Deepika Singh, a popular face on Indian television, is now captivating audiences with her role in the show Mangalakshmi. In an exclusive interview with Maya Puri"s journalist Shilpa Patil, Deepika revealed her fitness secrets, diet, and how she manages to stay in shape. Here"s what she had to say: You"ve maintained yourself so well over the years. What"s the secret to your fitness? There"s nothing extraordinary about it. I don"t follow any strict fitness diet. I eat whatever I feel like, but yes, I do maintain a lot of control. Control is a big power that you don"t acquire easily. You need to learn how to control yourself. The more fun you find in controlling yourself, the less fun there is in giving in. When I crave something and I don't eat it, I feel like I"ve won. But if I give in, I feel like I"ve lost. It"s a game I play every day, and I love the daily struggle. I used to be very fond of milk tea, but I gave it up in December. I love trying new things in life, so I decided to give up milk tea. After that, I switched to coffee, but then I stopped drinking that too. Now, I only drink water with ginger and cloves, sometimes with cardamom and turmeric. It"s refreshing, and I"ve learned to enjoy this change. When do you have your last meal of the day? Being an actor, I don"t have a fixed schedule. But generally, I eat by 7-8 PM. On some days, if I"m out or there"s a party, I might eat at 9 or 10 PM, but I keep it light. I try to have my last meal by 7-8 PM five days a week. What is your favorite meal? Breakfast, lunch, or dinner? It depends. If I have a light meal at 7 or 8 PM, I tend to feel very hungry after my morning workout. So, I like having something heavier, like poha. I used to have parathas with potatoes, but I"ve switched to poha now. I"m also focusing more on fruits now, so that"s become my go-to option. What is your favorite cuisine? I love the food prepared by my mom and mother-in-law. But beyond that, it depends on my mood. Sometimes, I crave Chinese food, and sometimes, I enjoy Thai food like Thai curry and rice. When I"m out and can"t find Indian food, or if I find the food too oily, I opt for Thai curry and rice. What is the best time for a workout, according to you? Early in the morning. Because your stomach is empty, and you've had a good night"s sleep. It"s the best time to workout because there are no distractions. Your phone isn"t ringing, and your mind is clear. Is there any strict no-no in your diet?Yes, I avoid bread and cookies. What is your favorite healthy snack?Makhana (fox nuts). What is your favorite street food?Golgappa (pani puri). What is your favorite cheat-day dish?There"s a long list! Naan, Chur Chur Naan, Chole Bhature, Dal Makhani, and rice. These are my cheat-day indulgences. What fitness tips would you like to give your fans?I"d suggest working on control in your life. The more control you have, the more fun you"ll experience. Also, maintain flexibility in life and work for peace of mind. Peace will come when you control yourself. Always strive to improve yourself every day. Work on your mistakes and become a better version of yourself. Lift yourself up every day, because there"s immense joy in becoming something you weren't before. It's amazing to witness the change and growth within yourself. Stay with yourself, and you"ll be very happy. About Deepika Singh: Deepika Singh became a household name for her role as Sandhya in the hit TV show Diya Aur Baati Hum on Star Plus. Later, she appeared in Kavach... Mahashivratri, Sandy, and the web series The Real Soulmate. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Namaste Bollywood (@namastebollywood.in) Read also: Kapil Sharma Worked in Sunny Deol"s Film, Director Shouted at Him Aanand L Rai and A R Rahman Reunite for 'Tere Ishk Mein' in Rishikesh Isha Malviya Opens Up on Playing Lovely in Ravi-Sargun's Lovely Lola Shrutika Arjun Slams Vivian Dsena's Hypocrisy; Supports Karanveer & Shilpa