As an L.A.-based celebrity trainer, with A-list clients such as Jessica Alba and Halle Berry, choosing "don't do it for a 'Hollywood body'" as a topic for my first blog may sound like a contradiction.
Having trained talented and beautiful actresses known for their celebrated "bikini bodies," shouldn't I just introduce myself, tell you about my 3-2-1 training method and promise you that it's the secret to getting Jessica Alba's butt or building Halle Berry's abs? I could then share my top tips on the latest diets or cleanses that have been proven to help actresses reach their goals. Secrets, top tips and techniques to get that "Hollywood body," -- it's what celebrity trainers are known to divulge, right?
I really do want you to reach your goals! I want you to be successful, and I'm going to tell you how. And you can believe me, because I've actually been around the "Hollywood body" for years. I've traveled with Jessica Alba for over a decade on remote location shoots, I was there to help Halle Berry get in shape post-baby, I have watched Amanda Seyfried, Kate Beckinsale and Anne Hathaway struggle to fit in their workouts and eat right after working 16 hour days. And let me tell you there's no magic pill; no secret formula.
What I can tell you, though, is that the key to successful weight-loss and toning is choosing the right motivation. When Jess and Halle train they not only do it for their images and their careers, they do it for a greater motivation: They do it for themselves. Jess trains for her health knowing osteoporosis runs in her family. Halle trains to keep her diabetes under control. Both have children and families along with their busy careers which means they require a lot of energy, and daily exercise provides that. I, too, continue to train four to five days a week, having done so for most of my life, because as I approach 50 I want to continue to experience the same quality of life I have gotten used to!
The right motivation is health-driven -- not image-driven. It's not about wanting to emulate the body parts of others, but rather wanting to strengthen your legs and butt so you can remain mobile and powerful. It's about improving your abs and core to make functional movements easier to do. It's about prolonging your life and being healthy enough to live it to the fullest.
It's really about making you the star of your own movie! If your goal is tangible it becomes attainable. If you allow reasonable time to achieve it, then you will see the changes happen. It takes sacrifice, commitment and perseverance. It should be motivation enough to want to go jogging with your kids, hiking with friends or adventure-traveling with your spouse. Body conscious Hollywood will always be there -- will you?