Raquel González is back in the ring – in her fighting clothes. In a new social media post, the WWE announces the return of the fighter, looking as strong as ever in a sleeveless, belly baring top. “@raquelwwe has returned and she’s looking to punch her ticket to #WWEChamber,” they captioned the post. How does the athlete approach diet, fitness, and self-care? Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits.
1. Strength Training and Cardio
Raquel recently revamped her approach to fitness working with former strongman and current WWE Superstar Braun Strowman. She switched from a full-body CrossFit-type routine to a traditional bodybuilding training style. “Physically, I’m more agile and I run a lot more. My endurance is higher, my jumping is higher. A lot of stuff has just become a lot easier for me,” she told Muscle & Fitness. “I’ve been doing a lot of movements that I know I’m going to use in the ring when it comes to throwing around people.” She added to Daily Mail that she also includes cardio in her sessions for stamina. “I don't just walk for 45 minutes, I try to really get in there and get my heart rate going and break a sweat,” she said.
2. Yoga and Massage Therapy
Raquel also added some gentle and restorative practices to her routine: Yoga and massage therapy. She explained to Muscle & Fitness that they help with flexibility and recovery efforts. 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.”
3. Counting Macros, Whole Foods
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Raquel also counts macros and sticks to a whole food diet of lean meat, rice, red potatoes and egg whites, she told Muscle & Fitness. “I pack protein powder and I keep snacks with me just in case - because as you're building muscle and you're trying to maintain your size and your strength, you have to eat,” she added to Daily Mail. She also treats herself to “cheat meals at least once or twice a week,” she says. She “loves carbs” and treats herself to things like “breakfast tacos, juicy burgers, or pasta.”
4. Hydration
Raquel prioritizes hydration, drinking at least a gallon of water a day. According to the Mayo Clinic, hydration is important for a variety of reasons. Water helps get rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements, keeps your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, and helps protect sensitive tissues.
5. Stretching and Warming Up
“I think stretching and warming up and having mobility is very important, especially in what we do because our body sometimes gets contorted in certain ways,” Raquel told Daily Mail. “Having muscle is cool, but also having muscle, it stops your range of motion a little bit. I used to be able to reach the middle of my back, but now I'm so jacked I can't do that anymore. I think mobility is very important before you start lifting.”
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