Bethenny Frankel, the businesswoman, reality TV star, and founder of Skinnygirl, is known for her outspoken personality and her ability to balance a busy lifestyle. At 54, she’s also admired for her fit physique and realistic approach to health and wellness. Unlike many celebrities who promote restrictive diets and intense workout regimens, Bethenny emphasizes balance, moderation, and listening to your body. Let’s delve into Bethenny Frankel’s diet and exercise routine, exploring the key principles that guide her lifestyle.
The Foundation: A Balanced Lifestyle
Bethenny’s approach to diet and exercise revolves around creating a sustainable and enjoyable lifestyle. She doesn’t believe in quick fixes or extreme measures. Instead, she focuses on making conscious choices that contribute to her overall well-being. “I believe in balance. I believe in sleep, I believe in living, I believe in french fries, I believe in alcohol, and I believe in not being crazy,” she shared. This philosophy underscores her commitment to a realistic and attainable approach to health.
Prioritizing Sleep
Sleep is a cornerstone of Bethenny’s wellness routine. Recognizing its importance, she is “militant” about getting quality rest. She aims for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Her nighttime routine includes:
- Eye mask: To block out light and create a dark sleep environment.
- Night guard: To prevent teeth grinding, a common stress response.
- Mouth tape: To further ease jaw muscles.
- Scented pillow: Fresh out of a warming cabinet, to promote relaxation.
- Magnesium spray: Spritzed on the soles of her feet.
Managing POTS
Bethenny manages Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that causes a rapid increase in heart rate upon standing. To mitigate symptoms, she focuses on:
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day, sometimes supercharging her water intake with electrolyte-rich additives.
- Listening to her body: Paying attention to her body’s signals and adjusting her activity levels accordingly.
Diet: Moderation, Not Deprivation
Bethenny Frankel’s diet is characterized by moderation and mindful eating. She doesn’t believe in eliminating entire food groups or depriving herself of her favorite treats. Instead, she focuses on portion control and making healthy choices most of the time.
Key Principles
- The 80/20 Rule: Bethenny follows a flexible approach where 80% of her food choices are healthy, whole foods, and 20% are indulgent treats. This allows her to enjoy her favorite foods without guilt while still maintaining a balanced diet.
- Tasting Everything, Eating Nothing: Bethenny enjoys a variety of foods but emphasizes tasting rather than overindulging. She picks her spots, enjoying treats in moderation and adjusting her meals accordingly. “If I know I’m going to some crazy doughnut place or hotdog place, I may not have the meal that comes before that. But I won’t not eat at all, otherwise, you’re gonna go there and overeat on that. It’ll just be a light day.”
- Portion Control: Bethenny is mindful of portion sizes, using smaller plates and avoiding overeating. She stops eating before she feels full, finding the feeling of fullness uncomfortable.
- Mindful Eating: She eats slowly and chews her food thoroughly, allowing her to savor each bite and recognize when she’s satisfied.
- Whole Foods: Bethenny emphasizes eating whole, natural foods like vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. She recommends organic, locally grown options when possible and avoiding processed and packaged foods.
- No Food is Off-Limits: Frankel’s plan doesn’t restrict any specific food, promoting a balanced approach where all foods can be enjoyed in moderation.
Sample Meal Choices
- Lean Proteins: Chicken, beef.
- Fruits and Vegetables: A wide variety of fresh produce, including her favorites like pineapple and watermelon.
- Healthy Snacks: Almonds, hummus and wheat pretzels, dark chocolate with almonds, and Skinnygirl nutrition bars.
- Indulgences: French fries, cake, pizza, and the occasional cocktail.
Smart Snacking
Bethenny has shared several tips for smart snacking:
- Purposeful Snacking: Snack when genuinely hungry, not out of habit or boredom.
- Limited Portions: Aim for snacks with around 200 calories. Avoid eating directly from large bags or containers.
- Accessibility: Keep healthy snacks readily available.
A Word on “Girl Dinners”
Bethenny is known for her “girl dinners,” which are simple, often unconventional meals. One example is her late-night snack of cottage cheese, everything bagel seasoning, and lemon pepper on cracker bread. These quick and easy meals reflect her focus on simplicity and efficiency in the kitchen.
Exercise: Staying Active Without the Gym
Bethenny doesn’t adhere to a strict workout regimen or spend hours at the gym. Instead, she focuses on incorporating physical activity into her daily life in ways she enjoys.
Key Principles
- Walking: Her go-to form of exercise. She aims for 10,000 steps per day, preferably outdoors in nature. Studies show that walking at least 8,000 steps daily can significantly lower the risk of death from all causes.
- Enjoyable Activities: She participates in activities she enjoys, such as swimming, snowboarding, surfing, and yoga.
- Listening to Her Body: She does what feels good for her body, avoiding strenuous workouts that feel like a burden.
- Staying Active: Prioritizing movement to feel energized and healthy.
Body by Bethenny
Bethenny has a yoga-focused workout DVD called “Body by Bethenny” with yoga instructor Kristin McGee. The 40-minute routine can be modified for different fitness levels and includes a short strength-training segment and a “Booty Blast” for targeted muscle work.
Mindset: The Key to Success
Bethenny’s success in maintaining a healthy lifestyle is rooted in her mindset. She emphasizes:
- Balance: Finding a balance between healthy choices and indulgences.
- Self-Acceptance: Embracing her body and focusing on feeling good rather than achieving an unrealistic ideal.
- Prioritizing Happiness: Making choices that contribute to her overall happiness and well-being.
- Moderation Over Extremes: Avoiding restrictive diets and intense workout regimens that are unsustainable in the long run.
- Self-Care: Making time for activities that promote relaxation and mental well-being, such as meditation and prioritizing sleep.
The “Naturally Thin” Philosophy
Bethenny’s approach to eating aligns with the principles outlined in her book, “Naturally Thin.” The book promotes a change in one’s relationship with food, emphasizing mindful eating and moderation rather than strict dieting. Key principles include:
- Eating Well, But Sparingly: Enjoying all foods in moderation, focusing on quality over quantity.
- Balancing Foods: Balancing starches with proteins and vegetables with sweets.
- Listening to Your Body: Paying attention to hunger cues and eating when genuinely hungry.
- Honoring Dietary Preferences: Accommodating individual dietary needs and preferences, whether gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian, or vegan.
Final Thoughts: A Sustainable Approach
Bethenny Frankel’s diet and exercise routine is a testament to the power of balance, moderation, and self-awareness. Her approach is not about achieving perfection but about creating a sustainable lifestyle that promotes physical and mental well-being. By prioritizing sleep, mindful eating, enjoyable activities, and a positive mindset, Bethenny has found a way to maintain a healthy and fulfilling life. Her story is an inspiration to those seeking a realistic and attainable approach to health and wellness.
