Jessica Alba’s Workout Routine And Diet Plan: Get to Know Her Fitness Secrets
Discover Jessica Alba's workout and dive into her realistic approach to fitness. From Pilates and HIIT to yoga, she swears by them all to maintain her figure!
Jessica Alba has always created a buzz with her fierce acting roles, which ignited her passion for fitness. In addition to her phenomenal acting journey, her athletic body and toned appearance have been a topic of discourse. Jessica Alba’s workout routine and diet plan have left fans and admirers wondering about her fitness secrets.
When asked about her slim figure, she attributes it to gymnastics, martial arts, dance, and strength training. The American star has truly set the bar high for anyone hoping to kickstart a healthier lifestyle. She is passionate about her work and health and her practical approach to fitness is what makes her stand out from the crowd.
The 43-year-old actress once swore by Pilates, HIIT, and yoga to sculpt really strong abs. Jessica has established herself as a Hollywood actress, and garnered attention through characters in numerous box office hits.
Throughout her career, Alba has committed herself to a dedicated gym routine and prioritizes her health for all the right reasons. As you scroll ahead, you will dive into the minute details, dietary plan, and workout routine.
Who Is Jessica Alba?
Jessica Marie Alba is a renowned American actress and businesswoman, who rose to fame right when she was 13. She was born on 28th April 1981 in California, U.S., and kickstarted her acting career with Camp Nowhere, an adventure comedy film in 1991. She got married to Cash Warren in Los Angeles in May 2008 and shares three children.
In 1994, she starred in the Secret World of Alex Mack and secured the lead role in the television series, Dark Angel. Her remarkable performance fetched her global recognition and multiple accolades.
Jessica’s early life was also marked by a lot of health issues. However, she rose fiercely, and today, she stands as an inspiration for millions across the world. Right from her workout regime, exercise preferences, and diet plan to her way of living, she acts as a testament to perseverance, determination, and dedication.
Read More: Jenna Jameson’s Weight Loss: How She Lost 80 Lbs with Keto And Intermittent Fasting
Jessica Alba's Workout Routine
Alba consistently dedicated herself to the roles she accepted. For Mechanic: Resurrection, she trained in various martial arts disciplines. However, her everyday workout routine isn’t very intense.
In one of the interviews, she urged her fans to work out at least two or three times a week. Whether it is a bit of exercise, yoga, going for a walk, or cycling class, it really helped her a lot. Research also states that regular exercise can help you stay healthy, energetic, and independent as you get older. It plays a vital role in preventing health diseases as well as stroke (1).
At first, she disliked exercising, but over time, she discovered that working out served as a stress reliever. She thus, engaged in activities like Pilates, HIIT, and yoga. Research claims that those who exercise regularly have lesser risks of succumbing to depression, negative affectivity, and anxiety (2).
As you scroll down, you will get a closer picture of Jessica’s workout regime.
- She Enjoys High-intensity Workouts
In another interview, the Flipper star mentioned that she enjoys challenging herself with high-intensity and high-energy workouts. For her, engaging in workouts is all about how she feels after the exercise. It clears her thoughts and lends her mental peace.
As per research, High-Intensity Interval Training aka HIIT is a sustainable and effective method for improving cardiorespiratory fitness. Moreover, it imposes superior changes in physiological and physical performance and health-related outcomes (3).
- She Likes Yoga
Alba has expressed her love for yoga stating that she indulges in hot yoga on multiple occasions. She likes doing hot yoga as well as sculpting yoga. Once, she herself revealed that she prefers ticking yoga off her to-do list early.
Yoga is a sustained practice that leads to positive changes, including better self-awareness and an improved sense of energy to live life fully. It is an effective mind-body fitness that involves a combination of muscular activity with a focus on awareness of the self, the breath, and energy. Plus, it generates balanced energy which is vital to the function of the immune system (4).
Jessica disclosed that a couple of times a week, she wakes up at 5:15 in the morning for a hot yoga class. All that she needs is a good alarm and a strong coffee.
Amongst various yoga styles, hot yoga has become one of the most popular workouts. This form of yoga consists of a set of 26 held postures and breathing exercises practiced in a room heated to 40°C (5).
Her personal trainer, Ramona Braganza, revealed that Alba is a fan of Iyengar yoga, which focuses on holding poses longer. Iyengar yoga is currently the most prevalent style of yoga which is based on the teachings of the yoga master, B.K.S. Iyengar (6). She finds it very beneficial to stretch her body out.
- She Does Cycling
Alba is a cycling devotee. She wakes up early to attend a cycling class or do an at-home cycling workout. She also joins her friends with some really fun music. In a way, it is a form of meditation.
Research states that cycling is associated with a lower risk of mortality, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. It also boosts positive mental health and well-being (7).
- She Engages in Cardio Workouts
To avoid feeling bored in the gym, she indulges in cardio workouts. According to her, there is no one-size-fits-all workout. When she has 30 minutes in her hand, she prefers doing 30-minute interval treadmill cardio.
Moreover, she also has a few issues with her knees so she adjusts her cardio workouts accordingly. Her trainer once revealed that she focuses more on overhead exercises using resistance, which helps increase bone density.
Research claims that cardio workouts are one of the best exercises that maintain body stamina and burn fats without appetite change (8).
- She Prioritizes Strength Training
Jessica Alba desires to stay strong, and hence, prioritizes strength training. As per her personal trainer, she makes it a priority to find time for strength training with moderate weights. In addition, she loves engaging in weighted slam balls and works out more on her upper body than her legs.
Strength training leads to an increase in muscle strength, contributes toward potential sporting excellence, and delays age-related diseases (9).
- She Enjoys Pilates
On various occasions, Alba has showcased her killer moves on social media. She adores dance classes and considers them as a great form of workout like a hip-hop class mixed with core Pilates-type exercises. It is a mind-body intervention that helps maintain independence and improve mood state and quality of life (10).
Read More: Gwen Stefani’s Diet And Workout Plan to Stay Fit And Healthy
Insights into Jessica Alba’s Diet Plan
In addition to a dedicated workout regime, Jessica is quite balanced when it comes to her diet. She leaves plenty of room for healthy foods and splurges on plant-based products. She believes the best workout routine won’t do much in the long run if you fail to commit to a healthy diet. With exercise, she gets a little more toned and stronger. And when she wants to slim down, her diet is much more important for her.
Scroll down to check what kind of diet plan Alba maintains.
- She Relishes Upon Plant-based Meals
Jessica eats plant-based meals four days a week. Plant-based diets aim to maximize the consumption of nutrient-dense plant foods while minimizing processed foods, oils, and animal foods. It encourages the consumption of vegetables fruits, beans, peas, lentils, soybeans, seeds, and nuts (11).
Plus, she doesn’t consume alcohol and is much aware of the fact that diet and exercise go hand-in-hand. In one of the interviews, she revealed that she doesn’t consume gluten, dairy, fried foods, and processed foods. She simply sticks to a diet which is low in sugar and carbs, and high in lean protein and vegetables. Dietary intakes of protein and fiber positively related to improved mental health (12).
Her usual menu consists of protein shakes with almond butter, banana, and coconut water. For breakfast, she relishes avocado toast and poached eggs. For snacks, she includes fresh veggies and hummus or popcorn with Himalayan sea salt and coconut oil.
The key to maintaining a balanced diet for her is to stock her home with healthy foods. She tries to have as much fresh food in her diet as possible and the least amount of processed food with unnatural sugars.
- She Drinks Coconut Water to Stay Hydrated
Coconut water is her go-to drink to stay hydrated. Due to its health benefits, she doesn’t drink a ton of other types of drinks. She prefers sipping coffee, tea, and coconut water. She ensures to stay hydrated for glowing skin and high energy. As per her belief, it is important for overall health.
Research states that coconut water contains a bunch of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids necessary for improving human health (13).
- She Mediates to Manage Stress
Lastly, she manages stress by meditating. In one of the interviews, she disclosed that she holds on to a crystal and does breathing exercises, trying to focus on the energy of love, kindness, and calm.
Research states that meditation positively affects the immune system and genetics with benefits seen in physical and mental health (14).
As an actress, entrepreneur, and mother of three, Jessica Alba’s schedule is jam-packed at all times. However, when she doesn’t find time to squeeze in a workout, she doesn’t beat herself up. She is lenient and pretty good at balancing diet with workouts. Overall, Jessica Alba’s workout routine isn’t very rigorous. It involves physical activities that are vital for one’s health. She doesn't smash her fitness goals, instead, she is pretty balanced in prioritizing her health along with work.
Being among the young, ambitious, and hardworking actresses whose careers went from barely recognizable to being constantly followed by paparazzi, Jessica stands as a solid inspiration for many. Her workout routine and diet plan are definitely something you can take cues from.
Sources:
1. Benefits need and importance of daily exercise
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306118434_Benefits_need_and_importance_of_daily_exercise
2. The Effects of Stress on Physical Activity and Exercise
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3894304/
3. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Improves Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF) in Healthy, Overweight and Obese Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Studies
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7215828/
4. Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3193654/
5. Hot Yoga Leads to Greater Well-being: A Six-week Experience-sampling RCT in Healthy Adults
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10268545/
6. Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Efficacy of Iyengar Yoga Therapy on Chronic Low Back Pain*
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4393557/
7. Benefits, risks, barriers, and facilitators to cycling: a narrative review
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10546027/
8. The Influence of Cardio Workout to Aerobic Endurance
9. Adaptations to Endurance and Strength Training
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5983157/
10. Effects of Pilates Training on Physiological and Psychological Health Parameters in Healthy Older Adults and in Older Adults With Clinical Conditions Over 55 Years: A Meta-Analytical Review
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8574969/
11. Nutritional Update for Physicians: Plant-Based Diets
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3662288/
12. Intakes of Lean Proteins and Processed Meats and Differences in Mental Health between Rural and Metro Adults 50 Years and Older
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/18/3056
13. An Overview on Coconut Water: As A Multipurpose Nutrition
14. Meditation and Its Mental and Physical Health Benefits in 2023