With unforgiving shooting schedules and unpredictable hours, TV stars tell Sonia Lulla how they manage their diet and fitness regimes
Jennifer Winget finds yoga calming and de-stressing
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Jennifer Winget
THE entertainment industry, it is believed, is often less harsh on television actresses than their cinematic counterparts when it comes to looking a certain way. The former is relatable, the latter, aspirational, is how the difference is explained. But just as many small screen actresses are seen struggling with their weight, piling on pounds until show-makers sound off an unwelcoming warning, Jennifer Winget, who's been a part of both worlds, has been unwavering with her weight. Winget says that the pace at which TV is expanding requires artistes to up their game, "both skill and body image wise". "Legs should be longer, skinny should be skinnier; it's not a clone factory," she asserts. "An actor should be recognised for skill and talent. I'm not in favour of the ideal body image [propagated nowadays]. Fitness to me means a healthy body, mind and soul. My fitness regime comprises eating a balanced diet and practising yoga," she says, adding, "I also allocate time for my walk, or better still, run on the beach with my dog Breezer. It's something I look forward to."
Winget has been practising yoga for three years, and has benefitted from the holistic healing practice. "I don't focus on any particular part of the body," she shares. She thanks her metabolism for keeping her in good shape, but that doesn't keep her from watching her meals. "You need to be careful about not overdoing anything, whether eating or exercising," says Winget, pointing out that despite her high metabolism, she too can't escape the extra pounds. "They catch up every now and then, but I make sure to work out. Crash diets never work, so, I eat balanced meals and never skip meals. I try to listen to my body and all else falls in place." Busy schedules often hinder her regime, but Winget tries to fit in her yoga sessions after wrapping up her daily shoot. "If we end late, I tend to miss out on my yoga, but I make sure to pack in at least three sessions a week. I don't tire easy thanks to my routine, and with our long working hours, it helps keep me energised." Winget carries home-cooked meals, and makes it a point to stay hydrated. Yet, her fridge is always stocked with a Dutch chocolate truffle cake. "I will devour it and ensure it's replenished. Pani puris are also a favourite food, and I allow myself to indulge in them when craving strikes. I don't plan to give them up."
Diet
Breakfast: A boiled egg without the yolk and/or poha, and a vegetable juice that my mum makes for me every day. Bless her!
Lunch: Dal, vegetables or a non-vegetarian accompaniment, and salad. I love my aloo ki sabzi. My lunch would be incomplete without rice.
Evening snacks: Fruits and nuts. I drink a lot of water.
Dinner: Grilled chicken, grilled fish and a soup.
Fitness routine
Daily yoga sessions - a minimum of three times a week during busy schedules, apart from jogging and walking on the beach.
Jay Bhanushali has been enjoying his new calesthenics routine
Jay Bhanushali
After practising weight training for 15 years, Jay Bhanushali has now started dabbling in calisthenics - a form of gymnastic exercises usually done without equipment - which, he says, has helped him achieve great results. "I only recently got the headstand right and am practising handstands and the human flag too. The results I am seeing are great. Given that I'm upside down for most parts of the session, I feel so light," he says, adding that he continues to start his day with lifting the pounds.A good physical appearance, he says, is a demand of the industry, but admits that staying in perfect shape all year round is tough. "Usually, when you need to work towards an important project, you have to crank up your routine, work out harder and watch your diet to get into shape. But one can't sustain that throughout the year."
An outdoor schedule doesn't imply time off from the fitness routine for the actor-host. Bhanushali is careful to make certain of the amenities available when away from home. "I will ensure that the hotel I am at has a good restaurant where I can grab healthy meals. If the gym shuts soon, I ask my production guys to check if it can be kept open so that I can pack in a workout after we wrap up, which is usually late," he says, quick to point out that he isn't unnecessarily harsh on himself. "If
I am exhausted, I give my body the rest it needs."
Diet
A balanced diet comprising all the three important components - carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Bhanushali alters his routine before important assignments to pull back on carbohydrates like rice and roti.
Fitness routine
A 90-minute session in the morning split up into 30 minutes of cardio, 15 minutes of core exercises followed by training one body part. If time permits, he adds calisthenics sessions in the evening
Arjun Bijlani follows a strenuous workout regime six days a week
Arjun Bijlani
Given his busy schedule, Arjun Bijlani understands the need to give the body sufficient rest, in order to optimise results. "It's just as important as your fitness regimen," he says, adding that he gives his body time to recover from strenuous routines by following a six-day training pattern. "My regimen, just like my diet, varies according to different goals. On days I have a photoshoot scheduled, I amend my sessions accordingly. My body responds to exercise quickly. I can gain or lose weight easily."Bijlani finds a fitness programme akin to maths. "To drop your body fat percentage, you have to consume less than you burn. Fortunately, I am among those who can eat anything. I eat a lot, but I balance it with equal amounts of exercise," says the actor, who has a mini gym set up in his vanity van. "I usually work out after my shoot wraps up. When we finish late, I pack in a quick 30-minute session on the set," he says.
Diet
Like most devout fitness enthusiasts, Bijlani keeps a safe distance from sugar, resorting to a diet that's relatively high in proteins. He usually carries two to three home-cooked meals to set, and consumes boiled eggs if he needs to eat more. The actor likes to finish his dinner by 8.30 pm. When he has a photoshoot scheduled, he cuts back on the carbohydrate content and eliminates sugar from his diet.
Fitness routine
Alternates between weight training and functional training, and works out six days a week.
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