Kate Beckinsale's Diet and Exercise Secrets: How She Stays Fit at 50

Kate Beckinsale, the star of the Underworld film series, defies the aging process with her flawless skin and fit physique. At 50, she looks as youthful as ever, and her 24-year-old daughter could easily pass for her sister. Unlike some celebrities who resort to cosmetic procedures or fad diets, Beckinsale's secret lies in a consistent and dedicated approach to diet and exercise. She prefers to spend her time away from the Hollywood glitz, dressed in workout clothes with her hair tied up. Her love for sports began more than two decades ago, explaining her enduring youthful appearance.

The Start of a Fitness Journey

Beckinsale's fitness journey began in her 20s, as she prepared for her role in Pearl Harbor. Initially, she didn't enjoy exercising, but she needed to lose weight for the role of Nurse Lt. Evelyn Johnson. Over the past 20 years, she has transformed from someone who disliked workouts to a dedicated gym-goer.

The Mental and Physical Benefits of Exercise

For Kate Beckinsale, exercise is crucial for both her mental and physical well-being. She told Women’s Health that exercise is almost more important to her mood than anything else, and that the other aspects feel like a great side effect. She is very connected to her body, so if she is going to experience stress, she is probably going to experience it physically. It is usually a good idea for her to do something physical to get rid of it.

She exercises whenever she gets the chance, at least 3 times a week, and sometimes up to 6 days a week. "Exercise improves my mood and I feel much more motivated after the training is over," she says. Training helps her alleviate stress, leaving her feeling reborn after an hour.

Kate Beckinsale’s Workout Routine

Kate Beckinsale's exercise routine is intense and varied. Here's a breakdown of her approach:

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Morning Workouts

Kate is a morning exerciser. She wakes up, eats something, and goes straight to the gym. Training first thing in the morning is a great way to adhere to your fitness routine, as when we get our workout done first thing, it means we are less likely to make excuses or find that other factors outside our control disrupt our workout plans. She sometimes does two-a-days, splitting up cardio and strength training. "If I’m going to do cardio, I’ll do it later on in the day," she said.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Beckinsale focuses on HIIT-style workouts with her trainer, Brad Siskind, six days a week. These workouts incorporate weights, squats, sit-ups, boxing, rowing, and climbing machines. "The whole hour is work," Siskind told Women's Health. "She’s a strong person. I see her six days a week, and she rarely misses a workout. If she does, there’s a good reason. Because otherwise, she’s crushing it.”

Compound Exercises

Kate is big into compound exercises, which work several muscle groups at once. She kicks off her workouts with eight compound exercises that work two muscle groups simultaneously, such as biceps curls as she squats, or situps with combination punches.

Cardio Intervals

After her compound exercises, Kate does 90 to 120 seconds of a cardio interval, like rowing or the VersaClimber. She then repeats her set of eight exercises with heavier weights, bands, or faster reps. This takes about 45 minutes. She often finishes with a cardio interval using a rubber Inertia Wave or one-leg pushes on a curved SkillMill treadmill.

Yoga

Kate is a devoted yogi. She maintains that the practice keeps her limber and protects her body. “I haven’t been injured while doing an action movie, and I think it’s partially from practicing yoga,” she told Women’s Health. When she's shooting on location, she makes time for recorded yoga workouts by Jessica James and Mandy Ingber. Researchers found that people who practiced yoga for at least 30 minutes once a week for at least four years, gained less weight during middle adulthood.

Read also: Inside Kate Beckinsale's Workout

Trampolining

Kate enjoys trampoline fitness, calling it "the greatest thing." She likes to do LEKFit classes, which are streamed online, allowing her to bounce on a trampoline in her kitchen. A NASA study found that rebounding exercise is 68 percent more efficient than jogging.

Boxing

Kate incorporates boxing workouts into her routine. She shared an Instagram video in 2019 of herself punching a dummy.

Tire Flipping

In an impressive Instagram video, Kate flipped a 150-pound tire at the gym.

Core Work

Celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson emphasizes fast-paced, total-body exercises with a focus on Kate's core. Core moves she likes include supermans, pushups with shoulder taps, and bicycle crunches.

Kate Beckinsale’s Diet

Kate Beckinsale's diet is disciplined and focused on whole, nutrient-rich foods.

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High Protein Intake

Her meal plan is based on high protein intake. She likes chicken and eggs and eats them for lunch. For dinner, she eats any fish, while her favorite is salmon. She often starts the day with rye porridge and includes a large portion of salad with each meal, opting for salad greens, horseradish, and seed mix.

Avoiding Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates

For the most part, she tries to steer clear of sugar and refined carbohydrates as they make her feel “very sluggish". Instead, she loads up her plate with protein and vegetables, which “suit my body very nicely”.

Clean Eating

Kate maintains a clean diet, trying to avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates. She and her daughter eat clean, with a lot of sautéed vegetables like brussels sprouts and broccoli, chicken, and fish.

Vegetarianism and Reintroduction of Protein

Beckinsale was a long-time vegetarian but started eating fish and chicken on her trainer’s advice. She said that when she was filming Pearl Harbor, she didn’t have enough energy, and the trainer she was working with at the time said ‘You’ve got to start eating chicken and fish.’ So she did, and that helped her.

Alcohol-Free

Kate steers clear of alcohol.

Sample Meals

  • Breakfast: Eggs with avocado toast or a green smoothie sweetened with fresh fruit.
  • Lunch: Lean proteins and fresh veggies, mixed vegetable soup, or a salad with chicken breast or salmon.
  • Dinner: Grilled fresh fish, chicken breast, or turkey.
  • Snacks: Low-carb options and fresh fruit.

Key Principles of Kate Beckinsale's Lifestyle

  • Discipline: Kate emphasizes the importance of discipline in achieving her desired body line.
  • Consistency: She rarely misses a workout and maintains a consistent diet.
  • Listening to Her Body: Kate pays attention to what her body needs and adjusts her routine accordingly.
  • Enjoyment: She finds activities she enjoys, like trampolining and yoga, to stay motivated.
  • Hard Work: Celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson notes that Kate always shows up to work hard.

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