Ivana Nadal in Tulum: “the Life I Want to Live”
Ivana Nadal is enjoying the beautiful beaches and blue skies in Tulum, Mexico. The Argentine star posted pictures of herself in a lilac bathing suit, frolicking on the sand. “Choosing who I want to be, is what reflects the life I want to live. Everything lined up, everything absolutely connected,” she captioned the post. How does she stay so fit?
Low-Carb Diet
Nadal follows a low-carb diet and loves how it makes her feel. “People have a remarkably healthy response to these diets,” says Jeff Volek, PhD, RD. “The body responds in a really elegant way. When you limit carbohydrates, the body gets really good at burning its own body fat because it doesn’t have a lot of sugar to burn for fuel.”
She’s Mindful About Alcohol
Nadal says she cut down on her alcohol intake significantly and immediately noticed benefits. “For some people, even one or two drinks, that bit of disinhibition can cause them to take on behaviors that affect their health, from unhealthy food to illicit drugs to cigarettes,” says Professor Kate Conigrave, a University of Sydney addiction medicine specialist. “So [curbing your alcohol] also helps you live the way you want to live.”
She’s a Runner
Nadal loves running as part of her workout routine. “I think people have a love-hate relationship with running because it can be intimidating to start,” says Peloton tread instructor Jess Sims. “And to that I say, just start! Take some pressure off yourself. Running reduces stress because you need to be super present while doing it. I use running as a form of meditation, in which I really focus on my breath, sometimes even saying a mantra on the inhales and exhales. Running also allows me to separate myself from the other stresses of the day, giving me an opportunity to focus on bettering myself and enjoying a fun playlist.”
She Lifts Weights
Nadal works out six days a week, including weight training with barbells, lifting, deadlifts, and squats. “Numerous studies have shown that strength training can play a role in slowing bone loss, and several show it can even build bone,” says Harvard Health. “This is tremendously useful to help offset age-related declines in bone mass. Activities that put stress on bones can nudge bone-forming cells into action. That stress comes from the tugging and pushing on bone that occur during strength training (as well as weight-bearing aerobic exercises like walking or running). The result is stronger, denser bones.”
She Loves Yoga
Nadal practices yoga several times a week. “By linking movement (poses) and slow, even breaths, yoga can cause the body to respond with relaxation,” says Johanna Goldfarb, MD. “This response has been called the ‘Relaxation Response,’ a reflex first described in the West by Dr. Herbert Benson in the mid-1970s. It is clearly associated with physical benefits, including a calming of the body and mind — something we all could use right now.”
