Eva Longoria, the acclaimed actress, director, and entrepreneur, has always been admired for her radiant fitness and confident demeanor. At 49, she exemplifies a holistic approach to health, emphasizing the importance of fitness, mindful eating, and mental well-being. Longoria's journey, marked by consistent dedication and sustainable lifestyle choices, offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to transform their own health.
Fitness as a Way of Life
For Eva Longoria, exercise is not merely a means to an end but an integral part of her daily routine. She views fitness and movement as her “meditation, my ‘me hour,’ my self-care." Despite a demanding schedule that includes starring in and executive producing "Land of Women," directing, managing multiple companies like her tequila brand Casa Del Sol, engaging in advocacy work, and caring for her 6-year-old son, Santiago, Longoria dedicates 30 minutes to an hour, or even more, to working out.
Longoria's commitment to fitness dates back to her college years when she worked as an aerobics instructor and trainer. With a degree in kinesiology, she understands the science behind movement and its impact on overall health. This knowledge has enabled her to integrate exercise seamlessly into her lifestyle, making it a non-negotiable part of her day.
"I’ve always been an exerciser," Longoria says. "It gives me energy. I don’t really do it for vain reasons, I do it for my mental health."
Favorite Workouts: Strength and Endurance
Longoria's preferred workouts focus on strength training and trampoline cardio. "Strength training, weights and bounce," she says, emphasizing that she alternates between these two forms of exercise. She dedicates either 30 minutes to rebounding or an hour to weight lifting.
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Rebounding
Rebounding, or trampoline workouts, became a staple in Longoria's routine in 2020 during the pandemic. Inspired by a friend's Instagram video, she began taking online classes with The Ness, a New York trampoline studio. Goldie Hawn is also a fan of trampoline workouts. Longoria quickly progressed and now bounces at least five times a week, if not every day.
She highlights the low-impact nature of rebounding, noting that it provides "a sweaty workout without all the pounding on your knees." Furthermore, she emphasizes its benefits for lymphatic drainage, which can help reduce fluid retention and fatigue.
"It makes me present," Longoria says. "You really have to focus on the routine and memorize the movements. They switch sides a lot, which can throw you off, so you have to be on top of it. I love that."
Strength Training
In addition to rebounding, Longoria incorporates heavy weight lifting into her routine. She performs squats on a weight rack with at least one 25-pound plate on each end and uses 50-pound plates for hip thrusts. Even when traveling, she makes it a point to walk or stretch if she cannot fit in a full workout session.
"I feel like my body changes the most when I do that-I wear a heart rate monitor, and I can see my heart rate spike from just doing a heavy bicep curl," she says.
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Mindful Eating Habits
Longoria approaches her diet with moderation and common sense, avoiding strict restrictions. "I don’t think I live by any hard and fast rules of restriction. I think it’s just moderation and just common sense," she explains. She gravitates towards healthy foods, enjoying fish, chicken, and beef with vegetables.
As a Mexican American, Longoria didn't grow up eating a lot of bread, as tortillas were a staple in her diet. She also admits that she does not have a sweet tooth. "I don’t like desserts and sweets," she says. "I don’t like sweet things. Dessert comes and people go, ‘Oh, I have to have dessert.’ I’m like, eh, pass."
However, Longoria is a wine lover and enjoys a glass with dinner in moderation.
Eating on Set
Interestingly, Longoria finds it easier to maintain a healthy diet when working on set. The presence of a caterer ensures access to nutritious meals. "Yeah, I actually eat better and healthier because you have a caterer that’s really making everything for you," she says. "When I’m not on a set, you’re left to your own devices. So sometimes people think that's the opposite, ‘Oh, when I’m on a set, I eat so much.’ I think it’s easier because you have somebody there and you go, ‘Can I have a bowl of avocado and Turkey?’"
Shedding 30 Pounds: A Journey of Empowerment
In the past few years, Eva Longoria has noticeably transformed her body and lifestyle. After shedding 30 pounds, she exudes confidence and radiates health. This transformation was not an overnight success but a result of consistent effort and a commitment to self-love.
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Post-Pregnancy Challenges
Becoming a mother was a transformative experience for Longoria. After the birth of her son, Santiago, she didn't feel pressured to lose weight immediately. However, as time passed, she realized the importance of prioritizing her health, both for her physical appearance and her mental and emotional well-being.
"I just got to a place where I realized I want to be stronger, not just thinner," she explains.
Key Strategies
Longoria's weight loss journey involved a combination of strategies:
- Consistent Exercise: She maintained an active lifestyle, incorporating trampoline cardio and strength training into her routine.
- Mindful Diet: She cut out processed foods, alcohol, and sugar, focusing on lean protein, vegetables, and healthy fats.
- Intermittent Fasting: Longoria adopted intermittent fasting, which involves eating within a set window during the day.
Lessons Learned
Through her weight loss journey, Longoria learned valuable lessons that she now shares with her fans. One of the most important is to listen to your body. "If I’m tired, I rest. If I’m hungry, I eat. If I need a workout, I go for it," she advises.
Longoria's Daily Routine: A Closer Look
To provide a clearer picture of Longoria's lifestyle, let's examine her typical daily routine:
- Morning: She starts her day with black coffee and an hour-long workout.
- Breakfast: She prepares breakfast for her family, often consisting of egg whites with avocado or refried bean tacos. She admits to grabbing a bite of her son's breakfast if it aligns with her eating schedule.
- Lunch: Lunch typically consists of protein (steak, fish, or chicken) and vegetables. She enjoys experimenting with different veggie side dishes.
- Dinner: Dinner is similar to lunch, featuring protein and vegetables, or a hearty soup like Italian wedding or tortilla soup.
- Snacks: Longoria prefers salty snacks like olives, pretzels, popcorn, and potato chips over sweets and chocolate.
Connecting with Others: A Key to Well-being
Eva Longoria understands the importance of connecting with others and sharing her experiences. She regularly posts workout videos online, inviting her fans into her fitness journey. She also delves into her heritage in her CNN+ series, "Searching for Mexico," and engages with people through her tequila company, Casa Del Sol.
Longoria emphasizes the importance of me-time and incorporates meditation into her daily routine. She also tracks her sleep using an Oura Ring and shares her scores with friends, turning it into a fun and engaging activity.
A Healthy Mindset
In addition to a healthy lifestyle, Longoria emphasizes the importance of a healthy mindset. She encourages people to embrace their true selves and not be afraid to be authentic. "Sometimes people are scared to be themselves, but I am who I am," she says.