Sofia Vergara, the celebrated actress known for her comedic timing and stunning figure, has captivated audiences for years. While she's often admired for her natural beauty, maintaining her physique requires effort and dedication. This article delves into Sofia Vergara's approach to weight loss, fitness, and beauty, drawing upon her own words and insights from her trainers and experts.
Beauty Secrets
Vergara has shared some of her unusual beauty secrets. One such secret involves going to bed wrapped in Saran wrap. She told US Weekly, “When I have time at home I’ll do masks, I’ll put coconut oil all over my hair. When Joe [Manganiello] is out of town I even sleep in [plastic] wrap and coconut oil everywhere - I love products.” Homemade body wraps have a long history, tracing back to ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, with Cleopatra being a notable enthusiast. These wraps are believed to heal and detoxify the body, eliminate excess fat and fluid from tissues, tighten and tone the skin, and provide nourishment and softening effects.
How Body Wraps Work
Dr. Sonia Batra, a dermatologist and co-host of “The Doctors” on CBS, explains that "Saran wrapping traps heat and increases sweat from the skin." Typically, a mask or product is applied to the skin, and the area of concern, like the abdomen, is then sealed with Saran or plastic wrap. Compressive bandages or warm blankets may be used to further cover or seal the wrap.
Effectiveness of Body Wraps
Dr. Batra notes that "the potential benefits are from the products used in conjunction with the wrap that may be helpful as antioxidants, hydrating, or exfoliating agents for the skin." For instance, coconut oil, which Vergara uses, has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties and penetrates the skin more effectively than most other oils. The wrap itself mainly provides a temporary loss of water weight. Dr. Batra adds, "While exercising, using a wrap may enhance results by increasing body temperature and metabolic rate. Wraps work in the short term to slim down or lose inches by increasing water loss."
Short-Term Effects
It is important to recognize that the effects of body wraps are short-term. Dr. Batra clarifies that it is a “quick fix to dehydrate the skin and temporarily lose volume. However, the skin will return to its usual size when a person rehydrates." Any long-term benefits likely come from hydrating or exfoliating products used with the wraps. While wraps can temporarily reduce weight and bloat through water loss, they do not offer long-term fat reduction or cellulite improvement.
Read also: Secrets to Sofia Carson's Figure
Safety Considerations
Wrapping your body tightly, even with beneficial oils like coconut oil, has potential drawbacks. Dr. Batra warns that "in the short term dehydration and fluid shifts can harm overall skin quality." Dehydration can lead to weakness, dizziness, and confusion. The occlusion created by the wrap can clog pores and cause breakouts. The warm, moist environment is also conducive to bacterial and fungal infections, especially with frequent use.
Furthermore, repeated exposure to Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in Saran wrap may leach toxic molecules into the skin. Pregnant or nursing women and individuals with kidney disease or fluid dysregulation should avoid this treatment.
Sunscreen is a must
Vergara told Latina Magazine that her "#1 beauty secret is, she wears “SPF of at least 50 every day.” She told PEOPLE that she regrets not spreading the sunscreen to her chest until now. By applying sunscreen everyday, Vergara protects herself from harmful rays that expedite all signs of aging, as well as skin cancer. Instead, to get her glow, she uses Vita Liberata self-tanner.
Gold Facials
With anti-aging properties, gold is no longer just for jewelry. The $299 Mimi Luzon 24K Pure Gold Mask is meant to renew cells, improve skin elasticity, reduce dryness, slow the decline of collagen production, and treat acne and skin infections.
Light Facials
Before her wedding, Sofia’s dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman told PEOPLE that Vergara was preparing with a wide array of light-based facials. The next was the OxyLight facial, including oxygen infusion, diamond microdermabrasion, microcurrent stimulation to tighten facial muscles, ultrasonic massage to reduce puffiness, and LED exposure to key areas.
Read also: Sofia Richie's Postpartum Journey
Fitness Regimen
Vergara, now in her 50s, acknowledges the importance of exercise, even though she doesn't particularly enjoy it. She told SELF, “I’m aging, and I know that it does make a difference and you can see it in the women and men that work out. Things start to change, and I’m like the only thing to do is go and take care of it.”
Strength Training and Pilates
After hitting 40, Vergara noticed changes in her body and began incorporating more strength training into her routine. She now does Lagree Method workouts, which are Pilates-inspired, using a Megaformer machine. She also attends classes like SLT (Strengthen, Lengthen, Tone).
Vergara told Glamour that her "go-to workout is a Pilates workout on the Lagree Fitness Megaformer machine".
Vergara has “a very nice gym in the house, so I don’t have any excuses,” she told Women’s Health. However, “it’s like torture” for her. “I’m in a bad mood two hours before, I’m in a bad mood while I’m doing it, I’m in a bad mood at the end because I have to schedule the next class,” she confessed.
Trainer Insights
Her trainer Jennifer Yates, founder of Studio Metamorphosis, told People, “We work out at least five times a week for 50 minutes to an hour, depending on her schedule. “She loves working the [glutes],” Yates told People. “We do a lot of squats and deadlifts and a lunges [on the machine], and we do a lot of things off the machine as well. Recently we’ve been combining some of the heavier weights for the lower body because she’s trying to put a little more mass on, so we’ve been doing a lot of work with kettle bells.
Read also: How Sofia Richie Stays in Shape
Cardio
Sofia isn't a fan of running. Instead, she walks on the treadmill at a high incline to build muscle in her butt and legs. She also incorporates spinning classes for cardio. The Cleveland Clinic explains that biking, a low-impact aerobic exercise, is great for building muscle, improving strength and flexibility, and improving balance.
Yoga
Sofía also gets her zenon with yoga. There is a laundry list of reasons to do yoga, explains Harvard Health. “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,” they said. “People who were overweight actually lost weight. Overall, those who practiced yoga had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) compared with those who did not practice yoga. Researchers attributed this to mindfulness.
Workout Motivation
To stay motivated, Vergara relies on a trainer and focuses on her physique. She admitted, “Oh my God, I look at myself in the mirror. And I'm like, I'm almost 40 years old and I need to go!”
Workout schedule
MarieClaire.com spoke to Vergara's trainer Jennifer Yates, who gave us tips on how to cop the actress's workout grind while still maintaining our inner Lazy Girl way of life.
"Typically, if we have a good filming schedule where she has availability, we'll work out between 5-7 days, which is a lot. But she takes a lot of time off when she's busy," Yates says. "It's fine to give yourself a break-your body comes back stronger. You have to let your body rest, even if you're working out a few days during the week. That's why we rotate with Sofia. We have days in between when she rests. If you exhaust the muscles, you're more prone to getting injured."
Vacation is a time to chill. Take note.
Lazy workout
Like the rest of humanity, Sofia isn't a huge fan of running, so she walks on the treadmill at a high incline to build muscle in her butt and legs: "She doesn't like to run, sometimes she'll get on the spin bike for 15 minutes, but she prefers to walk on a high incline."
Yates suggests that you "walk anywhere between a six to eight percent incline, and walk at a speed where you feel a touch out of breath, but you aren't jogging. A steep hike is challenging."
The thought of hiking every day is a horrifying and exhausting prospect for many of us, which is why you should feel free to switch up your routine. "Twice a week we'll do butt exercises because that's the area she really loves to focus on," Yates says. "A couple times, we do upper body and abdominals."
All you need is your own body weight," Yates says. "Crunches are great. During red carpet season we do a lot of upper body and abs-planks are also great. Even if you have a weighted object; you can hold it in one hand, crunch to one side, and pull back up to hit your oblique muscles. You can also get a cheap resistance band for five dollars or less, and wrap it around a secure pole or door knob. If you stand facing that object and do a torso twist, you'll hit your obliques as well. The key is making sure you have the correct form. Holding planks are one of the best full body exercises you can do." Noted.
Sofia might work out 5-7 times a week at her most intense, but no pressure if that's too much for you. "I would suggest 2-3 times a week, and I would say 30 minutes each day," Yates says. It's doable. A lot of people don't have time to workout-we're all busy with family, and work, and school. But 30 minutes a day should be achievable. You can even do 15 minutes of walking in the morning, and 15 minutes of abs in the evening. Being active is important to help with stress and stay healthy-it isn't about looking a certain way or losing weight."
Gym too daunting? Yoga matt shoved in a closet somewhere? One word: Squats. "Sofia and I do a lot of squats, but they're easy. I had to work with her form at the beginning, because when you squat, you want your knees to push back over your ankles. I really want to protect her knees, so I put a bench behind her and wrap a resistance band around her quadriceps. She'll sit down into the chair and comes back up, squeezing her glut muscles as she comes up. You can do it without the bands, but even just sitting down in a chair and coming back up is great, it really engages your abdominals. If you do 25 of those, it's a great way to start gaining strength."
Sample Workout
Jennifer Yates shared this sample workout with Sofia’s favourite exercises. You’ll need gliding discs (hand towels will also work!), a light dumbbell, and a resistance band.
- Elevator Lunge: Stand in a lunge position. Using a gliding disc, slide one leg into standing position. Then, slide back into the lunge. Continue this on one side for two minutes. Then, switch to the next slide.
- Dumbell wall sit: Squat against a wall with a dumbbell in your hand. Hold for 60 seconds.
- Teaser with sliding disc: Get into plank position. Place a disc under both feet. Lift your hips and slide your feet to one side for four counts. Slide back for four counts. Do this on one side for one minute, then repeat.
- Tailbone angel: Sit on the floor and hold one side of your resistance band in each hand. Sit up tall, then lean back and bring your knees toward your chest. You should be balancing on your tailbone. Spread your arms out to the side while lifting your legs out straight. Count to four and then release. Repeat this for one minute.
- Side leg sweep: Get on your hands and knees. Lift your left leg up and out to the side. Then, bring your left leg back to hip height directly behind you for four counts. Then, move it back to the left again for four counts. Repeat this for two minutes. Switch sides and repeat.
- Cheerleader arm circle: Kneel on the floor and hold your resistance band in both hands. Hold the band at chest height in front of you with your palms facing down. Then, bring your arms up, so that your biceps are close to your ears. Rotate your arms so that your palms are facing out. Then, extend your arms out to your side. Circle your arms back to the starting position and repeat.Do this routine at least twice through for a 30-minute workout.
Diet and Nutrition
Balanced Eating
Vergara maintains a disciplined diet, focusing on fresh, healthy foods. She enjoys fruits, vegetables, and fresh meats, but also allows herself treats like ice cream and dessert on the weekends. This approach helps boost metabolism and makes it easier to stick to her diet during the week.
When talking to SELF about her red carpet regimen, Vergara stresses how important it is to avoid sodium. “I try not to eat salty things the night before because I’m very sensitive to salty things and get really puffy eyes.” Since salt causes water retention, this swelling can affect you all over, making those skinny jeans feel even tighter than they did yesterday. While salt is crucial in your diet, you probably need a lot less than you’re currently consuming - the daily average intake is upwards of 4,000 mg when you only need around 500 mg!
Avoiding Processed Foods
Vergara is vigilant about avoiding processed foods and incorporates homemade vegetable juices into her diet.
Cheat Days
It turns out that allowing yourself a weekly cheat is actually proven to boost metabolism and help you stick to your diet later in the week. Both help you to lose more weight overall.
Diet for Endomorph Body Type
Sofia is endomorph body type! This means that she’S naturally curvier (love!), and she can probably gain muscle and fat pretty quickly. Endomorphs typically have a lot of strength and endurance, but it can be hard for them to lose weight. I always suggest that endomorphs keep their carbohydrate content relatively low, which is what Sofia seems to do too. Instead, she eats a lot of protein, which is great for endomorphs.
Sample Meals
For breakfast, Sofia likes to make homemade muesli. She mixes it with Greek yogurt, oats, chia seeds, nuts, and blueberries. Yum! For lunch, Sofia loves a good salad with some fish as protein to top it off. If Sofia is going out for dinner, she loves to opt for a lighter meal like sushi or Middle Eastern food. However, Sofia isn’t afraid to have the occasional pizza, bowl of pasta, or steak either!
Healthy Lifestyle and Cancer
Sofia's battle with thyroid cancer in 2000 significantly changed her perspective on health. It led her to prioritize her well-being and appreciate the importance of a healthy lifestyle. She maintains a healthy diet and avoids smoking and drugs.
Sofia is now a spokeswoman for the campaign “Follow the Script,”, which educates people about hypothyroidism.
Griselda Transformation
Sofia, now 51, took on the role of Griselda Blanco, one of Colombia’s most infamous drug lords, a character far removed from her usual glamorous roles. In her own words, “I’d wrap myself so my butt wouldn’t jiggle. It was like armor.”
Though there’s no official “before and after” weight loss number from Sofia herself, sources estimate Sofia’s weight during this time hovered around 125 to 130 pounds, which is fairly consistent with her usual build but appeared dramatically different on screen due to the prosthetics, makeup, and body suits. She openly revealed, “I didn’t want the bouncing, you know? That Latina bounce.
Healthy Weight Loss vs. If you’re expecting Sofia Vergara to endorse quick fixes or fad diets for the transformation, think again. She has been quite clear that no weight loss drugs or extreme diets played a role in her process. You might ask, “Is this really weight loss if so much is makeup?” A valid question. The Netflix makeup team altered her nose shape, thinned her eyebrows to a 1970s arch, added fake teeth, and layered prosthetics that changed her facial structure.