When it comes to ‘fitspiration’, there’s no doubt actress Gabrielle Union has snagged a place right at the top of our list.
Like Jennifer Lopez and her L.A.’s Finest co-star Jessica Alba, Union appears to be a card-carrying member of the ‘ageing like a fine wine’ club. And while this fact has always been somewhat apparent, the 47-year-old actress drove it home with iconic Instagram snaps of herself and husband Dwyane Wade holidaying in Ischia, Italy.
Relaxing on what appeared to be a yacht, a positively effervescent Union showed off her toned physique in a crochet bikini, which had all of us wondering: how exactly does she do it?
Although it may appear effortless, Union is very open about the hard work involved in maintaining her body, a move that is largely motivated by health and genetics.
“I have a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and I know that can lead to an early death. I want to be a vital and energetic part of my family for a long time, not to be big mama in a rocking chair in the TV room, or huffing and puffing just going up stairs. I work out not because I get off on it, but because I want to live!” she told Women’s Health.
Sounds like an ethos worth the sweat. Scroll on to see everything Gabrielle Union does to take care of her body and maintain her figure.
EXERCISE: Full-body workouts
Frequently sharing her training videos with her 13.4 million Instagram followers, Union does an array of full-body compound exercises that challenge multiple muscles at once.
As for what gets her up in the early in the morning to get it done before her gruelling filming schedule starts? Coffee, and her inability to leave people waiting on her.
“You know how you swing your legs off to the side of the bed?” she said in an interview with Women’s Health U.S.
“That’s when you really think about life’s decisions: ‘How much would it cost if I cancel? What does traffic look like? Should I go back to sleep?’ I don’t leave people hanging.”
Image via @gabunion
EXERCISE: Strength training and Pilates
In addition to doing 15 to 20 minutes of cardio daily, Union credits her toned body to a regular combination of strength training and Pilates.
“I’m not a morning person, but I have to work out early because of my schedule. The great thing about Pilates is that I can take out my annoyance from waking up early on the machines instead of human beings. It’s for the greater good. My body responds to it, and I’m also more clear,” she said.
Image via @gabunion
WELLNESS: Vitamin D
Going hand-in-hand with her active Miami lifestyle, Union ensures she spends plenty of time outdoors to maximise her vitamin D intake.
“I need vitamin D on my face. Give me a trail, a park, a walk down the street with the dogs, a breeze, rain. I’ll go hike. I’ll get a lawn chair sit outside my trailer so I’m not trapped inside,” she told Women’s Health U.K.
Image via @gabunion
DIET: Lots of water
When it comes to maintaining her glowing visage at 46, Union’s go-to anti-ageing secret isn’t a cream or serum, but good old-fashioned H2O.
“My ‘secret’… best anti-aging product there is #43 #IPeeAlot #getalotofreadingdone…,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
“I add lemon for taste and try to finish the gallon by 6pm otherwise you go all night.”
Image via @gabunion
DIET: Almost vegan
While Union follows an “almost vegan diet” most of the time, she does love and eat meat occasionally. In an interview with Everyday Health she revealed that she has also “eliminated gluten, soy, and dairy” from her diet and that “it’s actually made a huge difference.”
Although vegetables reign supreme where her diet is concerned (she loves a beet, carrot and kale juice for her skin), she is not opposed to the odd cheat meal from time to time.
Image via @gabunion
DIET: Occasional cheat meals
When it comes to cheat meals, Union isn’t one to say no. “If I want cupcakes, cookies, or a short stack, I don’t deny myself, and I certainly don’t deny myself bacon,” she told Fitness Magazine.
“But I just stay active, and not let it get too out of control. I eat more vegetables, and just as I love the occasional rib-eye steak, I do try to cut down on the actual portions. I don’t need the 12 ounces that I’m used to; I’ll go for 6 ounces as a happy medium.”
One thing she won’t give up? Alcohol. After cutting it out temporarily upon the advice of a nutritionist and women’s hormone expert, Union decided it wasn’t for her.
“[So] I did it for six weeks,” she said. “Then I was like, ‘I need a drink!'”
Image via @gabunion
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