Want that red-carpet body for the holidays and into the New Year? We caught up with Hollywood fitness expert, Michelle Lovitt, who has trained A-listers Courteney Cox, Julianne Moore, David Duchovny and Kiefer Sutherland, to give us her best celebrity fitness tips.
When it comes to exercise, are celebrities any different than the average person?
“All humans are built physiologically the same,” says celebrity trainer Michelle Lovitt. “Celebrities, however, have to be on camera and in revealing wardrobes at times, therefore have a bigger incentive to work out and eat clean.”
Workouts build confidence
The pressure to be perfect isn’t always easy to deal with, even for the bold and beautiful. “I worked with the most beautiful bodies in the world and everyone has parts of themselves they would like to improve,” says Lovitt.
That said, on cold, dreary days, the morning after a 14-hour shoot, some of her clients would rather stay in bed or have a pancake breakfast than be put through her paces — but they’re committed. “They are professionals and they know they have a job to do,” Lovitt says.
Should the average woman compare herself to Courteney Cox, really, without a blow to the ego?
“Courteney is stunning without a stitch of makeup,” says Lovitt. “She is petite and is active. The average woman should compare herself to herself. If she doesn’t feel good about herself, comparing herself to someone who is strong, beautiful and confident isn’t going to improve her self-esteem.”
Lovitt’s tips to maximize your workout
Stay hydrated. The key to a great workout is hydration. If you are exercising to burn fat, be sure to consume at least 64 ounces of water per day, plus an additional 16 ounces for every hour of moderate-intensity activity. Sports drinks, such as Activate, with vitamins and electrolytes, can help with your liquid goal.
Invest in a heart rate monitor. When exercising, working your heart at the correct intensity is the essence to sparing muscle and losing body fat. You should exercise at 60 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate to lose those few extra pounds. Studies show that people who exercise at too high an intensity — above 85 percent — especially in the initial stages of a workout program, drop out sooner, have more injuries and tend to develop a negative attitude toward exercise in general. Aim for 20 to 60 minutes of continuous exercise, incorporating intervals in your target zone each session.
Keep away from carbs. But not always — just for 60 minutes prior to cardio exercise. If a carbohydrate is consumed, your body releases insulin, which can help contribute to suppression of lipase, meaning body fat is not used to fuel the activity. So put down that bagel and opt for a hard-boiled egg.
Get adequate protein. Eat at least one gram of protein per kilogram of body weight when trying to lose body fat. This will help ensure you maintain your muscle, which will keep your metabolism burning more calories, helping to shed pounds at a more rapid rate.
Eat breakfast every day. People who eat breakfast consume fewer total calories during the day than those who don’t.
Celebrities get compliments, not sweets
Lovitt rewards her clients when they perform well with a compliment, which she doesn’t give freely or often, she says. “They know how incredibly proud of them I am and wouldn’t sabotage that with a cookie.”
Since deprivation isn’t realistic, however, her own healthy indulgences include a glass of red wine or piece of dark chocolate. “I just don’t drink the whole bottle or eat the whole bag.”
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