As Olivia Pope on ABC’s Scandal, Kerry Washington has to find time to exercise and eat right to help keep her lean body in amazing shape. Luckily for us, Kerry has revealed that her secret in achieving and retaining her incredible body is…
…Pilates! Kerry says that Pilates helps her focus on her health and appearance without all the wear and tear to her body. With the help of celebrity Pilates trainers Erika Bloom and Nonna Gleyzer, Kerry keeps camera-ready with four simple moves, combined with healthy eating and cardio training.
Single Leg Curl:
Get on the floor on your hands and knees, your handsneed to be directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips.For more of a challenge use a Pilates ball behind your knee while raising your heel toward the ceiling. Pull the heel of your left foot toward your butt. Squeeze and then return to start. Do 5 to 15 reps, then repeat with your opposite leg.
Single Leg Heel Raise:
Get onto your hands and knees, with your hands directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips. Place the Pilates ball/dumbbell behind your knee and raise your knee an inch off the floor. Raise your left heel toward the ceiling. Squeeze and then return to start. Do 5 to 10 reps, then repeat with your opposite leg. This exercise can also be done without the dumbbell.
Teaser:
Lie on floor/mat, head facing upwards. Lift legs up slightly. Straighten arms behind head. When reaching up inhale and put chin towards chest to roll all the way up. When going down, exhale and scoop the belly to roll down.