Forget the gym! Surbhi Chandna's weight loss strategy will surprise you

If you're in need of some fitness inspiration, actor Surbhi Chandna might be just the motivation you're looking for. Known for her breakout role in Ishqbaaaz, Surbhi underwent a physical transformation to prepare for her lead role in the hit TV series Naagin 5. In a recent interview with The Times of India (TOI), the Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor opened up about how she shed the extra weight—without relying on a gym routine.

She said, "I had to say bye-bye to all the happy weight and bring a transformation because my character needed that." Speaking about the demands of her role, Surbhi explained, "If you're playing a naagin, you need to look sexy, and someone who can easily do the stunts. The previous seasons' actresses, who played naagins, had already set a bar so high that it was important to look different and set a new trend."

How Surbhi Reached Her Fitness Goals
Sharing the secret to her transformation, Surbhi told TOI, "I ate all the right things for the entire year." She emphasized that healthy eating was key to her weight loss journey. Even though she didn’t rely on gym workouts, the physically demanding shoot schedule for Naagin 5 kept her active, which played a big role in burning calories.

When asked about managing food cravings, Surbhi revealed she sticks to simple, nutritious meals like jowar bhakri (chapati), rice, veggies, chicken, and fish, while generally avoiding junk food. However, she allows herself “cheat days” to enjoy favorites like pav bhaji and pizza.

Her approach to fitness is based on balance: she believes staying active and eating small portions makes it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle. "If I am physically active and eat in small portions, it will be easier to stay fit and healthy," she said.

Her Fitness Routine
Although her intense shooting schedule didn’t leave much time for a regular workout, Surbhi explained, "When I signed up for the show, I did not have time to go to the gym, because we were shooting for 12-13 hours. Naagin is not a show that requires you to be in one place throughout the day. The show had a fast pace, we had to run around a lot because of outdoor scenes, and do a lot of stunts and action scenes. This helped me burn my calories, so I was burning good calories on the sets."

When she does have time off, Surbhi likes to stay active with Zumba and Pilates, both of which help her maintain her fitness and energy levels.