11 Easy Fitness Tips From Celebrity Trainers That Anyone Can Follow

Health | Did You Know | Celebrity

11 Easy Fitness Tips From Celebrity Trainers That Anyone Can Follow

Harley Pasternak / Fabletics

Are you struggling to meet your weight loss goals?

Drifting from one exercise plan or diet to the next, without seeing any results?

At times like this it could be helpful to hire a personal trainer, like the Hollywood stars do, but who has the money or time for that?

Luckily, trainers who have whipped A-list actors into shape are happy to reveal their secrets, and even total couch potatoes can get healthier using their advice.

1. Don't aim for "perfect"

Blake Lively's trainer says the star didn't obsess over her diet.Columbia Pictures

While stars like The Rock seem to stay in perfect shape, they can only stay that way with help from personal chefs, nutritionists, dietitians, and trainers.

It might sound depressing, but trainers actually recommend lowering your own expectations.

Even stars like Blake Lively plan to break their diet and skip workouts sometimes, as her trainer Don Saldino revealed.

He recommended the super fit star - and mom of two - to enjoy healthy food just 80% of the time.

That leaves room for treats and takeout on your busy days.

2. Get moving when you're not at the gym

Reese Witherspoon and her husband leave their car at home for a bike ride.Reese Witherspoon - Instagram

Trainer to the stars Harley Pasternak has worked with clients like Jessica Simpson and Ariana Grande.

But he never insists they have to spend hours in the gym to look good.

He's an ambassador for the fitness tracker Fitbit, and says getting those 10,000 steps a day is a great way for anyone to live healthier.

Try taking the stairs, walking to work, or even parking further away from the store to sneak in some exercise.

3. Put your workouts first

Khloé Kardashian's trainer recommends an airtight exercise schedule.E!

We all lead such busy lives these days, but trainer Gunnar Peterson says to put your foot down when it's time to exercise.

His clients, like Khloé Kardashian, are told to be strict about their exercise time.

"Don't just say, 'I'll work out Monday, Wednesday, and Friday,'" he explained.

"Say, 'I'm working out Monday at 7 am at the gym, Wednesday at noon I'm taking a boot camp class, and Friday I'm meeting my friend after work at 5:30 to go for a 3-mile run.'"

Even if your workout routine is light, don't let excuses get in your way.

4. Set goals

Pro dancer Julianne Hough sets goals and sticks to them.Julianne Hough - Instagram

Astrid Swan has couched pro athletes like Julianne Hough and movie stars like Jessica Alba.

But she says you don't need to strive to be a supermodel - and you shouldn't - to meet your fitness goals.

Swan recommends setting goals that are meaningful to you. Like being able to chase your grandkids around the park.

Mark Langowski, who trained Good Morning America's Ginger Zee, agrees, suggesting to write down a short and long term fitness goal.

"Once you have them, you have to take action."

5. Don't give up

If your routine is stressing you out, it's probably too intense.Olivia Culpo - Instagram

Even movie stars have days where they just don't want to go to the gym.

Pasternak says if you want to stick with your fitness plan, you need to make it work for you.

That means choosing a diet that's easy on your body, and workout routines that don't exhaust you.

"Whatever you do from a nutrition or exercise perspective," he tells his clients, "make sure it's something you can keep doing every week for the rest of your life."

6. Track your progress

Carrie Underwood's fitness journal keeps her honest.Self

Carrie Underwood swears by one thing to help her stay in shape: her fitness tracker.

Apps like MyFitnessPal, or an old-fashioned journal, will help you stay responsible for your fitness goals and remind you about your progress.

"It helps me make better choices and pay attention to what I'm eating," Underwood says about her app.

Try tracking everything you eat for a week, and see if it encourages you to change your habits.

7. Plan Ahead

'The View' host Bure uses healthy snacks to fight hunger.Candace Cameron Bure - Instagram

Did you know The View host Candace Cameron Bure was commuting between Los Angeles and New York City during her time on the show?

Her schedule was absolutely hectic, but she managed to keep her diet under control while flying back and forth with meal planning.

You don't need to be obsessive, but thinking ahead can help you stay full and avoid temptation eating.

Nicole Winhoffer, Madonna's former trainer, recommends packing "at least two snacks," so you "don't make poor food choices" when hunger strikes.

8. Avoid late night meals

Jennifer Hudson says watching *when* she ate helped slim down.Fox / ITV

The Voice judge Jennifer Hudson famously lost 80 pounds with the help of Weight Watchers.

But the singer says her smart eating habits helped too, as she explained on the British talk show Lorraine.

"If it's early in the morning, [I tell myself] 'OK, I would still be asleep right now, So I'm not going to eat.'"

The same goes for late at night, when you should be in bed. And it's not just for your waistline either, those midnight snacks are terrible for your sleep schedule.

9. Add in (light) weights

PXhere

A number of celebrity trainers agree that focusing on cardio exercise alone is a mistake.

Ashley Borden, who coached stars like Christina Aguilera, says weightlifting is one of the best ways to burn fat.

But it doesn't have to be exhausting.

Just doing 10 repetition sets of simple exercises with a pillow or water bottle is enough to get your blood pumping.

10. Change your attitude

A positive attitude makes any workout easier.Splash

Maybe the biggest obstacle to your fitness goals is you.

You need to stay positive, or else you'll give up on your plan at the first sign of trouble, says Reese Witherspoon's trainer Simone De La Rue.

"Ultimately, without the change of mentality, the person will always revert to the old habits that have become ingrained," she explained.

"The change of attitude is key."

Get positive about exercise by picking activities you actually enjoy, taking time to rest, and joining a fun group class where you can socialize.

11. Get active early

Rise and shine to start your day on a good foot.Fabletics

A morning workout? It sounds brutal, but Teddy Bass tells all his clients - including Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu - to break a sweat first thing in the morning.

The early burst of energy gives your metabolism a boost, helping you feel fuller for longer.

It also prevents skipping exercise because of excuses. When you work out first thing, there's nothing getting in your way.

Good luck with your fitness goals! Stick to them!

Here are more helpful health articles:

I write about all sorts of things for Shared, especially weird facts, celebrity news, and viral stories.