I don''t blindly follow a fitness routine: Gul Panag (Interview)

Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Former Miss India and Bollywood actress Gul Panag, who is known to be a fitness enthusiast, believes in having a robust lifestyle but maintains that she doesn't blindly follow a fitness routine. 

'My fitness mantra is adaptability. I keep in mind that I need to do 45 minutes of intense physical activity a day, whether I am travelling or whether it is raining. And so I adapt my fitness plan according to the situation,' Gul told IANS in an interview. 

'I take into account how my body is feeling on any given day and don't blindly follow a routine for the sake of it,' she added. 

The actress, who has been part of films like 'Dhoop', 'Dor', 'Manorama Six Feet Under', 'Hello Darling' and 'Turning 30' feels that gymming is not the only way to stay fit, there are other outdoor options available too.

'There are a countless options other than gymming to stay fit. Taking the stairs, choosing to walk whenever possible, cycling, running outdoors, etc, all help,' she said. 

'In fact if one chooses an active lifestyle, one doesn't need to sweat it out in a gym,' she added.

The 32-year-old, who recently tied the knot with her longtime boyfriend Rishi Attari, opined that ideally five days of workout is good enough for a healthy lifestyle. This gives the body two days to rest. 

Along with physical exercise, the nature of diet is also of prime importance to remain fit and Gul feels that binging is a strict no-no. 

'What you eat is very important. I adapt my daily intake of food to the weather, location and my activity levels. I eat sensibly and don't binge,' she said. 

The actress specified that women need to take extra care about certain things when they are working out to avoid any problem later. 

'The right attire and support is very important, especially for high impact exercises. Women need to bear in mind that after a certain age, there is loss in bone density and they need to focus on strength training,' she said.

'Most importantly if following an outdoor routine, one should always keep one's safety in mind,' she added.

(Ruchika Kher can be contacted at ruchika.k@ians.in)

Celebrity Fitness, Fitness Mantra of Gul Panag

Former Miss India Gul Panag is one of the hottest and most powerful Indian film industry, and has attracted the eye of his regular participation in a marathon every year.

An activist, animal lover, adrenalin junkie, adventurer, avid traveler and biker - the secret of her energy and enthusiasm lies in her fitness routine and disciplined lifestyle. So keep a pen and paper handy, here's what the charming Gul Panag told us about her fitness mantra.

How do you keep fit? What's your daily fitness routine like?
Gul Panag: For me fitness is a lifestyle choice - something that I adapt to suit my current situation. On a day when the weather is good, I choose an outdoor option - running, cycling, tennis, etc. On rainy days I do indoor activities like squash, yoga or strength training in the gym.

How important is daily nutrition and balanced food intake for you? What kind of an eating routine do you follow?
Gul Panag: What one eats is the key to how one looks and feels. There is absolutely no point in doing an hour's run if you are going to have a brownie and ice cream after it. Eating healthy is the key. And we all know what healthy is. Too much of something that doesn't naturally exist (desserts, deep fried foods and so on) can play havoc with our insulin and cholesterol levels, and of course undo all our fitness efforts.

Do you rely on any sports (group or endurance) for fitness pursuits? Could you tell us about how you train for them?
Gul Panag: I have been running marathons for 8 years now, and there is no better test of endurance. Striving for endurance is great, as it gives you more energy to cope with daily life's assaults on our stamina. Training for endurance is not rocket science, though it is a discussion in itself. I follow online modules - based on routines professional athletes follow.

What fitness advice would you like to share with our readers?
Gul Panag: Don't see fitness as something that's a burden you need to carry. It's a lifestyle choice you need to make for longevity and vitality. Take care of your body if you want it to last and complement you as long as you live.