Celebrity Interview: Carolyn Hennesy’s Secret to Staying Fit at 50

When people talk about working out, the first things that come to mind are dumbbells, treadmills and aerobics classes. But, when actress Carolyn Hennesy goes to workout, it looks a lot different than anything I’ve ever seen in a gym.

When Carolyn isn’t playing a high-powered attorney on General Hospital, she’s playing high on the trapeze. Some people love to dance – she simply loves to fly.

While I doubt I’ll be hanging a trapeze in my backyard anytime soon, I think we can all learn from her story. The fact is, being healthy and staying fit is about finding something you enjoy and making it a lasting part of your life.

In my recent interview with her, I got to learn more about her love for the trapeze – and her secret to being fifty and fabulous.

It’s not everyday you hear someone who’s workout includes a trapeze. How did you get started with that and what do you love most about flying high?

I learned the static trapeze for a production of “Comedy of Errors” while attending university and had fallen in love with it.  Several years later, some friends discovered a flying trapeze school here in the San Fernando Valley; one class and I was hooked.  A busy life and lack of space had led me away from the static, but while flying at Gaona’s Trapeze Workshop, I met my static guru, Ruth Percival…a beautiful and supremely talented static artist.  She’s been teaching me for the last year and my skills have quadrupled.  I know I won’t be giving it up anytime soon, so I made space on my property for my own rig.  The elegance, challenge and fluidity of the static trapeze are the elements that keep me connected.  And there is nothing on this earth like the flying trapeze:  it’s electrifying, self-revealing, more beautiful than a performance by the Bolshoi and, often, oh-so humbling. (Photo of Carolyn flying high)

ACTION! You can see her flying high in this little hidden gym of a clip! Notice she says “it wasn’t pretty, but I got it” at the end. This should be a reminder that we don’t have to be amazing at what we love – BUT, because we love it, it can be amazing.

I imagine you have times when you want to take your own diet and training up a notch for a new role, event or shoot. What do you do to shed unwanted pounds and how much time do you give yourself to achieve it? 

It’s somewhat difficult to achieve, but I try (try being the operative word) not to let myself get to a point where I would need to crash diet for a specific role.  Saying, thinking or feeling like “I’ve GOT to lose 5 lbs. in a week!” is just an unnecessary stressor and who needs it.  If I see a little something here or there, I’ll do an extra five minutes on the trapeze and call it a day.  (And I’ll tell my husband to hide my “emergency Snickers” in the garage and not tell me where.)

I know you are very fit and lead a healthy lifestyle (it shows!). What is your workout schedule like?

I’m extremely lucky, because flying and static trapeze are types of exercise that are, possibly, the most fun to be had by humans and the ones I most respond to.  I usually fly once or twice a week and workout on the static trap at least twice a week.

If you only had 20 minutes to exercise, what would you do? 

Hang from my ankles and do sit-ups.

(We can do this without a trapeze too! Check out the move demonstrated here by IFBB Pro Kelly Gonzalez shot here by Steve Boyle)

What is your favorite and least favorite exercise?

The Mermaid Turn. Running.

What is your favorite fitness gadget, fitness tool or gear?

Rosin. (Sticky stuff that improves grip)

Do you listen to music while working out? If so, what type of music do you listen to? Do you have a favorite song that gets you pumped up for your workouts?

The soundtrack to “Ka” (Cirque Du Soleil)  It’s magical – and thinking about the physical prowess in that particular show spurs me to work harder.

My grandmother once said, “Age is just a matter of the mind. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” We all know age is just a number, but what matters most is how we feel. I am 41, but sometimes I feel better than I did when I was 30. What age do you feel? 

25 most days.  When I get off the static trap, I’m 75 for about half an hour…then I get younger.  

Are you on any specific diet? What is a normal day of eating like for you?

I watch the carbs, but haven’t cut them entirely.  I should be more conscientious about breakfast, but usually it’s tea and vitamins.  Lunch is usually anything but a salad and dinner is (attempted to be) eaten before 7:00 pm.  I’m not big on desserts, so that helps.

What is your favorite healthy snack?

Is there such a thing as a healthy snack…really?  Really?  Isn’t “snack”…y’know…by definition, something a little taboo?  I’m a sucker for the crispy seaweed that’s all the rage right now.

What’s your biggest food weakness?

Macadamia nuts.  If I’ve gotten my hands on a jar of roasted, salted macadamias, don’t even try to talk to me…you’ll just get frustrated with my lack of response.

What is the one product or thing you do that makes you feel the most beautiful? 

Wake up, look in the mirror and say “I’m…still…here.  Ta DA!”  That puts a smile on my face.

On those days you don’t feel like working out, what motivates you to show up anyway?

First of all, trapeze is exciting, exhilarating and never, EVER, the same.  That’s the rush; each trick, whether flying or hanging, is different no matter how many times you do it.  It’s always fresh and that’s key for me.  And then, there are days when I don’t show up. Most importantly, I don’t beat myself up for taking a break.  We’re human…we get to take a break.

For all the people who are trying to lose weight and get healthy, what is the one thing you have learned that you would share with them to help them reach their goals?

For heaven’s sake, be kind to yourself.  If you’ve got substantially more than “a few” pounds to lose, then that’s a different matter entirely and one that might involve doctors, physical or emotional issues and a whole host of things I’m simply not qualified to discuss.  But if you’re angling to be more fit, trimmer and more toned…don’t kill yourself.  Stop the self-recrimination and judgment.  Learn (and you can) to love what you see at each and every stage – and if those around you don’t love and support you just as much, forget ’em.

The Secret to Staying 50? Finding something you LOVE that keeps you active, strong and flexible. Way to go Carolyn! You are an inspiration! 🙂

 

Workout & Eat Like Bret Lockett: Bret shares his workout routine & more!

One of things I see more in the gym, is people training like professional athletes. Gym goers are doing more than just lifting weights and walking on a treadmill. They are doing conditioning exercises like plyos, sprints, olympic lifts and agility drills to take their workouts to a whole new level.

Whether you are working to improve your athletic performance, or your waistline, I think we can all learn from the pros. So, I asked former Patriots’ and current NY Jets’ safety Bret Lockett about his training program. If you saw him in his recent PETA campaign, you clearly see he’s in great shape – so let’s see what he does to sculpt that bod!

Here are some of the questions I asked him in my totally fun, candid and honest interview this week about how Bret trains, eats and stays motivated.

What is your favorite exercise? 

Overtime, I’ve grown to love doing different forms of training whether its been Olympic lifting, CrossFit, or UFC training. However, my favorite exercises to do are field specific drills that relate to my position on the football field. 

What is your LEAST favorite exercise, workout or body part to train? 

I’m not a huge fan of conditioning even though it’s the most vital part of football but I’ve learned to embrace the pain and turn it into motivation. (Don’t worry Bret, it’s not my favorite either! I need to learn to “embrace the pain” a bit more!)

What is your weekly workout schedule? 

I workout mornings four days a week, with three days off. I lift first, and then I go out on the field and run. Mondays are speed focus days, Tuesdays are endurance days, Thursdays are Defensive Back specific drills, and Fridays are speed as well. 

What does an average day’s diet look like?

I usually try to eat between 3,500-4,000 calories a day. (Can I say WOW?! I thought Steve ate a lot!) So in the morning I’ll have something like oatmeal, egg whites, orange juice and a banana, after I work I’ll have a protein shake, for lunch I’ll have a big salad, in between lunch and dinner I’ll have a snack or protein shake depending on if I’m on the go or not, then for dinner have something like chicken, rice, and steamed vegetables. Before bed I’ll have another protein shake.  

How many grams of protein do you get a day?

Usually 250-350 grams a day. (No wonder you have all those muscles!) 🙂

What’s your favorite “cheat” meal?

I love steak quesadillas with guacamole and sour cream. (ME TOOO!! But let’s not forget the chips and salsa! Ok, when’s the next cheat meal?! I’m ready!)

What’s your favorite healthy food?

Salmon and rice always does it for me. 

On those days you totally don’t feel like working out, what motivates you to show up anyway?

I know there’s always someone else in the world that would love to take my position, whether it’s on the field or in life. So me not wanting to better myself as an athlete and a person won’t get me to where I want to be in life. That’s what motivates me every morning. (SO TRUE! Love this!! I think this applies to SO many of us no matter where we are. We have to not only work to get where we want to be, but we need to work just as hard to STAY there. Great reminder! Don’t miss “Motivation with Bret Lockett“)

Who has been the most influential person in your career & training?

My parents primarily. They instilled the work ethic and the never die attitude I carry with me through every facet of life. I’ve met and worked with a lot of other coaches, teachers and mentors that have helped me along the way as well. 

What fitness tool can you not live without? 

My rehabilitation bands. They are amazing and I take them everywhere I go.

What is your favorite workout routine? We want to try it so we can look like you!! 

My favorite workout routine is an ab circuit I came up with. (CLICK ON THE LINKS TO WATCH VIDEO INSTRUCTION)

20 Jack Knives  w/ 25lb. (plate in hands)
20 Second Static Leg Hold (6-8 in. off the ground)
20 Toe Touches w/ 25lb. plate (legs straight in the air, 90 degrees)
25 Plate twists w/ 25lb. plate (touch both sides and that counts as 1)

For beginners: Do once. Advance: Repeat twice and feel free to up the weight!

What is your mantra or favorite quote?

You must be willing to die, resurrect yourself from the dead, and die all over again to overcome every obstacle stopping you from achieving your goal.

And finally, can you put together a quick and simple (but totally kick-butt) workout plan that you use each week?

Warm Up (Bike for 7-10 min)

4×8 Pause Squats (pause and the bottom for 1 sec then explode up)

Super Set:
4×10 DB Bench Press
4×10 Push Ups

Super Set:
3×10 Lateral Pull downs
3×10 Lateral Lunges 

Bicep 21’s (7 reps half way up starting from the bottom, 7 reps all the way up, 7 reps starting from the top half way down)

Ab Circuit:
20 Jack Knives  w/ 25lb. (plate in hands)
20 Second Static Leg Hold (6-8 in. off the ground)
20 Toe Touches w/ 25lb. plate (legs straight in the air, 90 degrees)
25 Plate twists w/ 25lb. plate (touch both sides and that counts as 1)

For beginners: Do once.  Advanced: Repeat twice and feel free to up the weight!

Learn More About Bret Lockett at http://www.BretLockett.com