Melissa Gorga, star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, has always been admired for her incredible shape. The 45-year-old mother of three balances her roles as a businesswoman, reality TV personality, and dedicated wife, while prioritizing her health and fitness. Gorga emphasizes that maintaining her physique is a lifestyle choice, not a fleeting trend. Let's delve into the details of Melissa Gorga's diet and exercise plan, revealing the secrets to her enviable figure.
A Sustainable Lifestyle: Fitness and Healthy Eating
Melissa Gorga openly admits that "I have always been that girl who keeps up with myself," emphasizing that she has integrated fitness and healthy eating into her daily life. For Melissa, staying in shape isn't just about looking good; it's about feeling good. She told Women’s Health that she feels better when she eats healthy. If I don’t work out for a week or two, I feel miserable.
Workout Routine: Strength Training and Targeted Toning
Gorga's workout routine focuses on strength training, which she prefers over excessive cardio. She told Women’s Health, “I don’t like a lot of muscle. I like to stay a little bit more feminine. I don’t know. I don’t think it would look right.” She works out at least four times a week for about an hour, targeting her "butts and guts" to tone her abs and booty. Her workouts often involve lifting weights, lunges with 12- to 20-pound weights, and squats.
Melissa incorporates fun into her routine, as evidenced by her "90's R&B workout" which she shared on Instagram. She mixes seated cable pulls, lying leg curls, and seated leg extensions with dance breaks, demonstrating that exercise doesn't have to be a chore.
When self-quarantine made it difficult to hit the gym, Melissa got creative with her at-home workouts, turning them into "jam sessions" with upbeat music and dance breaks.
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Melissa even revealed she tried Emsculpt, a non-invasive procedure that simulates 20,000 squats in 30 minutes, noting that it left her sore the next day.
Diet Principles: Portion Control and Avoiding Fads
Melissa avoids fad diets, sticking to a balanced approach with portion control. “I never do fad diets,” Melissa dished to Women’s Health. “I feel like I do a lot better with my own routine. It’s worked for me forever.” She prioritizes healthy habits over temporary fixes. She focuses her meals around protein and keeps carbs to a minimum, particularly in the evening. A typical lunch might include a grilled chicken salad or turkey sandwich, while dinner consists of a piece of meat and vegetables.
Melissa is mindful of her diet even when dining out, making healthy choices and avoiding overindulgence.
Hydration and Avoiding Bloating
Melissa emphasizes the importance of hydration, stating that she's "huge" on drinking "so much" water. She told Us Weekly, “I pee a lot because I drink a lot of water. So I feel like I’m constantly running to the bathroom because I just drink so much water. So … I know it’s such, like, a cliche, but it’s so true. It’s one of the truest things for your skin and for the flush out your body."
To avoid bloating, Melissa is careful about her sodium intake, especially before slipping into a swimsuit. “I won’t eat, like, salty food the day before, ‘cause I do retain water,” she told Us Weekly. “So, it’s like, I pay attention if I’m going to eat, like, anything really salty or Chinese food or anything that’s going to give me a lot of salt.
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Indulgences and Balance
Despite her disciplined approach, Melissa allows herself occasional indulgences. She enjoys Sunday Italian dinners with her family, savoring pasta, pizza, and other traditional dishes. When a sweet craving strikes, she opts for berries instead of high-calorie desserts, setting a healthy example for her children.
Beauty and Skincare
Melissa complements her fitness and diet regimen with a dedicated skincare routine. She emphasizes the importance of protecting the chest and neck, stating, “I always say this: ladies, your chest right here shows your age quicker than your face. ‘Cause we know you’re all getting botox. … You gotta cover your chest and your neck the way that you would cover your face. I feel like it is so important." She also uses pure zinc on her face for sun protection.
Melissa admits to being a fan of hydro facials and Botox to keep her skin fresh.
Maintaining a Fun and Balanced Life
Melissa emphasizes the importance of maintaining a fun and balanced life with her husband, Joe. “Joe and I still date, we still go out. Like when we first met, we really, really do. Like, I am really fun,” she gushed about their dating life. “I think I keep the fun in the relationship and we really have a fun relationship so we didn’t ever like lay down and say, oh we’re getting old."
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