Healthy Habits All “It” Girls Live By

Written by: Cora Gold

Celebrities and influencers — often dubbed “it” girls — seem to effortlessly look good and live a productive life. While genetics play a role, their secret usually lies in a series of simple yet powerful habits. Learn the habits that keep the “it” girls glowing, from must-try workouts to skin care trends.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Workout

According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), HIIT is among the top 10 fitness trends. This workout involves short bursts of intense exercises with quick recovery pauses. The goal is to boost your heart rate as high as possible, providing calorie-burning and cardio-boosting benefits.

It’s fast, fun and loved by many. Many routines involve jumping but some don’t require it, making them more appealing for people with limiting injuries or apartment dwellers. For instance, YouTuber MadFit uploaded an apartment-friendly 30-minute full-body HIIT workout. People in the comments reported weight loss results and better stamina.

75 Hard Challenge

If you’re on the fitness side of TikTok or Instagram, chances are you’ve come across the 75 Hard Challenge. It’s a 75-day plan created by Andy Frisella to help you take complete control of your life by following these six nonnegotiable rules daily:

• Follow a diet

• Do two 45-minute workouts

• Avoid alcohol and cheat meals

• Drink a gallon of water 

• Read 10 pages of a nonfiction book

• Take a progress picture 

After 75 days, you’re expected to experience better self-esteem, weight loss and resilience. If you fail to complete these tasks daily, you must start on day one again. TikTok influencers and celebrities like JoJo have tried the challenge with determination. This lifestyle plan is worth trying if you’re serious about losing weight or improving your fitness habits. If you’re dealing with an illness or injury, visit your doctor to ensure your safety.

Healthy Smoothies

Smoothies made with leafy greens or fruits are popular, but do they live up to the hype? Many A-listers think so. Here are some smoothie recipes enjoyed by celebs:

• Kourtney Kardashian: Strawberries, spinach, bananas, blueberries, probiotics and bone broth powder

• Blake Lively: Kale, fresh mint, beet, parsley and apple

• Lea Michele: Kale, apple, avocado and blueberries

• Gwyneth Paltrow: Almond butter, almond milk, coconut oil, ashwagandha, cordyceps and he shou wu.

Remember that smoothies should not replace balanced meals. They only help supplement your diet by providing your body with an extra boost of vitamins and minerals.

Reformer Pilates

Pilates is everywhere on social media today. It taps into that “clean girl” aesthetic, making it a well-loved workout by many. It’s more than just a fad — it’s an effective workout for toning the body and improving posture. Some A-listers who love it include Lady Gaga, Kate Hudson, Meghan Markle and some Victoria’s Secret models. However, Adele’s weight loss journey truly brought reformer pilates to light.

Proper Hydration

Proper hydration is more prevalent now than ever. Everyone suddenly carries trendy, giant water bottles everywhere to prevent plastic use and dehydration, which can benefit your overall health, including the skin. Beyoncé and Gabrielle Union claim to drink a gallon of water daily to keep skin dryness at bay. However, drinking this much is unnecessary, as it may lead to water intoxication.

The best approach is to follow general recommendations. Women require around 11.5 cups of fluids daily, but this may vary according to activity levels and environmental conditions.

Skin Cycling

On TikTok, #skincycling has hundreds of millions of views, making it one of the most popular skin care hacks. It refers to applying products with rest days in between, helping prevent the overuse of active ingredients. The cycling aspect comes from rotating your products so you’re not using everything all at once and to give your skin time to breathe. 

Some benefits include skin barrier repair, reduced risks of side effects and heightened protection against seasonal issues

Here’s a simple way to do it:

• First night: Cleanse and exfoliate

• Second night: Cleanse and use retinol to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines

• Third night: Cleanse and moisturize

Meditation

Many celebrities have shared how meditating has done wonders for their mental health. Whether it’s to reduce anxiety or boost energy, this practice has become popular among many people, including Dakota Johnson. In an interview with Extra, the actress shared how practicing meditation helped her recuperate during the COVID-19 lockdown. 

Here’s a simple mindfulness meditation technique:

• Find a quiet place where you can focus your awareness on your breath.

• Breathe in and out slowly.

• Repeat until you feel a sense of calm.

Embrace Healthy Habits

Incorporate these wellness practices into your routine so you look and feel your best. Making small changes is key — try one strategy at a time and see which works best for you.