Salma Hayek, the celebrated actress and producer, continues to captivate audiences not only with her on-screen performances but also with her radiant health and timeless beauty. At 58, she defies conventional expectations, proving that fitness doesn’t necessarily require grueling workouts. Instead, Hayek embraces a surprisingly minimal and mindful approach to staying in shape, focusing on integrating movement into her daily life and prioritizing overall well-being.
The Anti-Gym Philosophy
Hayek has openly expressed her dislike for traditional, regimented workouts. She admits that her busy schedule, often filled with 20-hour workdays, leaves little time for structured gym sessions. “I don’t have time to exercise. I am working,” she stated. This acknowledgment resonates with many who struggle to fit lengthy workouts into their demanding lives.
Movement as a Lifestyle
Instead of hitting the gym, Hayek focuses on incorporating movement into her daily routine. She credits a London-based woman who taught her how to engage her muscles throughout the day, even during simple activities like brushing her teeth. “I work with a woman in London who taught me how to hold my body in a way where the muscles are activated all day long,” Hayek explained. “So even when you brush your teeth, you’re working the muscles”. This technique, which she describes as “restorative yoga,” involves toning muscles without clenching them, emphasizing relaxation and focusing on the specific muscles being used.
The Power of Posture
Maintaining good posture is a pivotal aspect of Hayek’s fitness regime. As we age, the tendency to slouch increases, impacting our health and making us appear older. Hayek believes in the transformative power of good posture, which involves elongating the neck and aligning the ears and shoulders.
Meditation for Mindfulness
Beyond physical activity, Hayek emphasizes the importance of meditation for maintaining her figure. She passionately advocates for this practice, stating, “I genuinely believe it’s meditation that keeps me in shape”. Her personal form of meditation allows her to immerse herself so deeply that she can practice “for hours without even noticing the passage of time”. Meditation promotes heightened awareness and concentration, contributing to overall well-being.
A Diverse Exercise Palette
When time permits, Hayek enjoys a variety of exercises, including swimming, yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, and ball work. This diversity keeps her engaged and ensures a comprehensive fitness regimen that targets different muscle groups and promotes overall well-being.
Swimming
Swimming is a key component of Hayek’s fitness routine. She often shares glimpses of her pool sessions, showcasing her toned physique and love for the water. Swimming offers a low-impact, full-body workout that enhances cardiovascular health, builds strength, and promotes flexibility. It is an excellent option for those seeking a transformative exercise that is easy on the joints.
Restorative Yoga
On particularly hectic days, Hayek turns to restorative yoga. This practice involves holding the body in ways that engage muscles throughout the day, even during routine activities. This mindful approach ensures that her muscles remain active, contributing to her toned physique without requiring dedicated workout sessions.
Short and Sweet Workouts
When she does engage in more formal workouts, Hayek keeps them short and sweet. Her former trainer, Sara Shears, revealed that Hayek favors cardio and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to keep her heart rate up, complemented by strength training to add definition. These workouts typically last 30 minutes or less, proving that even brief sessions can yield maximum results.
Walking with Dogs
Hayek also enjoys walking with her dogs as a form of exercise. She once wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of her dogs: “This is my version of exercise and these are my #dogs coaches … These are my trainers!”. This highlights her approach to fitness as an integrated part of her lifestyle rather than a separate, regimented activity.
The Joy of Movement
Hayek emphasizes the importance of finding activities that you enjoy. Whether it’s dancing, swimming, or simply spending time outdoors, engaging in joyful movement makes exercise feel less like a chore and more like a celebration of the body. In a video shared on Instagram, she swam laps and did arm circles and leg lifts, all while underwater. “I hate exercising—but I love to celebrate good moments dancing in the water,” she captioned the video.
Ditching Dieting: A Balanced Approach to Eating
Hayek is not a fan of strict diets. Instead, she believes in moderation, balance, and enjoying meals. “I don’t like to diet, and I’m not good at it,” she said on her website. She eats a balanced diet full of nutritious foods, alongside less nutritious foods that feed her soul.
Key Dietary Principles
- Embrace Healthy Fats: Hayek emphasizes the importance of incorporating good fats into her diet. She makes bone broth, which is full of collagen and beneficial for overall health.
- Limit Animal Consumption: While she enjoys meat, Hayek prefers to consume it sparingly, often going several days without it. This flexible approach allows her to get the benefits of animal proteins without overloading on them.
- Start with a Nutritious Breakfast: Hayek enjoys a unique breakfast concoction: a salad loaded with fresh fruits and veggies like papaya, blueberries, mango, strawberries, pomegranate seeds, celery, red pepper, and cucumber. She tops it with almond and coconut butter and yogurt, creating a delicious and health-boosting meal.
- Chicken Soup for Travel: When traveling and staying in hotels, Hayek opts for chicken soup, a simple yet nutritious meal known for its array of health benefits. Chicken soup is rich in collagen and hyaluronic acid, which help improve skin elasticity and facial pigmentation.
- Lebanese Heritage: Hayek’s diet is influenced by her Lebanese heritage, with a focus on heart-healthy ingredients such as tahini, legumes, olive oil, and fresh herbs and vegetables.
- Moderation and Enjoyment: Hayek’s approach to diet reflects her overall philosophy: balance, moderation, and enjoyment. Her eating habits are about nourishment and pleasure, not deprivation or strict rules.
Clean Eating
Hayek’s eating plan is centered around clean eating, with a focus on fresh, organic vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. She loves making fresh smoothies with kale, spinach, and avocado. While she avoids processed foods and limits her sugar intake as much as possible, she doesn’t eliminate anything completely from her diet. “It’s all about balance,” she shared. “I don’t deprive myself; I just make better choices”.
A Spiritual Connection to Food
According to her trainer, Sara Shears, Hayek practices mindfulness in every aspect of her life. “Food is not just about fuel for Salma; it’s about nourishment for the soul,” Shears explains. Hayek uses meditation and deep breathing to stay grounded, which helps her maintain emotional well-being during stressful times.
Age-Defying Secrets
Hayek has shared several secrets to her age-defying beauty, including:
- Meditation: She credits meditation as a key factor in maintaining her shape and overall well-being.
- Skincare: She leverages radio-frequency and micro-frequency machines to maintain her skin’s tightness and reduce wrinkles.
- Self-Love: Hayek embraces her curves and doesn’t envy anyone else’s body. She focuses on self-love and contentment.
Practical Tips for a Balanced Lifestyle
Hayek’s weight loss story is a testament to the power of consistent, balanced habits. Here are a few tips she shared for anyone looking to embark on their own health journey:
- Find a Routine That Works for You: Embrace activities you enjoy, like swimming and yoga, rather than focusing on grueling workouts.
- Embrace Clean Eating: Focus on eating whole, nutrient-dense foods.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals and adjust your routine accordingly.
- Practice Moderation: Avoid strict diets and allow yourself to enjoy your favorite foods in moderation.
- Stay Active Regularly: Aim for regular activity rather than pushing yourself too hard all the time.
- Prioritize Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation to stay grounded and maintain emotional well-being.
Final Thoughts
Salma Hayek’s approach to fitness is a refreshing reminder that staying in shape doesn’t require extreme measures or endless hours at the gym. By prioritizing mindful movement, a balanced diet, and overall well-being, she has crafted a sustainable and enjoyable lifestyle that keeps her looking and feeling her best. Her secrets are accessible to everyone, proving that age is just a number and that a healthy, vibrant life is within reach for all.
