‘Fitness is a habit now’

Gurnaaz Kaur

An actress, model, television presenter and an avid traveller, Poppy Jabbal loves to wear many hats, and with aplomb. We recently saw her as a loving and caring teacher in Punjabi flick Uda Aida, where she won the hearts of her students and viewers alike. 

She has also done web shows Broken and Lost and Found. Poppy began her career as a runway model, moved on to doing ads and has done close to 80 of them. She has also hosted sports shows, be it cricket, wrestling or marathons. But it is acting that is her focus now, other than her love for fitness. Here she shares her idea of being fit and all that goes into achieving it.

Fitness is

A lifestyle, a conscious effort and choice that is now a habit. I meditate, which is important for mental fitness and I work out for physical fitness. 

Professional call? Not just!

Yes, definitely, it’s a demand of the profession to look a certain way but that’s not enough for motivation. Being in a decent shape or remaining thin is not the goal; the goal is to be fit. Tomorrow, as an actor, if I get to play a sports person, I should have the stamina to get into the character, practice it and portray it well.

I gave up on

Ohhhhh.... too many things. I have tried various diets. If you want your body to look a certain way, then 75 per cent is the diet and 25 per cent is the workout. I have been on low-carb diet, intermittent fasting, paleo diet, minimum water, no salt, etc, etc. For the last two years I haven’t had fruits, wheat, gluten, sugar, dairy products (except cheese), processed food, lentils and on top of that I am a vegetarian. 

Of cravings and habits

I have lost sugar cravings. If you give up on sugar for more than two months, you dislike the taste of sugar. Another thing I’ve made peace with is my sleep patterns. I can sleep anywhere anytime if I have my personal pillow and bed sheet. 

That one shortcoming

I have recently started having too much black coffee. It’s not great for the body, so I need to stop this.

Yoga, pilates... bring it on

There was a time when I used to feel guilty if I would miss gym even for a day, so it was seven days a week and sometimes twice a day too. But now I have found a balance. I eat correct, do yoga, pilates and alternate it with weight training, cardio, cross fit workouts. Eating correct is difficult, but it’s a matter of training your mind to do it.

Trainer is important

For a long time I have trained with Praveen Nair. Having a trainer maintains your motivation to workout everyday and there is no boredom. 

No gaps while travelling

Generally, there is a gym in the hotel that I stay in; if not, I find a local gym. If even that’s not possible, I workout in my room. 

Healthy vs fit

Having a healthy mind and a healthy body is the most important thing. One shouldn’t confuse fitness with achieving a perfect body shape.

A message for fans

Squeeze in at least half an hour for yourself from your hectic schedule and exercise, you will do yourself a favour.