Revealed: The secret behind Paoli Dam's hot bod

Paoli doesn't believe in depriving herself of good food but makes sure that she burns in the gym whatever she eats. The actress speaks to CT about her fitness mantra, her diet and her idols. Excerpts:
Tell us about your training schedule.
Working out early in the morning is my addiction. I love the time I spend in a gym, as I feel rejuvenated after sweating it out. However busy the day might be, I can happily take out one-and-a-half hours, five to six days a week, to hit the gym. I love working out as it keeps my body toned and flexible. Moreover, regular exercise helps me stay fit, happy and strong for long. I try to motivate people who start exercising with vigour and then leave it midway, as they feel losing weight or inches is magic. It's not so! Achieving my toned look took time and patience. My exercise pattern and diet vary with the films I sign. So I have no fixed schedule. Apart from Sunday, I exercise almost every day, preferably in the morning. I love dancing, which is a very good form of exercise. So, on Sundays I turn on my fave music in my bedroom and dance! It also helps me de-stress.

What activities have you under taken to maintain fitness?
I love to go to the gym rather than swimming or doing zumba. I do body weight training but not heavy weights. And I love TRX suspension training, as it is a total-body training tool. Sometimes, I ditch the dumbbells and go for TRXtraining techniques. I do mostly core and flexibility exercises, which includes crunches and push ups, so that my body remains adaptable and help me essay all kinds of roles in films. But 10 minutes of cardio is a must for me and even on Sundays, I don't forget to start dancing with a bit of cardio. Moreover, Swiss ball training is something I enjoy, as it adds fun to my workout routine. I also do hot yoga when I'm in Mumbai, which is so very refreshing.

What's your usual diet?
I am a foodie and I just love to eat. So, I eat almost everything, but in moderate portions. I believe we work to eat. So, why deprive myself from that! But I eat a balanced diet, which is a proper mix of carbs, protein, fat and nutrition. My morning starts with a cup of green tea or black coffee followed by breakfast that includes egg whites, multi-grain bread, fruits or dalia cooked with veggies. I love fish. So, my lunch is a small portion of brown rice, vegetables and fish tossed in olive oil. Sometimes, it is chicken soup with one roti. I have sprouts and nuts in the evening and sometimes, I have puffed rice mixed with nuts and slices of cucumber, tomatoes and chilly . For dinner, which I have latest by 7 pm, I take only fish/chicken with vegetables.Ma makes lovely momos. So, that is my dinner at times in winter. But if I have momos for dinner, I run extra 10 minutes the next day to burn it off. So if I eat heavy one day, I burn it in the gym the next day .

Do you also have cheat days?
I don't have cheat days when it comes to exercise, but when it comes to food, definitely! During any festive season, my diet goes for a toss. I love chocolate pastries and brownies with ice cream. So, I do indulge in all these once in a while. Generally, when I attend parties, I make sure I eat at home so that I can only have ice cream and keep my calorie count in control. But then again, biryani and noodles are things I just can't resist!

Do you have any fitness idol? If yes, then why?
Jennifer Lopez! At this age she is so graceful. I love her body and the way she carries herself. And kudos to Malaika Arora Khan! She has an amazing figure even after becoming a mother -a body to die for!