Raise your hand if after you saw Wonder Woman, you felt empowered to the point where you wanted to backflip off a horse? Same.
You can’t help but admire the Amazonian’s physical strength and endurance, and rightfully so.
Obviously the actors had to go through months of grueling training to prepare for their respective roles. We all don’t have to time, funds, and access that the movie stars have, but don’t let that stop you. You can still increase your strength and fitness level and be your own personal Wonder Woman.
If you’re looking to up your fitness game, we’ve got some tips for you. So even come straight from Gal Gadot, who dished on how she physically prepped for the role.
1. Focus on being strong, not skinny.
Too often when working out, we focus on getting skinny and losing weight. That’s is frequently not the best option. You should focus on strength-training routines that build muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat, and so you might even put on a few pounds. Gal Gadot put on 17 pounds in prep for the movie. Weight gain is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if it means you are putting on muscle mass.
2. Drink lots of water.
Drink a lot of water. And then drink about 10 times more than that. So many of us do not drink nearly enough water, and that can severely hinder your fitness and overall wellness goals. Gal drank a gallon a day during training. She explains that it helped her energize her workouts and snack less. Our bodies often confuse hunger and thirst, but keeping well-hydrated can help prevent that.
3. Focus on good nutrition and great sleep.
Gal’s trainer Mark Twight reinforced the important of nutrition and sleep . He stressed that, “poor nutrition and inadequate sleep reduce the effectiveness of training by 20 to 30 percent.” Who wants that? After all your hard work, you don’t want a poor diet and too few hours of sleep to ruin it all.
4. Train multiple times a week.
You don’t need to hit the gym for 6 hours a day every day, as Gal did to prep for the film. But you should be going multiple times a week, really working various muscle groups and pushing yourself. Sadly, a visit now and again won’t cut it.
5. Try a unique activity
If you get bored of the gym, try out a new activity or skill. Maybe archery or horseback riding, if you truly want to workout Wonder Woman style.
6. Acknowledge that good things take time.
Any article or video that says “5 Minutes to Flat Abs” or “Get a Bigger Butt One Week” are honestly lies. Being physically fit shouldn’t be a fad, but rather a lifestyle. You have to acknowledge that hitting your goals will take time. You won’t just wake up and be fit. It takes months, and even years, depending on your goals and regimen. Gal trained 6 hours a day, for 6 months. So for your average person, that might add up to even a few years of training.
The most important thing to remember throughout your journey is to never compare yourself to anyone else. Create personal goals, for yourself and no one else. Don’t compare yourself to Wonder Woman, but rather let her strength inspire you.
Now go work it!
Photo: Gal Gadot / Instagram
