6 Steps To Take Toward A Healthier Lifestyle, As Told By Shay Mitchell
It's been all of, what, five minutes since the Pretty Little Liars series finale, and already the girls are up and onto new projects. This weekend, for instance, Shay Mitchell teamed up with Propel Electrolyte Water and celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak to kick off the first Propel Co:Labs Fitness Festival, get a little sweaty, and share her tips on how to live a healthy lifestyle with fans.
A quick glance over the the actress's Instagram account speaks for Mitchell's exercise preference -- aka everything and anything to get her active -- so it's no surprise that the actress was pumped to be part of this collaboration.
Personally, I'm in awe of this woman's time management skills. Having recently signed a contract with Warner Bros. Television Group cementing her own production company and involvement in the upcoming Lifetime series You, she also produces and uploads fresh new content to her YouTube channel regularly, travels the globe on lavish "Shaycations," and somehow finds the time to work out consistently.
I'm breaking a sweat just thinking about it.
Elite Daily sat down with the Pretty Little Liars star to chat all things health, wellness, and how to balance it all.
1. Get Active For At Least 30 Minutes Every Day
There's no hard and fast rule to getting fit. Every journey is subjective, but whatever form of exercise you find enjoyable, try to implement at least 30 minutes of movement into your day.
Mitchell told Elite Daily,
My dad is very active. He encouraged my brother and me to be fit -- whether that was taking a walk outside, or moving for at least 30 minutes a day. I've tried to continue that into my adult life, and even amped it up a bit. I try to get to the gym four to five times [a week]. If I can't make it there, I'll take my dog for a walk, or even a bike ride. There are so many ways to get up and move…there's really no excuse not to.
2. Don't Be Afraid To Challenge Yourself
No one is going to fault you if you don't excel at every sport or love every form of exercise. For any health and wellness journey to be effective, it's imperative that you find activities you genuinely enjoy doing.
Mitchell explains,
I did Lagree Pilates and that is on the bigger reformers and that was extremely difficult. I mean, I consider myself to be pretty fit but when I got on that and did a few of those workouts I was like, oh my goodness, this is a whole different level.
Once you've found your niche, don't be afraid to take things up a notch and challenge yourself. For example, if you really love bodyweight squats, add a barbell over your shoulders, or use dumbbell weights to push your mind and body farther.
3. Balance Is Key
Celebrities -- they're just like us! They have jobs, social media accounts, and, OK, trainers, but the point is they still find ways to make time to eat healthy and exercise.
Mitchell tells Elite Daily,
I think you have to [balance life and fitness]. If I don't, I go crazy. I mean, I have to keep them balanced. If I don't, one fails. And going to the gym for me is therapeutic. It's time alone. It's time I get to think and reflect. I like that. I like that I get to put my phone down.
4. When In Doubt, Walk It Out
Can't get to the gym? All you need is your own two feet!
The Pretty Little Liars star explains,
I love seeing people out when I travel, [specifically] walking. That's something you can do no matter what you have available to you. And sometimes, walking is better than running or anything else.
5. Fuel Your Body Before And After You Exercise
There are a ton of ways to fuel your body pre- and post-workout. Regardless of what you choose to snack on, it's always important to stay hydrated and nourish your body with the delicious, energizing foods you deserve.
Mitchell suggests drinking a lot of water pre-, post- and throughout your workout.
As for meals, she tells Elite Daily,
Lately, I've been doing a little more plant-based eating. But, I think for me, it's about not eating too late. I don't like to go to bed with a full stomach, although that does happen sometimes. I'm not the biggest breakfast person either. So I typically hydrate, work out, and then have a smoothie.
6. Remember: Everything In Moderation
Another thing you can infer from Shay Mitchell's Insta feed? She loves to eat, and I'm not just talking salad and apple cider vinegar shots. Italian, Chinese, pizza, pasta -- according to her, it's all good:
Don't feel guilty for what you're eating. And don't plan to work out just to burn it off. Plan to work out because you know you're going to feel great about it after.
Preach, Shay!
