Sofia Vergara's Stay-Fit Secret
April Daniels Hussar,SELF magazine
It's almost Emmy night! All over Hollywood, celebs are surely trying on Spanx and making spray-tan appointments -- not to mention hitting the gym extra hard. But is it really possible to shape up at the last minute? We asked celebrity trainer-to-the-stars Gunnar Peterson -- who happens to work with Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara!
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"You can cram for the exam, but you probably won't get an A!", Peterson tells HealthySELF. In other words, Peterson, who has sculpted sexy stars like Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Tom Brady, says it's not possible to make a major, magical transformation in a matter of days.
Here's the good news: If you have a big event on the horizon and need to shape up as much as possible -- quickly! -- Peterson did share a few A-list tricks you can steal from celebs.
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Watch what you eat. Don't eat TOO many carbs (except the kind you get with veggies). This will help you drop some water weight and slim down in the days leading up to your event, says Peterson.
Exercise wisely! "You can definitely bring enough blood into your muscles to help give them definition and appear more taught," Peterson says. Go for multi-joint movements (meaning squats rather than leg extensions and dips instead of kick-backs) and keep the reps high -- "in the 20-25 rep range." Finally, he says, make sure to "splice a bunch of high-intensity cardio intervals" into your workout. "Circulation is key," says Peterson, "from the way your skin looks to the way it feels."
Stay hydrated. "Hydration is huge," says Peterson. But remember: "You have to start it pre-workout, not during or after."
Pay attention to your posture. This is an easy, but important fix -- standing up straight will help you look (and feel) better!
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When it comes to getting -- and staying -- in shape for the long term, Peterson says, "Consistency is key -- it doesn't have to be fire and brimstone every time you step into the gym, but a little bit of intensity on a regular basis goes a long way." However, he adds: "A little bit all the time is better than a lot, a little of the time."
Which brings us to Peterson's client, Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara. What does Sofia do that we all should be doing? "She's consistent!" says Peterson, adding that he had just worked with her "very early this morning, before her set call." Well, we'd be hitting the gym too if we were her ... the Emmys are only four days away!
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