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JOIN THE STARS Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor plans to lose more weight this year

Sweating it out, dieting, meditating - its nothing new for celebrities. Staying in shape and looking good are part of the job. In Hollywood, prunes, asparagus and parsley seem to be the staple diet. Did you know Jennifer Lopez sniffs grapefruit oil and Cindy Crawford sips vinegar to kill hunger pangs?

A new book The Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets exposes the unlikely foods and drinks that celebrities say can help them shed the pounds. The sculpted figure comes with a lot of hard work and commitment. Can ordinary mortals give the celebrity way a shot?

Shanker Basu, CEO of Maverick fitness studio, who works with film stars cautions, “One should not read too much into celeb diets. Diet plans have to be unique. So there is no point following anybody,” he says. “An individual’s goals, metabolism, fitness level all come into play. We have to ascertain the metabolic typing first, whether somebody is a carbs type, or a protein type or a mixed type,” he explains.

Vivek Anand, managing director of Fitness One, says the fascination to look like stars is always there, especially among youngsters. “If they want to flex muscles like Vikram or sport the six pack abs of Shah Rukh Khan, they need to work on it,” he says.

Eat right, listen to your body, follow a customised diet plan. Above all motivation to achieve a fitness goal and commitment are important. Salman Khan is a shining example, he says. “So is Malayalam actor Prithiviraj. They make sure to work out at our centre when shooting in Chennai. They follow a customised fitness regimen which includes prescribed nutrition, physical activities and exercises based on the fitness. They enjoy it,” he reveals.

For film stars, the pressure to stay in shape is immense. Shanker says actors Dhanush and Vikram are both highly disciplined and dedicated. What is required is a holistic lifestyle modification. “There is no magic involved. It is a balance of proper nutrition, sufficient physical activity, adequate sleep and removing stress,” Vivek adds.

Ask actor Priyamani and she says, “Simple. I just make sure not to overeat.” Idlis for breakfast, chappathis and vegetables for lunch, soup and tandoor items for dinner, plenty of fruit juices between meals and a routine work-out for an hour plus is her fitness mantra. “I never touch fried foods and when it comes to chocolates it is just a bite for a day.”

Nutritionist Veena Sekhar, who has worked with actors Namitha and Surya, says to achieve any goal, be it losing or gaining weight, or toning up, 50 per cent contribution is diet, 20 per cent is rest and recuperation and 30 per cent is exercise. A balanced diet is the key. It should include cereals, pulses, legumes, fruits and vegetables, meat and milk products, fats, oils and sugar and jaggery. And, think about your food when you are eating. “All you need to do is along with idli or dosa, add a fruit. Go in for vegetable sambar and mint chutney instead of coconut chutney. And, round that off with a glass of milk,” she suggests. She quotes Deepika Padukone, Vikram, Sibiraj, Vincent Ashokan and Shreya as examples of fitness.

Summing up, Shanker Basu says, “In today’s world less inorganic food, more fresh juices, vegetables, cardio and weight training are of paramount importance and the fitness regimen has to be unique.”

Never skip meals. It leads to craving of high calorie foods

Eat fresh food, salads, fruits and lean meat.

Eat more pulses and legumes

Consume fruits and vegetables liberally and milk products moderately

Consume fats, oils and sugars sparingly

Avoid wrong foods

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