Amanda Balionis is hitting the Alo gym – in her workout gear. In a new social media post the sports journalist shows off her incredible body, including her flat abs, during an intense exercise session. “Thank you @sarahdigi @alo for understanding the assignment,” she captioned the post. How does she approach diet, fitness, and self-care? Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits.
1. Golf
Amanda is a golfer. She explained to Golf that the sport is mental as much as physical. “In golf, even if you’ve mastered the swing, you’ll never be satisfied if your mental game is weak, and vice versa. Golf is sneaky demanding of both physical and mental strength,” she said. A comprehensive review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that golf's health benefits are extensive, including mind, body, and even lifespan. Benefits include improved longevity, decreased risk of developing heart disease or suffering a stroke, good mental health, and improved strength and balance.
2. Yoga
Amanda maintains that yoga has improved her golf game. “Through controlled breath and meditative movements, practicing yoga has taught me how to stay calm during difficult situations. About three years after I discovered the practice, I became certified in Baptiste-style training. It was an intense 200-hour journey that transformed my mind because it forced me to sort through my own issues before having the capacity to teach others. I now teach whenever I can, and I continue to practice yoga at least a few times a week—the length of each session ranges from 10 to 90 minutes, depending on how stressed I am that day,” she told Golf. “I’ve reaped more mental benefits from yoga as I’ve become physically stronger, and that’s why golf and yoga are far more similar than people realize.”
3. Baths
Amanda enjoys taking baths to unwind. How can baths do your body and mind good? They have been linked to better sleep and even found helpful to minimize anxiety and depression. One recent study even found that they may even boast cardiovascular benefits.
4. Snowboarding
In the winter, you can find Amanda snowboarding. “Jackson is a Hole vibe (I’m sorry I’m this way 😂),” she captioned an Instagram post from the slopes. According to the University of Rochester, snowboarding, like skiing, is a great cardiovascular workout. “Because they are also weight-bearing exercises, they strengthen your bones as they tone your muscles,” they say. “Cardiovascular or aerobic exercises also work to reduce your risk for chronic diseases, and lower blood pressure. They also help you maintain a healthy body weight. Through regular aerobic exercise like skiing and snowboarding, you lower your risk of developing conditions like diabetes and heart disease, having a stroke, and perhaps even getting cancer.”
5. Strength Training
Amanda does a bunch of strength training exercises in her recent workout video, including planks, hip thrusts, and medicine ball slams. According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:
- Develop strong bones
- Manage your weight
- Enhance your quality of life
- Manage chronic conditions
- Sharpen your thinking skills
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