She just turned 31 last June 24, and while that for most is an age where you battle a metabolism slowdown, Minka Kelly became Esquire magazine’s reigning “Sexiest Woman Alive.” The 5’8” stunner also won the votes of half a million US Weekly readers as the female Hollywood celebrity with the best over-all body in the recently concluded annual best celebrity body search of the magazine and Gold’s USA.
Charlie’s Angel with a divine body
Kelly is the only child of former Aerosmith guitarist Rick Dufay and former Vegas showgirl Maureen Kelly. She is now filming for the remake of the hit TV series Charlie’s Angels for ABC. While she has placed in the Maxim 100 lists in 2007 and 2008, her sexier body was noticed when she started to train with Gunnar Peterson.
A smart woman, Kelly offered tips in the March issue of Self magazine. She said, “If you don’t let yourself have things you want, especially when it comes to something as simple as food, you’ll fail and end up being less healthful. I try to be sensible and have egg whites and oatmeal for breakfast, a salad with protein for lunch, and fish and veggies at night. But once in a while, I have that cheeseburger and fries!”
She also has a sweet tooth but knows how to balance things. “I don’t feel like dinner’s done unless I have a sweet. I’d rather go for a small slice of real chocolate cake than a bunch of sugar-free cookies. It’s all in moderation,” she says.
She confesses that she doesn’t weigh herself and just takes pride in working out hard enough. Her motivation is as simple as feeling good and not having to buy bigger jeans. She adds, “Exercise is like meditation for me. And I’m giving myself that time!”
The workout that changed her body & her life
“I’ve been working out with Gunnar Peterson and it has completely changed my body, my life, everything. I cannot live without it now. When you have such a good workout, it clears everything up mentally, physically, and you just have a better day,” Kelly claims.
Running on the treadmill is her fat-burning activity of choice. She does this on her own following this pattern: one minute at 5 miles per hour, one minute at 5.5, one at 6, one at 6.5, one at 7, one at 7.5, one at 8, then two minutes at 4.5. Kelly does this nine-minute routine five times or a total of 45 minutes on the treadmill.
Her personal trainer Peterson graduated from Duke University, where he learned from experience as an overweight person that doing a little bit of exercise every day is better than doing a lot on some days. In his opinion, it is better to exercise every day so that it is difficult to give up, such as brushing your teeth or taking a shower.
Peterson is a Beverly Hills-based personal trainer whose clients include celebrities aside from Kelly, such as Sylvester Stallone, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Debra Messing, Penelope Cruz, rock guitarist Slash, professional athletes like Bruce Jenner, and everyday people. Peterson is known for his expertise in functional training and his commitment to developing innovative fitness techniques.
US Weekly also enlisted the help of Gold’s celebrity trainer Ramona Braganza to see what it takes to get Kelly’s lean and athletic figure. “It’s essential to combine a healthy diet with exercise. Eating regularly and staying hydrated throughout the day keep your metabolism cranking,” says Braganza, who recommends eating three meals and two snacks daily. “Make sure your meals and snacks include lean proteins, complex carbs, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and lots of good fats.”
Braganza stresses that although a good workout is important, eating right is 50 percent of the equation.
She encourages readers to try the following moves to sculpt the body in all the right places:
• Curtsies with weights for legs: Any move that involves stepping across your body will target more than just the main muscle groups in your legs. Stand with feet hip-width apart and hold a 5-lb dumbbell in each hand by your sides. Step back on a diagonal with your right leg as you bend your left knee, reaching arms to the ground with the dumbbells. Try to keep your back leg straight in a lunge and drop your butt down as far as possible. Return to standing. Repeat on same side. Reps: 10 on each side, then switch legs. Repeat 2-3 times.
• Plank with a twist for abs: “To achieve Minka’s flat abs and small waist, remember to train your entire core, including your obliques,” says Braganza. Planks are the best way to take your abs workout to the next level. While you’re in plank position (on your toes and forearms, your body in a straight line), add in a twist. Drop your right hip to the ground, then your left. Reps: Keep alternating for 10 reps, rest, then repeat 2-3 times.
• Deadlifts for butt: “Minka’s butt has definition, which can be achieved by doing exercises that target hamstrings along with glutes,” adds Braganza. Stand with feet hip-width apart and hold a pair of 10-lb dumbbells against your thighs. Keeping your back straight and your knees slightly bent, hinge forward and lower the weights. Lower only as far as you comfortably can, then as you squeeze your glutes, raise the dumbbells back to starting position. Reps: 2-3 sets of 20.
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