Health routines are often framed as a test of discipline. Lara Dutta offers a more balanced thought: effort matters, and enjoyment matters too. Her words make room for the idea that a habit is easier to live with when it has some genuine appeal.
“You have to work at it, you have to enjoy it.”
Lara Dutta
Effort does not have to feel punishing
Dutta is sharing a personal perspective. Her point does not erase the value of commitment. It suggests that a routine can ask something of you without becoming a constant source of dread. That is a useful distinction for anyone trying to make a change last.
Enjoyment may come from the activity itself, the people you do it with, the music, the setting, or the sense of taking time for yourself. Finding that detail can make it easier to return.
Look for the parts you actually like
Instead of assuming you need to love every part of a routine, get specific. Perhaps you like walking outside but dislike crowded classes. Maybe you enjoy preparing a few familiar meals, or you prefer a quiet workout at home to a busy gym.
Those preferences are useful information. They can help you choose options that match your personality and schedule rather than forcing yourself into someone else’s definition of wellness.
Use effort with a clear purpose
Effort feels different when you know why you are making it. Before adding a new habit, ask what you hope it will give you. The answer might be more structure, time away from a screen, a chance to move, or a simple way to care for yourself.
A clear reason can help on days when the habit is not exciting. It gives the action a place in your life beyond a vague sense that you “should” do it.
Make the routine easier to repeat
Repeatable habits usually have a modest setup. Keep the ingredients for a meal you enjoy, set out comfortable shoes, choose a familiar route, or put a class on the calendar. Small preparations can remove unnecessary friction from the next step.
If a plan regularly requires more time or energy than you have, revise it. Simplifying is often a more useful response than giving up completely.
Keep learning from the experience
After a few weeks, notice what feels natural and what feels forced. You may discover that one activity has become a highlight of the day while another needs to be shortened, moved, or replaced. The routine can evolve as you learn.
Dutta’s quote invites that kind of balance. Put in the effort, then stay curious about what makes the effort worth continuing.
Make the perspective practical
Choose one small action that fits the day you actually have. It could be a walk, a familiar meal, a class, or a quiet moment to prepare for tomorrow. Treat the action as a way to learn what supports you, not as a test you must pass.
Lara Dutta’s comment can be a prompt for reflection. Keep what feels useful, adjust what does not fit your life, and let your next choice be specific enough to make.
Make the perspective practical
Choose one small action that fits the day you actually have. It could be a walk, a familiar meal, a class, or a quiet moment to prepare for tomorrow. Treat the action as a way to learn what supports you, not as a test you must pass.
Lara Dutta’s comment can be a prompt for reflection. Keep what feels useful, adjust what does not fit your life, and let your next choice be specific enough to make.
Source and context
This quote comes from Vogue India’s interview with Lara Dutta. Read the original article for the full context of her comments.
For our editorial approach to celebrity workout stories and quotes, see How We Cover Celebrity Fitness.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have an injury, ongoing pain, or a health condition.
