Mario Lopez, known for his roles on "Saved by the Bell," "Extra," and numerous other entertainment ventures, has maintained an enviable physique throughout his career. Beyond his on-screen charisma, Lopez's dedication to fitness stems from a commitment to overall well-being, shaped by personal experiences and a holistic approach to health. He is a busy man, but he always finds time to work out, because he trains more for sanity than vanity.
Early Life Health Challenges
Mario Lopez's journey to health and fitness began with overcoming significant obstacles early in life. He was born with an underdeveloped stomach, which led to severe weight loss and weakness. His condition was so critical that a priest was called to administer last rites. Determined to save his son, Lopez's father sought help from a "bruja" (healer) in Ensenada, Mexico. This decision proved pivotal, as Lopez's health improved significantly under her care. Lopez maintains a strong connection with the “bruja” from his childhood and credits her with expediting his recovery.
Mario Lopez's Knockout Fitness
In his book, "Mario Lopez's Knockout Fitness," co-authored with fitness expert Jeff O'Connell, Lopez shares his approach to achieving a toned physique while having fun. The book emphasizes a three-phase program designed to help readers of all fitness levels achieve results.
Key Principles of the Knockout Fitness Program
- Fun and Engagement: Lopez stresses the importance of enjoying workouts to ensure adherence. "If you're not having fun, you'll never stick with it," he states, highlighting "Mario's Rule of Fitness."
- Progressive Training: The program is structured into three phases, with beginners spending four weeks in each phase (totaling 12 weeks) and more experienced individuals spending two weeks in each phase (totaling six weeks).
- Comprehensive Approach: The program incorporates various exercises, from simple lifts and body-weight movements in Phase I to more demanding exercises in Phase II, and instability elements with shorter rest periods in Phase III.
- Variability and Uniqueness: Lopez emphasizes the importance of unique and variable workouts, incorporating elements like bench jumps, medicine ball tosses, triple sets, and even basketball, volleyball, or dance workouts.
The Three Phases of Training
The six- or 12-week scheme, depending on your fitness level, allows you to build by starting off with simple lifts and body-weight moves in Phase I; moving on to more demanding moves in Phase II; and then adding some instability elements while shortening rest periods in Phase III, at which point you're training more or less like I do. Over the course of these six weeks, I'll gradually build up your strength and conditioning while introducing you to different "qualities" of training, especially power and explosiveness. Those qualities aren't just for guys, either. You need them if you want to smash a tennis ball or spike a volleyball, ladies. And I'll do it in a way that's safe, effective, and most of all, fun. All of your fitness goals are going to be satisfied without you even telling me what they are, because we're going to hit every single area of your body to the max. No stone will be left unturned. If you want to have a great butt, you're going to have a great butt at the end of this program, even though you didn't tell me you wanted a great butt. Ditto for firm arms, a tight stomach, and every other showcase body part.
Extra Lean: A Balanced Approach to Diet
In his New York Times bestselling diet book, "Extra Lean," Lopez shares his philosophy of permanent weight loss through balanced eating habits. The "Extra Lean" plan focuses on three core principles:
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The Three Rules of Living Extra Lean
- Balance Daily Intake: Balancing your daily intake of carbs, protein, and fat is the first, and possibly most important, rule because it requires you to consume the basic nutrients necessary for your body to operate at its best. There are specific ratios of each nutrient that your body needs daily and, if you follow them properly, you can reach a level of efficiency that will allow you to eat whatever you want.
- Practice Proper Portion Control: Practicing proper portion control is knowing when to stop eating and understanding how much you should be eating. The key is to monitor your serving sizes. And the basic logic is that if there’s less on your plate, you will eat less.
- Eat Frequently Throughout the Day: Eating frequently throughout the day allows you to better control your portions and speeds up your metabolism, making your body burn more of the unwanted fat and calories instead of storing them. Think of your metabolism as a furnace. In order to keep the fire burning, you have to constantly put something in there to maintain the heat.
By following these rules, Lopez argues, individuals can train their bodies to continuously burn fat while still enjoying the foods they love.
The Importance of Balance and Moderation
Lopez emphasizes that he is "not necessarily a calorie counter" and believes in an "everything in moderation" approach to diet. He focuses on eating sensible meals with protein, fat, and carbs during the week, while allowing himself to indulge on weekends. "You've got to balance," he advises.
Embracing a Holistic Lifestyle
Lopez's commitment to fitness extends beyond diet and exercise. He integrates various activities into his routine to maintain both physical and mental well-being.
The Role of Martial Arts
Lopez has a blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, which he considers more than just a physical activity. "Jiu jitsu is like physical chess," he explains. "You're constantly learning and expanding your mind. I just love it." He also appreciates the work ethic, confidence, and toughness it instills.
Family Fitness
Fitness is a family affair for Lopez. He engages in martial arts with his kids and attends yoga and spin classes with his wife, Courtney Mazza.
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Adapting with Age
Turning 48 in 2021, Lopez acknowledges the need to adjust his fitness regime as he gets older. He prioritizes stretching and incorporates more limbering exercises to prevent injuries. "As you get older, you can't necessarily match the same intensity, you have to work out a lot smarter," he advises.
Overcoming Health Challenges and Promoting Awareness
Lopez's early health struggles instilled in him a deep appreciation for well-being. He also understands the importance of good health and fitness and firmly emphasized the significance of an active lifestyle and wise health choices. His fitness principles lie beyond just his appearance; it's about well-being and the ability to savor life to its utmost.
A Rare Childhood Disorder
He was not born with a fully developed stomach, resulting in him becoming extremely weak. Since his stomach couldn't properly retain food he lost nearly half of his birth weight.
The Impact of Alternative Medicine
Mario’s upbringing and experiences with his childhood witch doctor shaped his strong belief in alternative medicine. He is still a firm believer in the bruja and their power to heal, especially when Western medicine seemed incapable of curing either his illness or his father’s untreatable leg wound.
Supporting Huntington's Disease Awareness
Having lost his mother to Huntington's disease, Lopez is dedicated to raising awareness and supporting research for a cure. He actively participates in charity events and uses his platform to bring attention to this cause.
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Integrating Bone Broth
His personal nutritionist recommended simply introducing two cups of my Homestyle Bone Broth into his daily routine as the first step a path to improving his digestive health. This is because bone broth is a beneficial solution to Mario's intolerable digestive issues, thus healing and supporting his gut health. Scientific researchers have proved that gut health is responsible for regulating every other system in the body, including the immune system, brain, and skin (1). So, strengthening and sealing the gut have a cascading effect, enhancing overall bodily functions. It also boosts the immune system and positively impacts the production of serotonin, a happy hormone. Moreover, bone broth is not only a rich source of glycine and other nutrients that promote improved gut health, but it also contains high levels of protein and collagen, benefiting the skin, bones, joints, and more (2). Additionally, it is low in other nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and sodium, making it a great addition to most people’s dietary routine.
A Reminder of Resilience
Mario Lopez’s health update was an inspiring journey of this famous television personality’s struggles with a rare genetic illness that resulted in a stomach that was smaller than normal. Coming from a Catholic family, his approach to healing depended mostly on the solutions provided by his childhood Mexican witch doctor, which he still holds closely. He follows a strict workout routine and diet routine that has been curated especially for his gut issues. Lopez is also a passionate advocate of spreading awareness, organizing charitable events, and offering financial aid to Huntington’s disease.