As part of our new year goals for 2018 we’re talking to fitness, health and well-being bloggers on what being the best you you can be means to them.
This week we caught up with yoga babe Claudia Mirallegro.
What does well-being mean to you?
Ahhh, one of my favorite topics, well-being. For me, being the best version of yourself = growth. And normally growth comes from getting out of comfort zones. I began getting into well-being when I began practicing yoga on a more deeper level – which was after moving to LA to pursue a career in acting (the irony!). I would feel so pressured at times, lost and uncomfortable. Having a strong yoga discipline helped me see past this. It made me want to be the very best I could be. I fell in love with this feeling and wanted to share, spread and sprinkle this around everyone, that’s why I became a yoga teacher.
P.S if you ever get them feelings of uncomfortableness. Embrace it. Run to it. Let it move you to be the best version of yourself!
Where does your interest in fitness and healthy food come from?
I’ve always been healthy(ish). But for what I believe as the wrong reasons. I would eat foods that would keep me slim rather than to nourish my body. I would exercise to lose weight rather than because it FEELS GOOD.
Lucky, Yoga happened to me. And Yoga taught me to change my mindset from a place of doubt and insecurity to love, kindness and acceptance. Now my approach to my wellbeing is the same.
I really don’t put pressure on myself and only eat/do things that make my body and soul happy. When you begin to respect your body, and treat it with loving care and affection, everything else around you begins to FLOURISH too, because it is your home. Bottom line; the grass grows where you water it.
Why do you think getting fit and eating well is so popular right now?
It’s very contagious. Like I said, when you focus your energy on YOURSELF, you feel good. When you feel your best, you spread positive energy, which helps encourage and inspire others to do the same. So sprinkle positive energy everywhere you go. ::sprinkle, sprinkle, sprinklity, sprinkle::
How do you boost your mood when you’re feeling low?
BREATHE! When you focus on your breathing you are present in the moment so fear of the past/present/future cannot bother you. Focus intently on deep, slow breaths. I like to breathe in for 7 seconds, hold for 4, and breathe out for 8. Also nature. Get outside. I always find reconnecting with nature helps me feel at peace.
What’s your favourite cheat treat?
I’m obsessed with dates and peanut butter. This used to be a go-to healthy snack, a few dates, a few scoops of peanut butter but then they’re so DAMN GOOD that I can go through an entire pack of dates. Everything in moderation guys.
What keeps you motivated to work out and keep in shape?
I choose activities that I enjoy so it never feels like I’m working out. It’s so fun to experiment and play, especially at the moment there are SO many cool things to try out. I’ve recently got into bouldering, hello biceps.
I also think if it feels like a chore or you need motivating to do something then switch things up. Do something different. Keep it exciting. Wake up half an hour earlier and do yoga in your front room, find a class you love and go with a friend, walk rather than catch the bus. Dance, skip, run, climb, backflip, do roly polys – HAVE FUN!
Share your favourite recipe with us?
A Buddha Bowl. Basically a plant-powered bowl of nutritious roasted vegetables.
You’ll need:
3 peppers, 1 courgette, 4 rainbow carrots, sliced, 1 small head broccoli with stems removed and florets cut into small pieces, avocado oil (or oil of choice), soy sauce, salt and pepper amd 1 cup of cooked quinoa.
#1 Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
#2 Place your vegetables on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
#3 Roast in the preheated oven until the vegetables are browned, about 30 minutes.
#4 When the vegetables are roasted, place the vegetables and quinoa in a bowl. Top with more oil/soy sauce and toss to coat. Enjoy!
What key ingredients should everyone always have in the kitchen?
Dates and peanut butter! I’m vegan so there will always be an array of greens in my fridge. Soy sauce and organic Olive oil can go along way in my kitchen too.
What advice would you give to any newbies getting into health and fitness?
To not accept no. To keep pushing forward. To practice discipline. To make changes slowly, changes that become habits, habits that are easy and manageable. To rinse & repeat them habits EVERYDAY towards your goals NO MATTER what the obstacle. And remember exercise should be for FUN and health, not for a calorie deficit.
Get inspired with all things well-being here.