At 73, Rick Springfield defies age with his energetic performances and commitment to health. The "Jessie's Girl" singer is not slowing down, preparing for his "I Want My 80s Tour" while releasing a new 20-track record titled "Automatic." In a recent interview, Springfield shared his health secrets, revealing his diet and workout routines that keep him in top shape.
Diet: From Vegan to Pescatarian
Springfield once followed a vegan diet but transitioned to pescatarian to ensure he got enough protein. "I tried being a vegan, and it made me feel great, but I looked like hell," he explained. "A friend of mine came up to me and said, 'Are you OK?' I got so thin. So I had to put fish back in [for protein]."
Expert Opinion on Pescatarian Diet
Jesse Feder, a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer, notes that "The pescatarian diet can be quite healthy due to it being high in lean protein and healthy fats." These fats are beneficial for maintaining consistent energy levels. Fish, a staple in the pescatarian diet, is lean, low in calories, and a significant protein source, making it ideal for staying healthy and losing weight.
Home-Cooked Meals
Springfield admits he is not a cook, expressing gratitude for his wife of 40 years, Barbara Porter, who is an "amazing chef." He reminisced about his bachelor days: "When I was a bachelor, I’d make a big pot of brown rice, chop up an onion and put that in the rice with a can of tuna. I’d have that, a baked potato and salad, and live off that for a month." In contrast, Barbara creates incredible meals.
Benefits of Home-Cooked Meals
Feder explains that "The main benefit of home-cooked meals is the absence of preservatives and being able to control how much salt/fat is used in the dish. This is great since you know exactly what you are putting into your body."
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Rigorous Workout Routine
Springfield is serious about staying in shape, so he enlisted the help of a trainer. "I just got a trainer, and I’ve been working out with him," he shared. He doesn’t skip workouts and stays active daily. "I work out every day," Springfield tells PEOPLE in this week's issue. "Basically, I watch what I eat, and I try and stay active."
Benefits of Working with a Trainer and Daily Activity
Feder highlights that "Some of the best things about working with a trainer is the accountability and having the guidance of a professional." A trainer helps keep you on track and motivates you to continue going. Staying active every day is excellent for health and fitness. "When we are active, we are burning calories. This can promote a caloric deficit which can help keep you from gaining weight and even aid in weight loss. Additionally, working out is great for supporting and strengthening the bones, muscles, and joints in our bodies."
Mental Health and Meditation
Springfield has been open about his journey with depression and finds meditation helpful for his mental health. "It's hard to be depressed when you're on stage and there are a bunch of people singing along to you," he said. "I try and do something creative when I do get down. Honestly, depression made me look deep into myself early on. That's food for a writer, really."
The Role of Meditation
Feder explains that "Meditation promotes the activity of your parasympathetic system while calming down the sympathetic system." The parasympathetic system is associated with lower levels of cortisol-the stress hormone-and adrenaline, while the sympathetic system increases heart rate, blood pressure, and feelings of anxiety.
The "I Want My 80s Tour"
Springfield is preparing for his "I Want My 80s Tour" with special guests, including The Hooters, Paul Young, and Tommy Tutone. He anticipates getting even more fit while traveling. "Our show is very active and aerobic," he said. "It takes a lot of energy. We actually come off the road in better shape than we went on."
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New Album: Automatic
Coinciding with the tour, Springfield released his latest album, "Automatic." Love and the death of his front-of-house mixer, Matty Spindel, who passed away from pancreatic cancer, served as major inspirations for the 20-track album. "Songwriting is like talking about it with someone," he said. "It really helps you try to find a place within you to have it live. You have to find that, otherwise it's tough to go on."
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