Danica Patrick is hitting the gym – in tight workout clothes. In a few new social media posts the racing legend flaunts her sculpted body in a loose fitting tank and leggings while executing weighted pull ups during a rigorous workout session. “Wild howls,” she captioned one of the Instagram Stories, tagging Source Performance gym. How does the athlete keep herself fit? Celebwell rounded up her top lifestyle tips for staying in shape.
1. Take a Walk
In a recent social media post, Danica revealed some of her go-to self-care habits. “For me that’s… nature, walking, slow mornings,” she said in the post, adding that it “leads to me feeling really grateful, which is a powerful emotion,” she said. Why is walking such a great exercise to infuse into your day? One study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that walking at a brisk pace for about 30 minutes a day led to a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, dementia and death, compared with walking a similar number of steps but at a slower pace.
2. Get a Massage
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She also revealed another way she unwinds: Massage. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies support the many benefits of getting a regular rub down. These include stress reduction, lessening pain and muscle tightness, increased relaxation, and improved immunity.
3. Go Golfing
Danica has been spending a lot of time on the golf course. “I found the trick to golfing. Barefoot and bikinis,” she captioned a post. “Got a few days of much needed time off for my brain.” In her post from Hawaii she added that she played golf “with the CEO.” 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.
4. Do Yoga
“The only reliable way to change your reality is to change your perception. Happiness is not outside of you, it’s the way you see things,” Danica captioned a recent post of herself doing 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. Mindful eating can lead to a more positive relationship with food and eating.”
5. Fuel Your Body
Danica is a fan of green juice. On her Instagram Stories, she shared her version of St. Patrick’s Day spirits, a cup of “drs orders” green juice, and an “immunity shot with oil of oregano.” As for her diet, Danica eats incredibly clean, consuming lots of plants with lean meats, like salmon, bison, or ground beef sprinkled in. She also loves healthy fats like avocado, and eats a lot of eggs.