Beating the odds

Living life on her own terms and celebrating it too is what Lisa Ray is about. archana subramanian asked her about the secrets to staying super fit

Lisa Ray

Best known as ‘Afreen Afreen’ from the Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan music video of 1996, Lisa Ray is drop-dead gorgeous. She has modelled for the most glamorous brands, but her stint with movies was short. Being diagnosed with a rare case of multiple myeloma did not deter the fighter in her and she soon emerged to talk about it and raise awareness. Her blog “The Yellow Diaries” throws light on her life as a cancer survivor. She shares some fun fitness facts with us.

Your fantasy 24 hours: A morning of fitness activities, preferably in nature, like a hike, jog or paddle boarding in a mountain lake or a swim in the ocean. Long and leisurely lunch with like-minded mad hatters, reading/writing/sketching/reflecting, a yoga class, a stroll through an inspiring piazza and stopping for coffee, and an evening theatre performance, preferably myself on stage. Then dinner and heated discussions over live music with more mad hatters. It's my fantasy day, so it can take place on three different continents, right?

A temptation you wish you could resist: Not all temptations are wrong or bad for you. I've conquered the ones which don't serve me, but a little ‘temptation’ makes life juicier.

In your gym bag: Believe it or not, a wrap dress, for after my workout. I wear my exercise gear to the gym/yoga/Pilates studio.

A fitness routine you wish you could break: Can't think of any.

Biggest mistakes people make at the gym: Joyless exercise. It's about finding exercise you enjoy, and then pushing your edge. I've wasted years walking on the treadmill to nowhere and it’s not improved my fitness level. Also staring at the watch...

Must-takes to the gym: Attitude. And a buddy/trainer.

Food you can cheat on: I avoid sugar, which feeds cancer, GM foods, a lot of dairy and red meats. Everything else in moderation. Food is a source of sheer joy — I'm a foodie. I've been the host and a judge on Top Chef Canada for four years — come on, I love food.

A celeb you wish were your trainer: Jennifer Lopez. Fab curves and the anti-size-zero woman's body.

On your iPod: I don't zone out on music any more. I do circuit training with a trainer, Pilates or yoga.

Your go-to diet food: Green smoothies and green juices.