Celebrity Trainer Danielle Gray’s 5 Tips for Living Healthier

From eating more leafy greens to taking a daily cold plunge, there’s no shortage of things you can do to live healthier. But in a sea of constantly changing suggestions, it can be hard to keep track of what’s really going to make a difference, and what’s just another fitness fad. 

To get to the bottom of things, we asked celebrity trainer, mental health advocate, and Train Like A Gymnast founder Danielle Gray to share her top tips for living healthier in and out of the gym. Her tips are simple enough to add to your everyday routine, but will undoubtedly make an impact on your health, both mentally and physically. And the best part? They don’t cost a dime to add to your life. Keep reading to see her recommendations!

1. Move Your Body

“Stay as active as you can in your regular day-to-day,” the gymnast says. “For example, take the stairs, lunge-walk across the house, do squats while microwaving or boiling water, stretch while watching TV, walk during your lunch breaks, etc. This will allow your body to adapt to staying active, quick, strong, and using food as fuel and energy versus learning to store it.” 

Not only does this allow your body to adapt to staying active, but it also makes it easier to prioritize fitness even if you have a packed schedule or little time to exercise each day. 

2. Be Mindful of Your Calorie Intake 

“Stay conscious of how active you are during the day and how much food and how many drinks you are consuming. If you haven’t moved too much in a day or two, do your best to keep your caloric intake lower,” Gray says. This is especially helpful if your goal is to lose weight, but you find yourself sitting for most of the day. Reducing your caloric intake can help you maintain your goal weight, even if you’re spending a lot of time sedentary.

On the flip side, Gray explains, “if you’ve been busy, traveling, or working out a lot, your body can most likely handle a caloric surplus without a problem. Just remember: our bodies are not exact computers and one day or one week out of the big picture of our entire lives is not going to affect too much, and that dieting never works sustainably.” 

Apps like MyFitnessPal can help calculate how many calories you need to consume based on your activity level and body. Knowing that number can help you meet your individual goals, whether that’s to lose, gain or maintain weight. 

3. Switch it Up 

“Remember that your body adapts to what it does most often,” says the Train Like A Gymnast founder. “Whether that’s a certain type of training, a certain routine, or certain foods, it’s important to change up your training every now and then for muscle confusion, and your diet to make sure you are consuming the proper nutrients. If you haven’t tried a new fitness activity in a long time, take an intro class in an area outside of your comfort zone – rock climbing, boxing, pilates, dance, or even gymnastics! See if you enjoy something new and add that to cross-train your body,” she suggests. 

For those wanting to switch things up and add in some gymnastics, Gray’s app is great for introducing a few new strength and flexibility skills and you can start with a free seven day trial. 

4. Sore ≠ Strong 

Raise your hand if you feel disappointed when a workout doesn’t leave you sore. You’re definitely not alone, but as Gray stresses, “you do not need to be sore the day after every workout you do. In fact, that may be doing you more harm than good. Rest is part of your training. Flexibility is part of your training. High intensity is part of your training. Low intensity is part of your training. Cardio is part of your training. Not every single one will make you sore, but it will make you a well-rounded, fit athlete, and virtually unstoppable.”

5. Don’t Give Up 

We all have setbacks when it comes to training, but Gray emphasizes the importance of staying the course, even when things get tough. 

“Remember that we all have off days, weeks, and sometimes months. Don’t let those down times stop you from staying consistent. What’s most important is you get back to moving. Imagine watching a gymnastics meet on TV, and a gymnast falls off the beam, gets frustrated, walks off the mat, and never finishes her routine; or if you’re on a road trip and you miss your exit so you give up and drive back home – seems odd, doesn’t it? So why do we do this in life when we fall off track? Keep moving, pivot, reframe, and train that ‘consistency’ muscle in your brain,” she says. 

From beginners to experts, Gray’s tips provide simple yet impactful ways to prioritize your health each and every day. ‍

For more healthy-living tips, make sure to follow Danielle @daniellegrayfit and check out Train Like A Gymnast to see how you can transform your training.