Danica McKellar, widely recognized for her role in "The Wonder Years," has consistently captivated audiences not only with her acting prowess but also with her dedication to maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle. At 50, she demonstrates that age is just a number, and staying in shape is achievable through discipline, consistency, and a holistic approach to wellness. McKellar emphasizes that there are no secret tips to staying young; it's a combination of various factors, including diet, exercise, and mental attitude.
McKellar's Philosophy on Health and Fitness
McKellar firmly believes that caring about one's appearance and staying fit is not superficial. She underscores the importance of discipline in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, acknowledging that it can be challenging, especially with a busy schedule. However, she asserts that it is of utmost importance for both physical health and self-esteem, which significantly impacts every aspect of life.
McKellar clarifies that she is not advocating for perfect bodies but rather highlighting the dangers of an unhealthy body, particularly as one ages. She connects staying in shape with energy levels and mood, noting that prolonged periods without exercise or consuming unhealthy foods lead to lethargy, slowness, and a lack of motivation.
Dietary Principles
McKellar adheres to a strict and clean diet, avoiding certain foods and prioritizing whole, natural options. Her dietary rules include:
- Avoiding Alcohol and Coffee: McKellar abstains from alcohol and coffee, contributing to her overall health and well-being.
- Limiting Sugar Intake: She avoids sugar, gluten and dairy, focusing on clean and simple foods.
- Prioritizing Clean Eating: McKellar finds that she feels better when she sticks to a really clean diet.
- Avoiding Artificial Ingredients: A significant rule for McKellar is avoiding anything artificial, including artificial sweeteners and colors. She believes this allows her to maintain her physique even during weeks without exercise, as she stays away from what nature didn't create.
- Staying Away from Unhealthy Food: She stays away from unhealthy food.
- Hydration is Key: McKellar emphasizes drinking "LOTS of water" and avoiding soft drinks, especially diet soft drinks, which she believes are the worst. She thinks they make you crave unhealthy food and mess up your metabolism. She even limits her juice intake due to its concentrated sugar content.
- Rest: Plenty of rest, 8 hours a night.
Embracing Alternatives
To compensate for the foods she avoids, McKellar incorporates healthy alternatives into her diet:
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- Gluten-Free Options: She mostly avoids gluten, opting for rice cakes made from brown rice instead of bread.
- Healthy Fats: She incorporates extra healthy, vegetable-based fats like avocados and almonds.
- Lean Protein: For dinner, several times a week, she eats brown rice, steamed veggies sprinkled with olive oil, and simple, baked chicken, seasoned with onion powder, salt & pepper.
- Smart Snacking: She enjoys canned mackerel as a snack or lunch.
Avoiding Problematic Foods
McKellar avoids several types of foods to maintain her health and fitness:
- Salty, Sugary, and Greasy Foods: She avoids salty, sugary, and greasy foods, as well as over-processed foods.
- Over-Processed Foods: She avoids salty, sugary, and greasy foods, and over-processed foods.
- Energy Bars: She avoids "energy bars," considering most of them to be essentially candy bars with protein powder sprinkled inside, a marketing ploy.
Exercise Routine
McKellar incorporates a variety of exercises into her routine to stay in shape:
- Yoga: McKellar loves yoga and even made a DVD.
- Aerobic Activity: She enjoys aerobic activities like dancing and using the treadmill.
- Weight-Bearing Exercise: To avoid osteoporosis later in life, she does push-ups and some light weights.
McKellar emphasizes the importance of varying her routine to prevent boredom and optimize its benefits for her body.
The Interconnection of Mind and Body
McKellar underscores the inextricable connection between the mind and body. She believes that a healthy, clean lifestyle and a positive attitude are essential for overall well-being.
Gratitude and Giving Back
McKellar believes that taking all that gratitude and giving back to the world in as many ways as possible is another secret to life.
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Faith
McKellar finds something very interesting about the Lord’s Prayer. She believes that the Bible repeatedly shows that when rulers asked God for guidance, he gave it, and they would always succeed, even if it wasn’t in the way they originally thought.
The Importance of Discipline and Consistency
McKellar emphasizes that staying in shape requires a lot of discipline. She says that staying in shape involves a lot of discipline which admittedly can be hard when we’re busy, but it is of the utmost importance both because of our health, and because our self-esteem will effect EVERY part of our lives.
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