Her sparkly eyes, toned physique and serene demeanour guarantee Meghan Markle will be a picture of radiance for her wedding, but there’s no doubt she works hard to look and feel this good. Here, we discover the secrets of her health routine, and how you can use them to prepare for your own big day.
Get sweaty
When Meghan was filming Suits, she made use of short breaks in her trailer to put on a workout DVD by Tracy Anderson (available from jbhifi.com). She likes the 15-minute bursts of exercise which target specific muscles groups. ‘By the end of the day, you’ve done a full workout,’ she told Shape.
Meghan’s also a fan of Pilates Platinum, calling it ‘the best thing you can do for your body’. In addition to hardcore toning, it also includes a cardio component, which fitness coach Cassey Maynard, from Bufgirls.com, says would be perfect wedding prep.
‘Cardio gets you sweaty, raises your heart rate and gets blood pumping to your skin, as well as releasing stress,’ she explains. And if Meghan ever has trouble motivating herself to exercise, she says she reminds herself how good it will feel afterwards – ‘Euphoric, almost!’ she told Women’s Health.
Enjoy yoga
Growing up with a mother who’s a yoga teacher, Meghan has had a life-long love affair with it. ‘There are so many benefits that come with the practice of yoga,’ she told Best Health.
‘Increased flexibility and muscle strength, greater happiness, increased mental focus, a greater ability to relax, decreased anxiety and better sleep.’
‘Yoga lengthens and strengthens muscles giving a lean, toned, body shape,’ says yogi to the stars, Charlotte Dodson, whose clientele includes Middle Eastern royalty, Miranda Kerr, Lara Worthington, and Stephanie Rice.
‘It helps define your arms and legs, so you’ll feel and look beautiful in your wedding gown.’
Head to charlottedodson.tv for video yoga classes.
Meghan’s green juice
Instead of coffee for an afternoon energy boost, Meghan likes to make a green juice, blending spinach, kale, apple, lemon and ginger in her Vitamix. ‘I always find that sipping on that is a much better boost than a cup of espresso,’ she told Today.
So when you hit that 4pm slump, blend it like Meghan and experience a natural, nutrient-filled lift without the caffeine.
Repeat after me
When she’s under the gaze of millions on May 19, Meghan will need to call on her inner strength. For many years she used the mantra, ‘I choose happiness’, a friend Lindsay Roth revealed in an interview with People.
For brides-to-be, Charlotte suggests the mantra: ‘I am strong, confident and proud of every part of who I am’.
‘You can repeat this a few times quietly,’ she says.
Find your zen
Meghan is a fan of meditation, which could account for the calm way she’s handled her initiation into royal life. Discover the techniques taught by her former meditation coach, Light Watkins, in his new book Bliss More, or check out Strength In Stillness by Bob Roth, the man who taught Oprah, Katy Perry and Ellen DeGeneres to meditate.
If you prefer an app, try OMG, I Can Meditate! to master the art in 10 minutes a day – perfect for the busy bride-to-be! And don’t forget to breathe, says Charlotte.
‘Rest your mind and begin to focus on your breath, it will allow you to truly cherish the gift of every precious moment.’
For the full story see this weeks issue of New Idea – out now.
