Shona Vertue is stretching – in her two-piece workout gear. In a new social media post the fitness influencer flaunts her amazing figure in an exercise set while revealing a flexibility sequence. “There’s something about flexibility work in the morning that wakes you up in a different way. Sure, it’s way harder and hurts a little more, but I really think it’s worth it. I’m still going to drink coffee, but I highly recommend taking time out for this neck and shoulder sequence. I usually hold each pose for 5 breaths (dynamic stretches I’ll do 10 each side),” she captioned the Instagram video. How does she approach diet, fitness, and self-care? Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits.
Eat Out of Hunger
Emotions have a “great impact on our hunger levels,” Shona explained to the Daily Mail . She has a hack for making sure you are eating out of hunger. “When you want to eat, ask yourself if a snack will truly ‘fix’ your situation, or if there's a better choice that aligns with a long-term solution,” she said.
Take Some Deep Breaths Before Eating
Another one of her hacks? “Excessive stress has negative implications for our digestive enzymes, so we want to make sure that we take a few deep breaths to calm the nervous system before eating,” she said. Be “present” when chewing and chew each mouthful 5-10 times she says. And, don’t eat in front of the TV, she says, which will likely cause you to “'over-eat and under-chew.”
Avoid Ultra Restrictive Diet
Shona isn’t a fan of ultra restrictive diets. She also warns against thinking about food as inherently “good” or “bad. Instead, “Food should be enjoyed and not used as a tool for punishment or reward,” she says.
Protein
“Protein intake isn't just about preserving muscle mass - even though this is hugely important for all of us; it's also necessary for many bodily processes from making digestive enzymes to hormone production, immune and cognitive function,” she says. “Building meals around a protein source ensures that we get the necessary amino acids that our bodies need to function and thrive. We can store fat and we can store carbohydrates, but we can't store protein.”According to clinical trials, consuming more protein than the recommended dietary allowance not only reduces body weight (BW), but also enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass (FFM) in both low-calorie and standard-calorie diets.
Fiber
Shona calls fiber, the “unsung hero of our digestive system,” she says. “Fiber is a non-digestible carbohydrate that helps us maintain healthy bowels, regularity and supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in our gut.” She recommends between 25 and 30 grams per day.
Shutterstock
Niamh Cullen/Instagram
Niamh Cullen/Instagram
Niamh Cullen/Instagram
