Kayla Itsines in Two-Piece Workout Gear Is “Nonstop Inspiration”

She Hikes

Violet is seen hiking in her Instagram post. Harvard Health states that hiking has a lot of benefits. “‘Navigating a winding, wooded trail can help your body build endurance, strength, and coordination,’ says Dr. Edward Phillips, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. ‘Hiking over uneven terrain requires more energy than walking on a level surface, so it burns more calories. If you are hiking uphill, your body has to work even harder,’ he says. A rigorous hike may offer many of the same physical benefits as interval training, which alternates low- and high-intensity exercise to increase cardiovascular fitness. During a hike, your heart rate goes up as you move up an incline and drops when you head downhill.”

She Swims

Violet also likes to swim to keep herself in shape. She shared this set of photos on Instagram of herself in a pool. Violet captioned the post, “It’s giving nirvana.” Harvard Health states that swimming has a lot of benefits. “Relatively few people swim on a regular basis, so large studies looking at the benefits of physical activity in relation to cardiovascular health have tended to lump swimming together with other types of exercise. Plenty of evidence points to lower rates of heart disease among people who do regular, moderate- to vigorous-intensity exercise — and swimming laps definitely fits the bill.”

She Goes To Fitness Classes

Violet shared this video on YouTube of some of her favorite workouts. In it, she is seen in a fitness class. According to Iowa State University, group exercise has a lot of benefits. “The highest quality or type of motivation is called intrinsic motivation – you’re doing something because the behavior itself is enjoyable, satisfying or both. If you enjoy exercise and not just the positive feelings you get after you’ve worked out, you are more likely to stick with it. Exercising with other people can supply that enjoyment, even if the activity itself is difficult or otherwise not something you love. Group exercise can turn working out into a fun social activity, which could lead to you continuing to do it.”

She Uses A Treadmill

In her YouTube video, Violet is seen on the treadmill. Harvard Health states that doing this has a lot of health benefits. "While treadmills may seem boring, they can offer a good alternative for exercise, depending on how you use them," says Dr. Adam Tenforde, with the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. "There is so much more to treadmills than just 'push the button and start walking.' They also can be helpful for people recovering from an injury or surgery, since you can control the speed and intensity, and they are equipped with handrails for added support when needed.”

She Stretches

Violet is also seen stretching in her YouTube video. Stretching is very important. Harvard Health states, “Stretching keeps the muscles flexible and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.”

Here Are The Details

How many reps should you do? “Get it in! 10-15reps per exercise,” Jenkins instructs. “10-15reps or 30-45secs of each move.” She recommends doing a total of two to three sets. In the Instagram clips she demonstrates each exercise, so follow along!

Here Are The Exercises

1. Side Plank + Oblique Crunch

2. Side Lunge + Cross Body Kick

3. Warrior 3 Balance + Leg Reach 10x + Hold 30secs

4. Push-Up + Ankle Tap

5. Reverse Lunge + Rotation

6. Mountain Climbers

7. Squat Jump + Cross Touch (Low Impact remove jump)

8. Plie Squat on Toes

9. High Knees

10. Abs/Obliques Cross Body Toe Touch

Learn To Love Exercise

And, change your attitude! “Lastly, don’t look at exercise and diet as something to dread,” says Jenkins. “Healthy living and moving your body are a way of life and don’t happen overnight. Most importantly, don’t forget a positive attitude. It will set you up for long-term success.”

Hydration

Hydration is also key. “It would be best if you started well-hydrated before you even get moving. Signs like dark urine color will tell you that you need to up your fluid intake before hitting the gym. During a workout, we activate our sweat glands to help cool down the body, which depletes our internal water levels. Dehydration occurs when fluid losses exceed fluid consumed through both foods and drinks. It can impact everything from athletic performance and muscle recovery to mood, alertness, concentration and short-term memory,” she told Abbott.

Diet

If you want to get in shape, you will have to modify your diet as well. “Whether you’re looking to burn fat or strengthen your muscles, you must pay attention to your meal plan just as much as your workout plan,” Jenkins told Abbott. “In general, most people don’t understand how many calories they eat in a day or how many calories they should be eating. If you are trying to burn body fat or slim down, you need to have a calorie negative at the end of the day.” The first step is understanding “what you are eating and how many calories are in your chosen foods,” she claims. “There are 3,500 calories in one pound of fat. If you have a calorie negative of -500 a day, you can achieve a calorie negative of -3500 in a week (7 days) to help you burn off 1 pound of fat. It takes time to learn about the food you put in your body, but it’s necessary, and that knowledge you gain will remain with you for a lifetime. Also, take time to meal prep. Spending an hour at the beginning of your week planning meals will save time and calories.”