'Fitness is to discipline and love yourself' - Amar Upadhyay

What is your Fitness Mantra?
Fitness to me is to discipline yourself and love yourself. Your workouts, diet timings should be in place, and for actors like us who are so used to unusual timings, special care needs to be taken.

What is the usual routine that you follow as an everyday practice?
I start my day with a heavy breakfast, and have Sabzi, dal and rice for my lunch. I have some snacks, consisting mainly of fruits in the evening. I usually have my dinner before 7.30, but if I am late, then I take only salads at night. 

Anyone you idolize when it come to good physique?
I don't idolize anyone, but I used to like the body of Arnold Schwarzenegger. But I am totally against taking steroids for getting into shape. I aim to look good and be fit.

According to you who has a good body in the industry?
Today, there are many who have a good body in the industry, and Akshay Kumar is the first name that comes to my mind. But Hrithik Roshan and Salman according to me, have a great body since they entered. Among females, I can say that Shilpa Shetty has got a beautiful body, so has Sushmita Sen and Mallika Sherawat. In television, I really have a good physique and look better now when compared to my Kyunki days.

What are the exercises that you do once you get up in the morning?
As soon as I get up, I do Shirshasan for 3 minutes. But here, I want to make it clear that people with back and heart problems should not do this asan. After that, I lie down for 2 minutes, and then have a litre of water. I then hit the gym, and have a heavy breakfast after my work out.

How many days in a week do you hit gym?
I make sure that I hit gym at least 5 days a week. I prefer to go in the morning, as I like to run for nearly 3 kilometres in the evening. 

Message to your Fans regarding Fitness?
I believe in the saying, 'Health is Wealth'. If you stay fit, you will have a longer career and your performance level will increase, so do concentrate on your body and health.

Reporter and Author: Ranjini Nair