Brooke Shields on How She Stays Flexible at 55 — And Overcomes the Same Fitness Mistakes We All Make
At 55, Brooke Shields seems less concerned about anything getting between her and her Calvins and more focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Earlier this year, the actress began regularly sharing her exercise tips and workout sessions on her Instagram page along with her trainer, Ngo Okafor. One of their most recent videos focused on the importance of stretching and highlights some of the common mistakes we all make while trying to stay fit.
Before they even get started, Shields brings up how she’s been drinking coconut water lately, which Okafor points out can actually hinder getting enough hydration despite the popular belief (and claims from products) that it’s a super-hydrating sip. “It’s not water,” he puts simply. “It’s good as an add-on refreshment drink, like sparkling water, but it’s not as hydrating as regular water.” He’s not wrong: The Mayo Clinic backs him up with similar warnings about getting distracted by these types of beverages rather than getting enough H2O.
After that back and forth, Okafor explains the key to getting a good stretch: “relaxation, breathing, and not forcing positions.” He also warns against setting benchmarks for yourself based on anything other than what your body is telling you. “It’s not a competition,” he says. “Don’t think because this person could do a split, I can do a split.” That’s probably something we can all admit to being guilty of from time to time.
In fact, sometimes there doesn’t even need to be another person to pit ourselves against — as Shields does in the video without realizing it. While getting into the first position, she off-handedly mentions how she used to be able to fold her body easier as a young dancer. Okafor is quick to remind her to focus her attention on the present, not the past. “Don’t compare to where you were… Work from where you are,” he says.
Take a look at the video below to see their full stretching session and get more of Okafor’s helpful insights:
It’s nice to know that even celebrities like Shields make the same mistakes we do while trying to stay fit — especially when they share expert tips for easily overcoming them. And although she might not be quite as limber as she was in her youth, there’s no denying she’s still in amazing shape!
Check out Shields’ Instagram page to see all of their workouts and head to Okafor’s Instagram for of his expert advice, too.
