By June Cheong

Merlin Chelliah, 32

• Chief of the Club Med resort in Kabira, Japan, since April.
• Ms Chelliah, who weighs 56kg and is 1.56m tall, is married to Japanese Yasunari Hiranuma, 27, who works in the marine life industry in Japan. The couple, who live in Japan, have no children.
• EXERCISE REGIMEN: Jogging, working out at the gym or playing basketball three times a week

What do you do to keep fit?

I jog, work out at the gym and play basketball with friends. As I have a passion for cooking and eating, I work out three times a week to counter-balance that.

What is your secret to looking so fabulous?

I do not think it is any secret but just being around family and friends makes me happy and, voila, I look and feel fabulous.

Has there ever been a time when you were not fit and fab?

Before I started working in Club Med in 2005, I was not fit at all. I weighed 65kg in 2004 and I ate and partied a lot.

Now, I exercise regularly, have become more family-oriented and have new passions such as cooking, dancing, acting and singing.

It took me two years to lose 9kg.

What is your diet like?

I eat almost anything because I know I will work off the calories with my exercise routine.

What are your indulgences?

Depending on my mood, I enjoy anything spicy, "junky" (junk food) or sweet. I have to keep to my exercise routine though.

I get a little crazy with great chocolate cakes, especially those from Lana's and Awfully Chocolate.

Do you count your calories?

I do not like to count my calories as it prevents me from enjoying my food and being myself.

Do you take supplements?

I take multi-vitamins, which help me stay healthy for my active lifestyle.

What is your sleep routine like?

A minimum of eight hours of sleep keeps me going. If I do not get that, I become grouchy.

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

It takes a bit of effort but it is all about organising your time to include work and exercise.

My mantras are "Work hard and play harder" and "If you have to take a break, just do it".

What do you do to relax?

I spend time with my family and friends, chill out and talk about the good old days.

Sometimes, I go to a games arcade with my niece and nephew and, surprisingly, I have discovered this to be a wonderful way to relax.

I realise from my own experience that, with relaxation, I think better at work.

What are the three most important things in your life?

First, my family because they give me inspiration. Second, being there for friends as they have always been there for me.

Third, doing the best I can when given an opportunity, because life is too short to be wasted.

Would you go for plastic surgery?

No. Being more mature now, I have learnt to accept myself and how I look.

I believe beauty comes from within and we should work hard at improving our character and skills, which are what will last.

Do you think you are sexy?

Yes.

I am happy with life and believe that my personality determines how I look on the outside.

I am proud to say that I wear less make-up nowadays and I dress for myself.

junec@sph.com.sg

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times.