his regime, which focussed on stamina and endurance. “My aim was to build stamina and the abs are just a by-product. The aim should never be the cuts, but endurance and fitness,” says Shahid. Agrees Asin, who quips, “The idea should be to be fit and healthy and not to be size zero.” According to Dr Preeti Verma, “Often, in a bid to copy fitness fads made famous by screen stars, people overlook their own body requirements and body types. Ideally, any workout should be planned keeping in mind your age and weight. Following the wrong workout can cause more harm than good. It is always better to understand your body before zeroing in on a workout. Screen celebs should be treated as inspiration, not the goal.”

Explains gym instructor Reema Tyagi, “The purpose of any workout is to feel good — mentally and physically. It’s more important to be fit and healthy, rather than to get into a very small dress size.”

Figuring out the right fitness programme, though, should not be a DIY exercise.

Says Kiran Bose, a 28-year-old entrepreneur, “Some months ago, I had noted down Shilpa Shetty’s diet and workout regime, that she had revealed in one of her interviews. Without consulting an instructor, I started following the same diet, and even the workouts and yoga asanas. Not much later, I fainted during one of the workouts and had to be rushed to the hospital.” Since then, Kiran has been very careful and runs a new exercise by her instructor before incorporating it in her workout.

And expert guidance is not just required for heavy duty cardio and weight training. Even yoga is best done under trained supervision. But the trouble is that there are way too many qualified trainers flooding the market, says ashtanga vinyasa yoga expert, Dipika Mehta. “In the west personal weight reduction regimes are regulated, unlike in India, where most people are not even aware of their body. They just read in books about Kareena Kapoor’s suryanamaskars and start doing the same. What is important is not the number of suryanamaskars you do, but the alignment of your body as you do it.”

BIPASHA'S TIPS

Before starting to work out, sit down with your fitness instructor and chalk out a proper work-out schedule, keeping in mind your body type.

Your aim should not be that of acquiring a body to look like so-and-so, but to get a healthy, fit and toned body.

It’s important to wear the right shoes and the correct exercising gear.

It’s very important to maintain the correct postures and use the right breathing techniques to get the best results. These will help avoid injuries as well.

Eating healthy is as important as adopting a healthy lifestyle. So, get your six to seven hours of sound sleep.

Avoid alcohol and smoking.

Start your gymming session with a warm-up to avoid injuries.

Avoid talking excessively while exercising.

Maintain a healthy diet and make sure your intake of vitamins, proteins and carbs is right.

Avoid intake of steroids to beef up your body. Stay natural.

Keep yourself stress-free and adopt a positive attitude in life.

Bipasha Basu Has Launched Her Own Fitness DVD 'Fit & Fabulous You'
Fit & Fabulous You is a do-it-yourself DVD devised for a workout which promises to cut fat and tone up muscles. The DVD has 60 minutes of workouts. The first half is for beginners and the second for advanced workouts. The video was shot in Delhi last year and also features interviews and diet tips from Bipasha and fitness expert Deanne Pandey. For More Details Click Here >>

To Buy the Fitness DVD on Amazon.com. Click Here >>

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‘I Get Hyper If I Don’t WORK OUT’ Says Kajol as She Talks About Fitness During Pregnancy and After Child Birth

2010-06-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

And keeping her mind active is equally important to Kajol

YUM MUM: Kajol

For the vivacious Kajol, fitness is a great love. The actress who made a successful comeback post-delivery, loves working out. “Getting back in shape after having a child is not an easy task. And I realised that when my doctor told me how much my daughter weighed, which meant that all those extra kilos were for me to shed. When I decided to return to films, I had to work really hard to lose all that excess weight. I’ve always enjoyed working out, so I hit the gym with a vengeance and controlled my intake of food as well. I spent a lot of time in my effort to get back in shape. That helped me lose inches. I realised, though, that there’s no shortcut to losing weight or getting a svelte figure. I’d advise pregnant women to keep themselves active as much as they can. You need to get in shape after your delivery or you’ll regret it later,” she says.

The talented actress, who is now pregnant with her second child, doesn’t work out as much as before, but makes sure that she hits the gym in her house every day. Having had a personal trainer to help her exercise for several years, Kajol now enjoys working out on her own now. “After a couple of years, you know what suits your body best. Now, unless I’m training for a movie role, I avoid a trainer.”

A self-confessed fitness addict, Kajol adds, “The one hour I spend working out daily is very important to me. I have a lot of excess energy within me and working out is a great way to release it. I get hyper if I skip a day at the gym; unable to concentrate on anything. Even reading a book gets difficult because I feel agitated.”

Working out is also the best stressbuster for her. “Working out is a great way to destress. I value and enjoy the time when I’m working out by myself. It is my way of letting go of all my stress and balance my day perfectly. Having a good gym at home helps, and I make the most of it. Although these days, I’m going a little easy since I’m pregnant,” says Kajol.

And while she is known for her great love for reading, Kajol also loves to keep her mind active. “Working out the mind is as important as working out the body, and I do both regularly. I solve the sudoku and crossword puzzles every day and keep my mind stimulated.”

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[Try this book for tips on how to keep fit during and after pregnancy:
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Amrita Rao's Summer Beauty Tips For Tanned Skin and Scruffy Hair

2010-05-27T01:43:00.000-07:00

Even though summer comes every year, it's hard not to complain about it. What with its innumerable consequences of sweat grime and the constant skin issues. Staying fresh and beautiful seems like the hardest thing, how do these celebrities look like the sun never touched them? The beautiful Amrita Rao reveals her summer mantras just for you.

Scruffy hair:
The most common complaint of summer time weather is the dull and lifeless hair it gives us. Though keeping your scalp clean is the way to go, if greasy hair is your problem, then maybe some baby powder to do the trick or like Amrita Rao says, "Carry a trendy hairband or a bandana with which you can quickly tie your hair".

Tanned skin and blemishes:
Summertime leads to that god awful tan, something that refuses to go away, no wonder then the trick is to keep either the sun away or to simply use protection against it. A good sunscreen with high SPF is just the trick but understand not all sunscreens may be good for you, Amrita advices "Understand what skin type you are and then use good products that suit your skin." So if you have an oily skin, go for more matte creams. Though prevention is always better, if you can afford to avoid the sun, it's the perfect solution and Amrita's way to go in summers as she says, " I chill in summers by spending time indoors, I avoid walking in the sun even if it's shopping, I would go to a malls, even if it is outside the country."

Recommended Sunscreen

Loving Naturals Organic
SPF 30 Sunscreen Zinc Oxide 4 Oz.
UVA/UVB Vegan

Scorched and Parched:
It's important to stay hydrated. All that sweating can make your water levels fall drastically leading to dull skin, parched throat and rising body temperature. It's important to maintain your cool and your favourite drink should be the good ole H2O as Amrita reveals, "Have lots of water and wear appropriate clothes that protects you from the sun. My favourite thing to eat in the summer would be a lot of cucumber slices, lime juice or coconut water would be good." That should keep you fresh and cool, and if all this seems hard work maybe a good escape up north might be a good idea. So get your travel itineraries in order.

Aamir Khan Shares His Exercise Routine on His Blog, Starts Online Health Club

2010-05-21T23:14:00.000-07:00

Aamir Khan has planned an online health club on his blog [http://www.aamirkhan.com/blog] and facebook page [http://www.facebook.com/aamirkhan.com] where he would keep one and all updated about his health and fitness regimen while he answers questions about films and gives diet suggestions. Well it was regular facebook page but turned into "let's get fit" one thanks to Aamir's fans and his own need to get into shape.

This is what Aamir Khan Says:

First things first. Let me share with you what I learnt in the last few years in the process of building a physique, losing weight etc.

3 things are most important, and in that order:

1. A healthy and balanced diet.

2. Exercise.

3. Rest.

Actually exercise and rest are equally important, but the most important is a healthy and balanced diet.

1. A balanced and healthy diet.

The average person uses/spends around 1800 to 2000 calories per day. In order to lose weight you simply need to take in LESS than you spend. So consume less than 1800 calories in 24 hrs. But the ‘less’ calories you intake needs to be divided into fat, carbohydrates, and protein, and that’s where the word BALANCE comes in. A balanced diet is generally 1/3 fat, 1/3 Carbohydrates and 1/3 protein.

The best way to get a healthy and balanced diet for your self is to visit a qualified dietician. Not the dieticians who put you onto new fad diets, like high protein diets, low carb diets, blood group diets, don’t eat carbs at night diets, Atkins diet, Santa Barbara diets, ‘have this pill’ diet, ‘eat only ‘this’ one day and ‘that’ on another day’ diet, falana diet, dhamka diet etc.

No.

You need to visit a QUALIFIED dietician who gives you the good old fashioned CALORIE COUNT DIET.

A good dietician will insist on a check up BEFORE prescribing you a diet. So blood and urine test is standard, but in certain cases a sonography and other tests could also be required depending on your health situation.

The purpose of this is that your doctor needs to check your health BEFORE he can prescribe a diet. That’s where the word HEALTHY comes in. In case you have other health issues like thyroid, diabetes, heart problems, cholesterol, high BP, or anything else, then a good doctor will, through the diet, address your health issues if any AND reduce your weight. In certain cases if you have major health issues weight loss could be a problem, but that is only in very few cases I would imagine.

Each person and his/her situation is unique so therefore you cannot just follow what I am following.

Importantly, eating less is not a healthy balanced diet.

When you simply eat less and starve yourself your body goes into what I call ‘famine mode’ and actually starts to STORE fat. So not only do you not lose weight but you also destroy your health. If you take starving to the extreme I suppose you would lose weight but you would probably begin by losing proteins (whereas you should be losing excess fat), and also you would end up looking (and in fact being) unwell and sick.

When I was following my diet I was eating every one hour AND LOSING WEIGHT. Eating frequent and correct small meals increases your metabolic rate and helps you to burn fat . eg during GHAJINI I was eating every HALF HOUR!!!

So step one - visit a qualified dietician in your locality. He/she will help you.

This entire process will take you at least a week, so I suggest you start fast. I would have a head start as I have done fresh tests and already have my diet.

The doctor I recommend in Bombay is Dr Dhurander in Santa Cruz. I will ask him for a web site which explains this in greater detail and maybe has a list of dieticians in diff parts of the country/world.

If you don’t follow an appropriate diet no matter how hard you workout you will not get the results you could/should be getting.

Water is a very important of my diet. I drink 3 to 4 liters of water a day.

What all this will cost?

My doctor charges Rs 1000/- for the first visit, and then Rs 500/- per month. And he changes your diet every one month.

2. Exercise.

This would depend on what you want to achieve.

For general fitness walking, jogging, swimming, or playing a sport, are all great exercise. So if you are not looking for anything particular then choose one.

Yoga is great too.

In case you are interested in body building, building muscle, shaping your body etc., then what worked for me is weight training.

And that is what I intend to restart.

For that, you need the right equipment and a good trainer.

So the easiest would be to join a gym and use one of the trainers there. If you cant afford that then do free hand. Pulls up, push ups, crunches etc.

One book I would strongly recommend to anyone who is training is ‘The Encyclopedia of Body Building’ by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

That says it all, so I don’t need to add anything here.

3. Rest.

The importance of rest is often underestimated. No matter how hard you train, if you don’t rest your body, it will not respond as well.

During GHAJINI, as a rule, I slept for 8 hours (at least) every night. And I did ‘shavaasan’ immediately post my bath after the training. Look up ‘shavaasan’ on the net.

So !!!

Are we ready?!!!

Lets make a group who decides to live healthy. Anyone who wants to join can.

Each one of us is responsible for figuring out a diet for ourselves, a workout/sport/walking schedule, and a rest schedule.

You decide what is good for you. And stick to it. And every night on fb I post how I fared that day and in response you comment on my post. That way all the comments are tagged together to my post in one space, and so it will be easier for all of us to stay together on this one topic. If one of us is finding it tough the others can encourage.

I start Monday! - To all those who are skeptical or nervous or think they cant achieve a great healthy body, or simply think the road ahead is too daunting, I have only one thing to say, “lets chase excellence success will follow”.

4 Year Old Ronak Vitha Does 70 Push-ups a Minute To Get Body Like Aamir Khan in Ghajini, He Eats Right Too

2010-05-20T03:45:00.000-07:00

Little Ghajini Ronak Vitha wants a body like his idol Aamir Khan. One of Aamir Khan's biggest fans, four-and-a-half year old Ronak Vitha, is planning to enter the India Book of Records by performing maximum pushups in a limited amount of time.

Trainer Satyajit Chaurasia, who gave Aamir his spectacular body for Ghajini, is preparing the boy for this feat.

Early start: Satyajit Chaurasia with Ronak Vitha

At it from two
Satya (as he is fondly called by his star clients) relates, "When Ronak's parents came to me four months ago, he could manage to do 600 pushups or dips but now he can do 1,500 push ups in 49 minutes. He said he was inspired by Aamir in Ghajini and started doing pushups since he was two. Ronak told me that he wanted to train under me as I had trained Aamir. I was impressed and signed him on. He is my youngest pupil."

The young boy doesn't just to have a body like Aamir, but also wants be the strongest child in the world. Satya adds, "Ronak wants to meet Aamir when he has time. He was inspired by his dips in Ghajini and started doing that as a baby. Now he's training basically is stretching, hanging for flexibility, pushups and yoga asanas.

I used to think that children can't do pushups but this little boy has shown me otherwise. In the last one year Ronak has grown 8 inches. He's flexible like Rubberman. He comes twice a week to my studio and works out for one hour and also takes lessons at home."

Like Aamir, he eats right too. Here is his diet chart
Breakfast: Cornflakes and milk and after exercise he had an egg with multigrain bread.
Lunch: Roti, sabzi and daal
Evening snack: Brown bread chutney sandwiches and an egg.
Dinner: Roti, sabzi and daal.
Satya adds, "Like every child, he loves the usual chocolates and ice-cream. I give him a chocolate after every workout.

Video of Ronak's Fast 70 Push-Ups in 54 seconds on 03-05-2010

Going for the records
Ronak's father, Atul Vitha, says, "We have sent Ronak's name for doing the maximum pushups in the least time in the India Book of Records and we hope he makes it. He's inspired by Aamir and his Ghajini look and wants to be as strong as him. He wants to become the strongest child in India and the world. Currently Ronak is studying in senior kindergarten."

Getting it right: Satyajit Chaurasia with Aamir Khan

One Exercise Routine To Release Out Toxins & Energise You Instantly is Pranayam: Amrita Rao

2010-05-10T00:50:00.000-07:00

Being fit is the in thing these days. But one is left confused about its definition. Is the new age Size Zero the way to go or being curvaceous is the hottest trend? Amrita Rao, who has been into health and fitness as a way of life presses on the need to be healthy and revel in that as she says, "Good health is celebration in itself ". She goes on reveal her fitness fundas and who her fitness icon in Bollywood is

Says Amrita, "Fitness is about building this stamina, this basic strength in itself that gives you the energy and that impetus to go out there and win the world and feel good about yourself." Clearly she isn't someone who is talking about just getting a bikini body or stressing on the need to constantly count calories, instead she stresses on the kind of health that gives you an edge.

So what keeps Amrita so svelte and lovely all the time? Revealing her fitness routine she says, "My fitness routine is working out, we do some weight training which is an alternate day session. So thrice a week I do shoulders, biceps and triceps. Just to feel good about myself and just to tone my body." Well, surely it's about commitment and dedication to spend at least a part of the day working out your body, so it can feel energized and healthy. As far as her radiant self goes, Amrita says, "One exercise that can charge you up and energise you instantly is Pranayam. All the toxins of your body are released making you fresh and vibrant."

Not the one to think twice before eating, Amrita is surely someone who is born with the perfect body but a lot of work goes into maintaining it. Says Amrita, "I don't count calories. I am a rice eater, so, just with a little bit of exercise I am good. I don't think twice before eating."

As far as the hottest body in the industry goes, Amrita is surely voting for John Abraham whom she considers as a fitness icon. So, what made her choose John? Replies Amrita, "When I saw John in Dostana, I saw a whole new John Abraham compared to what he was earlier. So, fit and a glowing complexion. He has really inspired me as a fitness icon.

Well, for a lot of women out there, it's you Amrita who's got the body to die for.

Freida Pinto's Beauty Tips

2010-05-10T00:33:00.000-07:00

Drink lots of water and eat fruits and vegetables to have a glowing skin, says "Slumdog Millionaire" star Freida Pinto who says she is not fond of cosmetics.

"I always wash my face before bed. I can't sleep with make-up on, even just a little bit. I like my skin clean. I wear sunscreen every day, that's my cardinal rule," contactmusic.com quoted Freida, 25, as saying.

"I don't have too many beauty tips and secrets because I am not fond of wearing too much make-up but the first would be to drink a lot of water because water really cleanses your system and it keeps you fresh and your eyes looking fresh. I also recommend adding a lot of fruit and vegetables to your diet and not making it too meat centric," she said.

Kangna Ranaut's Trainer Leena Mogre Talks About the Actor's Routine

2010-03-13T09:56:00.000-08:00

Kangana Ranaut Working out at Leena Mogre's Gym

From Fashion to Kites, actor Kangna Ranaut has always slipped into varied roles with ease. We ask her trainer Leena Mogre, what is Kangana's Fitness Regime and how she swings her curves...

Five years and a national award later, Kangna Ranaut’s journey in filmdom is taking her to new heights. The actor has swung her weight and curves too, in a bid to look stunning/battered/curvy… whatever her roles have demanded. Having been training at Leena Mogre’s fitness center well before her Fashion days, we asked Mogre herself on how the svelte actor has shaped up over the past two-three roles.

ROLE PLAY

“Kangna is an ectomorph, which means it’s difficult for her to gain weight,” Mogre says. “She’s anyway never required a drastic weight loss/gain regimen for any of her roles. In Fashion, she perfected the ultra-trimmed look. Next was her training for Kites, in which she plays a salsa dancer,” she adds.

For the saucy salsa look, Leena and Kangna had to work on getting the latter’s curves back. “We had to tone her up in nearly three months of training. She worked on her butt and calves, as also her flexibility — to be able to dance well — and she ended up looking fab,” Mogre says. Hrithik Roshan too, reportedly, is impressed with the new look Kangna.

POLICE STORY

The once waif-thin actor is now playing a cop in a film currently under production. Hence, she has to shed all her curves and sexiness for a slightly tough look. “Her shoulders and upper body had to look well-built, and her face needed to look tougher. We put her on a high-protein diet which chiselled her jaw line,” Leena shares.

How exactly did she work out then? Here goes…

DAY 1:

STRENGTH TRAINING:

• German set — 10 sets, 10 reps
• Squats, push ups, pull ups
• 20 min fartlek running

DAY 2:

• Kick Boxing — 45 mins
• Full body stretching followed by a 20-minute hill-training on elliptical

DAY 3:

• Complete rest. Helps the muscles recuperate.

DAY 4:

• Athletic sprint/speed workout — 30 minutes of sprinting drills and hurdle training
• 20 minutes of ab workout, external obliques and lower back exercises

DAY 5:

• Power yoga — 45 mins. To improve posture and balance.
• Meditation — 10 mins.

DAY 6:

• PHA (Peripheral Heart Action) training to improve muscular endurance and build up stamina or ‘turbulence training’ (to tone up and gain muscle or endurance to lose fat).

DIET REGIMEN

Breakfast:
Porridge and egg white omelette

Mid morning:
Fruit plate and protein shake

Lunch:
Sabji/salad, grilled chicken, rotis, dal and rice

Evenings:
Brown bread with egg white sandwich

Dinner:
Same as lunch but soup instead of roti.

“Proteins cannot be absorbed without the necessary carbohydrates. Hence, Kangna’s instructor and I put together a diet regimen which would ensure she has enough carbs,” Mogre explains, adding, “Similarly, since she wanted to build muscle, she couldn’t have done without substantial food and moderate fat. Any kind of extreme dieting was a no-no.”

Step-By-Step Surya Namaskar [Sun Salutation]

2010-03-04T07:40:00.000-08:00

Posture: Surya-Namaskara - Sun Salutation
Translation: The Sanskrit word surya means sun. Namaskar is the Hindi word for Namaste, from the root nam, to bow. Namaskar means salutation, salute, greeting or praise.
Pronunciation: soor-yee-ah-nahma-skar

Step-By-Step Demonstration of Surya Namaskar Asana

Step-1
Stand facing the direction of the sun with both feet touching. Bring the hands together, palmto-palm, at the heart.

Step-2
Inhale and raise the arms upward. Slowly bend backward, stretching arms above the head.

Step-3
Exhale slowly bending forward, touching the earth with respect until the hands are in line with the feet, head touching knees.

Step-4
Inhale and move the right leg back away from the body in a wide backward step. Keep the hands and feet firmly on the ground, with the left foot between the hands. Raise the head.

Step-5
While exhaling, bring the left foot together with the right. Keep arms straight,
raise the hips and align the head with the arms, forming an upward arch.

Step-6
Exhale and lower the body to the floor until the the feet, knees, hands, chest, and forehead are touching the ground.

Step-7
Inhale and slowly raise the head and bend backward as much as possible, bending the spine to the maximum (as in the naga-asana).

Step-8
While exhaling, bring the left foot together with the right. Keep arms straight, raise the hips and align the head with the arms, forming an upward arch.

Step-9
Inhale and move the right leg back away from the body in a wide backward step. Keep the hands and feet firmly on the ground, with the left foot between the hands. Raise the head.

Step-10
Exhale slowly bending forward, touching the earth with respect until the hands are in line with the feet, head touching knees.

Step-11
Inhale and raise the arms upward. Slowly bend backward, stretching arms above the head.

Step-12
Stand facing the direction of the sun with both feet touching. Bring the hands together, palm-to-palm, at the heart.

Videos Explaining How to Perform the Surya Namaskar