Shilpa Shetty Kundra talks about her new book on fitness

You know you are in a fitness enthusiasts home when you are served pocketsized multigrain sandwiches and dry fruits The person in question is Shilpa Shetty Kundra The 40yearold Bollywood actress doesnt look her age when she greets us at her seafronting home in Juhu She broke new ground when she released a yoga DVD in 2008 and was one of the first from the film industry to promote fitnessThe actress at her Juhu home PicSayed Sameer AbediShe is now ready to share her wisdom on health and fitness in a book titled The Great Indian Diet Scheduled for release on Nutrition Day November 19 the book has been coauthored by nutrition and fitness expert Luke CoutinhoBack to the kitchenThe book is Kundras effort to bring the focus on the Indian kitchen for fitness I have tried to bust preconceived notions about Indian food People think Indian food is fattening and high on sodium which is untrue A simple dish like rajma chawal is a complete meal it has the right amount of protein nine amino acids its equivalent to eating an egg But people are tucking into quinoa instead she explainsKundra has shared examples from her lifestyle choices mdash be it planning her threeyearold son Viaans diet to her recipes Coutinho pitches in the expert opinion Everybody cannot afford a nutritionist and you end up browsing the Internet One site will suggest cashew nuts as being good while the next will trash the idea Thats where Luke came in He has also worked towards rehabilitating cancer patients using Indian food Imagine the West is looking towards India and here people are unable to value it Its all about discipline she assertsNot born this wayDespite the sunkissed radiance on the actress face she tells us that she has been battling the sniffles since a couple of days When we prod her to let us in on the secret of looking good when ill shes forthcoming People always think that Shilpa Shetty is the way she is because she is genetically blessed or Woh toh kuch khaati hi nahi hai I think more than my movies I take it as a complement that people look at me as somebody who is synonymous with good healthShilpa Shetty Kundra PicSayed Sameer AbediI am just like any other woman I had gained 31 kilos when I delivered Viaan I was like Shilpa Shetty and a half I ate everything I imagined that I would never lose weight That proved that if I dont have control I would put on weight too she reveals Stating another example she tells us that like several people she has water retention on some days tooBeing a mumOne can see that her life revolves around her son as she eagerly waits for him to come home post a long day at school Like her routine Kundra also insists on keeping an eye on Viaans diet Her book will include tips on making your child eat right too What you feed your child is very important I am against aerated drinks and packaged food What you teach your child to eat at this age is what heshe would end up growing up withMy threeyearold son tells me Mama you cannot eat lollipops because they give you cavities Though you have to negotiate with your child Viaan has never eaten a bag of chips But I give him homemade fries with haldi salt and chilli powder He loves drinking ginger lemon honey water and fresh juices A child doesnt know anything you have to tell them what is good and what isnt Once he reaches 12 or 13 I dont know what will he do but I am doing my duty now she laughsMake time for fitnessKundra has dabbled with several things from coowning a shopping channel cricket team to being a reality show judge all the while taking care of her son We ask whether she owns a secret time management genie Everybody has forgotten how to breathe Spend at least 10 minutes a day and concentrate on your breathingTake another 10 minutes to eat your homepacked lunch If your boss stops you you need to leave that job she advises while shelling pistachios for Viaan who by now is back from school Getting philosophical she says If you fall sick you will take out time Why reach that level Instead take care when you are healthyMagic Mantra For new mums amp weight watchersWhen I was losing weight after my pregnancy I would eat nearly four eggs a day Eggs keep your stomach full for longer When you are trying to lose a lot of weight you always stress about not getting to have food This results in your body producing extra cortisol slowing down metabolism Eating has a lot more to do with your mind than your stomach Dont tell yourself that you are dietingMake a change in your life to be healthy not because you want to fit into a dress or because you have a party to attend If you follow the diet plan in the book and cant workout walk for at least four times a week Some form of exercise is a must Strike the 70 diet and 30 exercise balance This combination helps lose weight