After seeing Blake Lively shimmy her way into a skin tight Deadpool costume in Deadpool & Wolverine, it’s easy to imagine the actress counting calories and working out for hours on end everyday. But according to her trainer this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Celebrity personal trainer Don Saladino has been working with Blake for years, famously helping the mum of four bounce back after her pregnancies, as well as prepping for physically demanding roles like The Shallows.
The secret to their impressive 13 year working relationship is likely Don’s pragmatic approach to fitness — he believes in finding a realistic balance above all.
“People say it’s 80 per cent diet, it’s 20 per cent training, but it’s 100 per cent mental,” he told Women’s Health.
“It’s your mindset, how you’re willing to approach it and understanding you cannot come into this with 100 per cent effort everyday,” Don explained to the publication. “You can’t always push that hard. It comes down to understanding your body and knowing some days you have to shift gears.”
Blake’s fitness routine, diet and her personal wellbeing are all taken into consideration by Don, who’s spent years fine-tuning the actress’ training regimen — and this is what that looks like.
Quality workouts and consistency are key
“It’s not just about you upping your heart rate, it’s about improving your body’s resilience and energy, while we’re increasing movement quality, we’re making sure we’re optimising everything we do,” Don told Women’s Health.
“We’re all athletes as — even if someone’s not shooting a movie role — adults have to chase their kids or sit at their desk all day long,” he explained. “We’re all battling that same battle, so I try to get people moving the way our bodies are meant to move.”
“It depends on the goal, but I believe in someone giving me three to four days a week with some form of movement and resistance training, alongside getting their steps in during the day, going for walks or a jog, playing, or doing other things that are important,” he continued.
Rest, joy and personal wellbeing are just as important as fitness
“When celebrities are getting ready for these roles and they have a shorter period of time, depending on their stress levels, it might be four to six days a week,” Don explained. “Why is six not better? If someone’s work schedule is out of control and they’re having no time with their children or they’re exhausted on their specific days, I can optimise their time, allowing them the other days of rest and recovery.”
Don also always asks his clients about their sleep habits and their digestion, as they play important roles in the body functioning optimally. “If you fix one, you fix the other,” he explained.
He also encourages his clients to find opportunities in their day to meditate or laugh, because of the ways it can benefit their ability to give more to their workouts. “You got to be happy — enjoy yourself,” he advised.
“As hard as we have to work, you can’t sit there and be business all the time,” he went on to say. “People have to separate themselves from hustle and bustle, keep their side of the street clean, and eliminate a lot of the crap.”
Focus on nutrition and small achievable goals rather than numbers on a scale
There’s nothing that bothers Don more than so-called health professionals telling people how much they should weigh.
“They’re just pulling this number out of the air and assuming that it will result in health and wellness,” he stated. “I can’t even tell you how many people I’ve seen gain a pound or two — who look like they’ve lost 15 — and they’re in incredible shape. One of the worst ways you can quantify success is by the scale.”
Instead he recommends getting motivated by setting small, but achievable, goals throughout your day.
“That might be go to bed [early], or after you have a shower, look in the mirror, and have a moment of gratitude,” he told Women’s Health. “Just focus on your daily goals. Once you start thinking ‘oh, I’ve got to lose 30 pounds’, you start adding stress.”
Don doesn’t believe in restrictive dieting either, and instead tries to encourage moderation and eating quality ingredients with his clients like Blake.
“Don’t eat crap but, if you’re going to eat crap, have better quality crap,” he joked.
For Blake specifically, Don said she always keeps her fridge and pantry stocked with nutrient-rich foods. Think: proteins, vegetables, fruits, slow-burning starches like sweet potato, and healthy fats like avocado, coconut oil, and grass-fed butter.
Main image credit: Getty Images
What do you think of Blake’s approach to fitness?
I try to walk 10,000 steps each day and focus on eating lots of fruits and vegetables
well done !!
Thank you! =)
That’s great. 10,000 steps is a lot. Great effort
Thank you! I always feel better after my walks so it’s a good motivator
I do too but seem to fall short on the 10,000. Especially now that the temperature in Perth is around 40 degrees
I think it’s a good approach, rest and relaxation are so important.
She’s got bad PR right now. This feature on her is curious timing.
She looks amazing.
She sure does, one can but be envious.
Great approach and it shows !!
Yes I think it is all about having a balance, being consistent and find what works for you.
I go to the gym each weekday morning, have the weekends off. It’s about consistency and enjoying the balance.
Balance is important and it is becoming more and more important as we age.
Haha! Funny, but good advice.
Any kind of excercise is good and lots of advise on Facebook as well.
Walking’s the best exercise for me. Plus, I get at least 8 hours sleep each night.
I need to make the effort to get 8 hours sleep nightly. I’m currently at about 6!
i try and exercise daily and eat well the majority of the time
Loving extra Sleep in winter.
I’m thinking the trainer has lots of good ideas to share – really good advice! No for me though to the coconut fat – that’s not good fat for me – too many saturates. I avoid that and opt for a small amount of flaxseed oil a day.
100% about mindset, that’s so true
Certainly a more sensible approach
this is one of the most sensible exercise routines I’ve come across.
I agreed with her. Consistency is the key.