Wonder how stars like Sandra Bullock, Jane Seymour and Halle Berry look so great year after year? Even if they’re getting help via surgery (not saying they are, but a lot of stars do), that only goes so far when it comes to aging. Everyone ages. If we don’t age, you know what that means. We’ve moved onto the next dimension.
But over at People.com, celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak (@HarleyPasternak on Twitter) has a few tips for how to thwart Father Time and stay strong, fit and healthy.
1. Mix up your workouts. “It’s hard to believe ‘Demolition Man’ was 20 years ago, since Sandra Bullock looks almost exactly the same at 48 as she did then,” says Pasternak. “She didn’t achieve the body she has now by doing the same tired routine every day! Bullock likes to mix up her workouts, doing everything from Pilates to kickboxing.” He notes that our bodies adapt to a regimen within six to eight weeks, so if you don’t mix up your routine, you’ll plateau.
2. Consider small meals. Halle Berry is 46, but you’d never know it looking at her. She’s also diabetic, which means she knows the importance of eating small meals and snacks throughout the day. “By grazing as the day goes on, you have fewer energy swings and keep your appetite in check,” says Pasternak.
3. Don’t skip meals. “At 60, Jeff Goldblum looks exactly as ripped and lean as he did in 1986’s ‘The Fly,’” says Pasternak, adding that might be because he doesn’t skip meals. “Not only does skipping meals wreak havoc on your metabolism and blood sugar, but it also reduces energy, decreases bone density and lowers our immune response, which are all critical issues whether you’re 20 or 70.”
4. Pace your workouts. More isn’t necessarily better, says Pasternak. Working out too hard or too much will lead to a sidelining injury, and as with everything, moderation is key. “Stay active all day instead of trying to get your physical activity in for the day in an hour at the gym. Sharon Stone, 54, is one star who gets it right.
5. Listen to your body. Jane Seymour, 61, says her approach to fitness is to use caution, and that’s good advice for the rest of us. “If you feel joint or muscle pain that lasts more than a few days, or if one side of your body hurts more than the other, it’s time to rest and/or see a doctor,” says Pasternak.
6. Don’t shirk on relieving stress. Studies show that stress accelerates aging, so it’s important to pay attention to your stress levels. “My longtime client and friend Vanessa Williams has said that counting her blessings works for her,” notes Pasternak. “Many of my clients find relaxation and peace with yoga, while others embrace meditation. For me, laughing with my wife over dinner or a hilarious TV show really releases tension.”
What are your tips for staying happy, healthy and fit?
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