Gemma Merna's body secrets!
Friday 15 June 2012
Newlywed Hollyoaks star Gemma Merna, 27, was snapped flaunting her fabulous bikini body while honeymooning in Las Vegas. Here’s Gemma’s comprehensive guide to getting yourself – and maintaining – a killer figure!
On learning to manage her weight
“When I was younger I tried loads of diets - like not eating after 6pm and no carbs after lunch - I was always aspiring to be something else. I was a size 10-12 and didn’t like wearing bikinis at all.”
On variety being the key to a successful workout
“As I’ve got older I’ve realised you can’t change your body type. I train 3 to 4 times a week. If you do the same thing every time you go to the gym you’re bound to get bored, so variety is key.
I like to mix it up, so one day I’ll be running and toning – doing core stability work on the ball, lunges and squats – then another day I’ll swim, and on another day
I will do some yoga or Pilates.
I'm generally knackered while I'm working out but you feel a lot better from regular exercise and you feel like you can let go a bit at the weekend.’
“I do 30 minutes on the treadmill - one minute walking, two jogging, then two sprinting,”
“Then I do lunges with weights and press-ups. I find it better to do free weights or just use your body rather than machines where you sit down and only use one part. I also go to an outdoor running club and walk my dogs - a St Bernard called Cole and a Westie called Phoebe - for an hour or two every day”
“It takes up so much time but it helps me feel more confident when I’m wearing something skimpy.”
“When I look at my body I think, ‘You worked hard and it’s paid off.’”
On preparing for a holiday
“The worst thing you can do is think you’ve got hardly any time left before the big day and starve yourself. Eat little and often – and be realistic. Don’t think you can only eat salads – you can have cheat days if you exercise as well. But avoid alcohol and drink lots of water
‘If you’re tight on time, focus on areas that will be on show, like your arms and shoulders. Press-ups are the best way to tone and I like the chest fly, where you balance on a ball and bring weights up to your chest, and tricep dips and bicep curls. Do them on a big ball so you keep your core tight. I find it better to do free weights or just use your body rather than machines where you sit down and only use one part.’
On her diet
Breakfast time, I think this is the most important meal of the day and you should always have breakfast. I will have cereal, and diced fruit with a glass of Grapefruit juice.
Lunchtime, I will normally have a nice hot baked potato with a Tuna filling, mix this with a green leaf salad and it is not only filling but very refreshing too.
For dinner I will have chicken breast with vegetables.
I always drink at least a litre of water a day.
After all that good stuff, you have to have some fun…. There is nothing I love more than sitting down in front of the TV and having a cup of tea and some chocolate fresh from the fridge.
For my weekend treat I will have a Domino’s Pizza or an Indian take away.