10 things young working professionals must know about staying fit!

It's a terrible idea to give your work more importance than your health.

Fitness entrepreneur Nawaz Modi Singhania and founder of Body Art Fitness Studio tells you just how you can balance the two out.

1. Eat smart on the job!

Overeating is not the way up the corporate ladder!

Eat simple, sensible food.

It'll keep from you feeling sleepy, lazy and sluggish all day.

Keep your mind on the business at hand. Stay focused.

2. Stay active!

In the words of Jacob M Braude, "Too many people confine their exercise to jumping to conclusions, running up bills, stretching the truth and bending over backwards."

Stay as active as possible; for instance, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk small distances instead of driving there, dance at a dance party.

And do it like your life depends on it, which in a way, it certainly does.

3. Desk exercises!

Do you know that even which sitting at your desk, looking like you're hard at work, you can still get in a few exercises to help you quickly get in shape?

Eg butt clenches and seated leg raises. Do them!

4. Practice perfect posture

Besides the obvious health angle, perfect posture will make your body look its best.

Stand straight. Avoid slouching.

Don't just stand there with your gut hanging out!

Keep the stomach held in at all times.

It's an integral part of good posture and this way the stomach muscles get more of a workout in ever so often.

Even the slimmest, most toned of people who have bad posture, still look awful!

5. Be flexible

If you had to stay back late at work and couldn't make it to your aerobic class or to the gym one day, maybe you can walk back home that day, or head out for a jog instead.

Plug your earphones or take a friend along for company.

6. Take on a physically active hobby!

The next time you're on the lookout for a hobby, get one that's fun, challenging and physically stimulating!

Some suggestions are skating, skiing, biking or a racket game.

You'll get in shape fast and have a blast while doing so!

7. Take a break from restaurants

A good many people commit suicide with a knife and fork!

Eat healthy, low-fat, low-sodium home-cooked meals.

Your wallet and your waistline will thank you for it.

8. Have dinner before heading out for a dinner party

If your dinner invitation says 8 pm, that probably means that dinner won't be served till it's time for Cinderella's coach to turn into a pumpkin.

As the evening drags on, even your fingernails will start to look appetizing.

Not looking good!

When you're hungry, you'll give into eating anything and you'll tend to really pack it in.

But if you've nibbled before leaving the house, if you've had a salad, soup or a fruit, you'll be just fine.

It'll curb the temptation of eating all those deep fried kebabs and mini pizzas doused in melted cheese.

9. Compromise

If you know you're going to be painting the town red that night and naturally will find it hard to resist all the yummies that go with it, try and stay lighter during the day.

That way you won't feel so guilty come party time.

10. Social events don't have to feature food

The worst part of a diet isn't watching your food -- it's watching everybody else's!

Friends and fun do not have to be centred around food.

Instead of meeting for lunch or dinner, join a fitness centre together or take a walk together.

You'll get a thrill out of enjoying each other's company and knowing that at the same time you're improving your health and fitness levels!

Nawaz Modi Singhania is a fitness entrepreneur and founder of Body Art Fitness Studio in Mumbai.

For more information, call +919987683883/+919167935857 or visit bodyart.in.

> More Health stories here!

Photograph (used for representational purposes only): Beck Diefenbach/Reuters