Before becoming a health and wellness guru, Gwyneth Paltrow was born into fame through her Tony award-winning mother and television producing father. She made a name for herself in Hollywood with films like Shakespeare in Love, Sliding Doors, and her reoccurring role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe alongside Iron Man as his love interest, Pepper Potts.
When off the big screen, you will find Paltrow to be most active through her “modern lifestyle brand,” Goop. Her brand helped her evolve from a weekly blogger in her home kitchen to the business mogul she is today. She spreads her love and passion for beauty, fashion, and wellness while never compromising the standard of her brand; being a place to go for the advice that feels like it is coming from a friend, not an algorithm.
“I’m incredibly close to the common woman in that I’m a woman and I’m a mother. We all are in a physical body with beating hearts, with compassion and love. We want to be healthy and happy and squeeze the most that we can out of life. I think that’s all women.”
Morning Routine
A mother of two, Paltrow is the first one to rise every morning to help get her kids Apple, 14, and Moses, 12, ready and off to school. For a quick, healthy breakfast, the Morning Smoothie is her food of choice. While this recipe is easy to follow, it consists of many ingredients:
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons vanilla mushroom protein powder
- 1 teaspoon maca
- 1 teaspoon ashwagandha
- 1 teaspoon he shou wu
- 1 teaspoon cordyceps
- 1 teaspoon moon dust of choice: Action Dust, Beauty Dust, Brain Dust, Goodnight Dust, Sex Dust, or Spirit Dust.
- a pinch of Himalayan sea salt
- a pinch of vanilla powder (optional)
Daily Workout
Once the kids are at school and she’s had her Breakfast Smoothie, her morning continues with one of her daily workouts. Her calorie burning method of choice varies by day, but she is a longtime follower and loyal supporter of The Tracy Anderson Method.
Whenever asked about how she stays in such great shape, Paltrow consistently says how much she believes in finding time to workout at least 6 days a week, targeting each part of her body on a different day. Whether she is traveling or at home, she makes working out a part of her daily routine, just like brushing her teeth.
“You know, I’m a total die-hard Tracy Anderson fan. Her method works so well for me. I’ve seen all these fads come and go, and nothing works for me the way that Tracy’s approach does, so I really stick with it. She’s amazing.”
Arm Workout:
V-Punch:
Stand with feet just wider than hip-width apart, a 3-pound weight in each hand at hips. Punch right arm all the way up, with palm facing front, 4 times. Repeat with palm facing back. Complete sequence 3 times. Switch sides; repeat.
Walking Plank:
Start in a high plank. Imagine feet pointed to 6 on a clock face. Keep body straight as you rotate counterclockwise slowly until feet are at 3 o’clock. Step back to 6. Rotate clockwise to 9 and back for 1 rep. Do 3 to 5 reps. Take a short break; repeat.
Butt and Legs Workout:
Kick & Reach:
This move will challenge your balance and get your brain engaged in the workout. With your broomstick in one hand, face sideways and extend your leg up and out. As you extend your leg, reach your opposite hand to the ground. Then, bring your leg back in front of you. That’s one rep.
Plie Sweep:
To start, place your feet hip-width apart, and turn your toes out so that your heels touch. Using the stick for balance, dip down into a grand plie. Then, come up to standing position before extending a single leg up and out behind you as high as you can.
T-Pole Hold:
Get down on your knees and place your broomstick on your upper back, draping your wrists over each side in a ‘W’ position. Then, twist to one side, put one hand on the floor and keep one knee on the ground to support you. From here, you will hinge your other knee open and closed. For every second knee hinge, reach the leg you’re working on out and extend it.
Balanced Diet
Getting in a daily workout is just as important as a balanced diet if you’re trying to have a healthy lifestyle. Paltrow will typically follow her workouts with a lunch that is light in the carbohydrate department and heavy in vegetables and protein. Her go-to dish would consist of chicken, fresh vegetables, brown rice, and a quick sauce to bring everything together.
To Paltrow, a balanced diet doesn’t just mean one that makes you healthy, but one that makes you happy. That means knowing when to splurge every once in a while.
“…You want deliciousness, you want a fun life—pleasure! You’re going to have a baguette-and-cheese-and-red-wine frenzy sometimes—but you want it to be a choice you’re awake to: ‘I know this might not make me feel great, but today I’m choosing it anyway.’ “
Clean Sleeping
A healthy life stems from a good nights sleep, according to her expert nutritionist Dr. Frank Lipman, as it affects your metabolism, hormone levels and immune system.
I am sure you have heard of a clean diet, but Paltrow has coined the term “Clean Sleeping” for getting the right amount of sleep you need every night and making it a priority, not just a desire. Every person can fully function on different amounts of sleep, but her recommendation is 7 or 8 hours of quality, uninterrupted slumber.
You can even find a guide on How To Sleep Better on her website, meaning it’s a guarantee – it is Gwyneth approved and used.
While Gwyneth Paltrow has become known for her intense and holistic lifestyle, she always advocates for a balanced life. Even though she is a businesswoman, she is a mother first. Even though she eats clean and healthy, she indulges and enjoys food and drink. She turned her habits into her business, using her platform to spread the ideas, passions, and resources she believes in.
