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Thoda gym thoda salsa

Looking fit is the current mantra what with the New Year bash round the corner. Syeda Farida finds out just how

NEW FERVOUR Fitness is the flavour this season

Living on `only fruits' diet for a week followed by a high protein diet, Sunayana, a commerce student is all charged up to look a 10,000 watt and to get into that itsy bitsy number for the mother of all gigs. "This is the modified version of the General Motors diet that I am following. It's more of protein, less of fat and a generous helping of fibre," she says. If Bipasha Basu can do it, get into that bikini with three days of only oranges and twice a day workout that is, zealots are all gung ho to follow suit in this part of the world.

It's that time of the year when junk is out and healthy food, read sprouts, fruits and all things vegan, is in. Blame it on that New Year bash and the urge to look your stunning best. "I am planning to get back into shape. It is total cardio for me. I am jogging or brisk walking for one hour in the morning and playing basketball after college," says Chitra Maudgil, a Mass Communication student, St Mary's. Apart from planning to opt for that deceptive black wardrobe this New Year Ankit Rahul, manager client servicing, Percept D'Mark ensures he is at the gym daily for his treadmill and power stepping regimen. "I put in one and a half hour daily and it is mostly cardio. I also am avoiding sweets and that is difficult," he says.

If one end of the city finds enthusiasts sweating it out at the multi stations, studios in the other have a few more getting lean putting on those dancing shoes. "We have a reasonable part of the class who have enrolled for the New Year. It seems that people are looking at combining a few steps with a fitter look for the bash," says Jeremy Brian, salsa instructor who is busy with his salsa and meringue workshops for the have-feet-will-loose-weight-and-learn-a-step-or-two-in - the-process community. With flicks like Dance With Me starring the gorgeous J Lo and Richard Gere hit with the folks in town, lambada seems to be the flavour apart from being the fitness mantra this year.

And before you hit that vroom button, wait up. "People might just end up injuring knees in the process of losing weight. People who are 10 kg plus overweight should stick to diet and combine brisk walk for 30-40 minutes with weight training. Crash diet is a no no as you end up with fatigue and your skin loses texture. Instead go for a balanced diet with very little complex carbohydrates, lots of protein and plenty of water to go with it, and no chocolates, pastries and sugar this season. Along with this go for a low intensity training to knock off those extra pounds and inches. The routine should have a day of aerobic and weight training, followed by mid section Pilates and Friday kickboxing with weight training," says Gavin Holt, fitness trainer.

"Diet is the key. A combination of strength training and cardio with good eating habits should do the trick. Thirty days is a good amount of time," agrees Mohammed Azharuddin, promoter Get Fit Eco Zone, Hyderabad Gymkhana. And the countdown has just begun.

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