Jenna Dewan, the actress, dancer, and mother of two, has captivated audiences with her talent and dedication to health and wellness. From her early career as a dancer for Janet Jackson to her roles in movies like "Step Up" and hosting gigs on "World of Dance," Jenna has always prioritized an active lifestyle. In recent years, she has shared her insights and experiences with fans, offering a glimpse into her approach to fitness, diet, and mental well-being. This article delves into Jenna Dewan's wellness journey, exploring her exercise routines, dietary choices, and mindfulness practices, providing inspiration and practical tips for achieving a balanced and fulfilling life.
Embracing Change and Finding Balance
Jenna Dewan's journey hasn't been without its detours. Splitting from Channing Tatum in 2018, building a new life as a single mom, reconnecting with Steve Kazee, and embracing new love have all been significant life changes. As Jenna sees it, life has only gotten more fulfilling. "I feel better in my skin. I feel more grounded in my body," she says. "I feel excited for this next decade and what is available to create. Even in this crazy year, I still have that feeling."
Jenna recognizes that life is ever-changing and that the key is to adapt and embrace the unknown. "You can't really control how life is going to look-you just know how you want to feel," says Jenna. "I am in no way at that point where I'm like, 'I've got it all figured out.' I'm still learning more about myself every single day: what I want, how I want to experience it. All of that is in flux. I am not one of those people who thinks change doesn't happen. Instead, I own it, I'm happy with it, and I'm excited to see what develops from it.”
Incorporating Movement: Dance, Pilates, and Strength Training
Jenna Dewan's fitness routine is a blend of dance, Pilates, strength training, and walking. Having started as a dancer early in her career, she’s still into all things fitness and wellness today.
"As a dancer, I’m so used to being in my body and using my body," Jenna told TooFab. She incorporates dance into her routine whenever possible, whether it's taking dance classes with upbeat music or doing a 30-minute dance warm-up before other exercises. Dancing offers a fun and effective way to get in a good cardio workout while toning and conditioning muscles.
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In addition to dance, Jenna is a fan of Pilates, which she says helps her feel stronger and activates the same muscles in her core that she uses as a dancer. She logs three or four one-hour Zoom sessions a week with her instructor Kim Carruthers. She also incorporates strength training into her routine, working with a trainer to do deadlifts, squats, and other exercises that help her sculpt and build muscle.
Jenna also enjoys walking and tries to track her steps throughout the day using her Oura ring. She finds that walking helps her stay active and grounded. "I'm happier when I'm moving," she says.
Prioritizing a Healthy Diet: Mostly Vegetarian with Room for Indulgence
Jenna Dewan follows an 80/20 approach to her diet, eating "healthy" 80 percent of the time and indulging 20 percent of the time. She is "pretty healthy," gravitating towards produce, eating “mostly vegetarian” and drinking green juices. She considers eating healthy a way of life because she feels better, plain and simple. Her diet is primarily plant-based, and she switches between strict veganism and vegetarianism. She hasn't eaten meat since she watched a documentary about slaughterhouses when she was a pre-teen and told Women's Health that "it just stuck.
Jenna starts every morning with a green smoothie, blending spinach, romaine, celery, cilantro, parsley, apple, banana, and lemon. She also enjoys celery juice or a green smoothie and a cup of coffee. She loves snacking with her kids, who love hummus with crackers or veggies. Another classic Jenna snack is cut-up apples and other fruit that she can munch on during the day.
For lunch, Jenna typically has a salad with lemon, olive oil, salt, pepper, and a protein like tempeh. She also enjoys Lebanese dishes like tabouli, a salad made of parsley, tomatoes, mint, onion, bulgur, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
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For dinner, Jenna's family often eats Mexican food like vegetable stir-fries, casseroles, and enchiladas. They also enjoy quinoa or rice bowls with black beans. Jenna's kids "eat everything" and are vegetarian as well, which makes it easy for her.
As for indulgences, Jenna goes for salty over sweet, with favorites like nachos or french fries. “I don’t deprive myself,” she says. “But I try to choose healthy most of the time.”
Nurturing Mental Well-being: Meditation, Breathwork, and Self-Care
In addition to physical fitness and a healthy diet, Jenna Dewan prioritizes her mental well-being. She has relied on Vedic meditation-a mantra-based practice similar to transcendental meditation-for years. She’s so serious about it that she has a dedicated nook at home where her kids aren’t allowed. She also incorporates breathwork into her routine, often cycling through a holotropic breathing routine (two breaths in, one breath out) set to music.
"It’s very effective for stress," Jenna says. "You’re creating this rush of oxygen to your brain, and it calms your nervous system. It can be a little uncomfortable at first, but once you get past that, you really open yourself up."
Jenna also emphasizes the importance of self-care, establishing a feel-good morning routine that includes meditation, journaling, and reading from spiritual texts. By tending to her self-care early on, Jenna finds that she’s able to give more to others throughout the day.
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Postpartum Wellness: Rest, Replenishment, and Self-Care
After giving birth to her son Callum in 2020, Jenna Dewan followed the "First 40 Days" model of postpartum rest and replenishment that she had used after the birth of her daughter Everly. This involved hunkering down and focusing on self-care. Jenna also emphasized the importance of finding time for centering and balance with meditation after having a baby.
Jenna recognizes that new mothers often face pressure to bounce back quickly after giving birth, but she encourages women to focus on their own well-being and avoid comparing themselves to others. "I don’t love it because I don’t want that to be the focus ever," Jenna said. "In particular with me, I had a massive surgery. I had a C-section."
Practical Tips for Incorporating Jenna Dewan's Wellness Practices
- Find a form of movement you enjoy: Whether it's dance, Pilates, strength training, or walking, find an activity that you look forward to and that fits into your lifestyle.
- Follow an 80/20 approach to your diet: Focus on eating healthy, whole foods 80 percent of the time, and allow yourself to indulge in your favorite treats 20 percent of the time.
- Prioritize plant-based foods: Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains into your diet.
- Start your day with a green smoothie or juice: This is a great way to get a boost of nutrients and energy.
- Practice mindfulness and meditation: Even a few minutes of daily meditation can help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
- Incorporate breathwork into your routine: Holotropic breathing or other breathwork techniques can help calm your nervous system and promote relaxation.
- Make time for self-care: Whether it's reading, taking a bath, or spending time in nature, make sure to prioritize activities that help you relax and recharge.
- Be kind to yourself: Remember that everyone's journey is different, and it's important to be patient and compassionate with yourself as you work towards your goals.