Mexican soccer star Norma Palafox is taking a well-earned break from her intense training schedule to enjoy some R&R on the ocean. The 23-year-old athlete posted a photo of herself looking incredible in a two-piece black swimsuit, captioning the shot "All you need is love 🖤." How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Palafox stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!
Palafox enjoys snacking on fruit, especially delicious peaches. "Peaches are low in calories (100 g just provide 39 calories), and contain no saturated fats," says Karen Ensle Ed.D., RDN, FAND, CFCS. "Nonetheless, they are packed with numerous health promoting compounds, minerals, and vitamins. Fresh peaches are a moderate source of antioxidants and vitamin C which is required for the building of connective tissue inside the human body. Consumption of foods that are rich in vitamin C helps a person develop resistance against infections and helps to eliminate harmful free radicals that cause certain cancers."
Palafox loves to eat oatmeal with chia seeds for breakfast. "Chia seeds have many nutritional benefits," says Romi Londre, RDN. "They are high in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Chia provides a similar amount of omega-3 fatty acids as ground flaxseed in the form of alpha linolenic acid, or ALA. They can help with weight loss. Chia seeds are an excellent source of fiber, which can improve heart health, reduce cholesterol levels and promote intestinal health. Fiber takes longer to digest and makes you feel satisfied longer, which is how it can help with weight loss and decrease your risk of developing diabetes or heart disease."
Palafox likes to incorporate yoga sessions into her exercise regimen. "From Vinyasa and Iyengar to Bikram, there seems to be a yoga style for everyone," says Elizabeth G. Matzkin, MD. "While anyone can benefit from practicing yoga, athletes or those who exercise regularly should consider incorporating yoga into their training plans… In addition to poses that challenge strength and balance, a complete yoga practice includes poses to increase flexibility. Joint and muscle flexibility play a key role in range of motion. A greater arc of motion allows more force to be exerted during exercise movements like a golf swing, swimming stroke, or a baseball pitch."
Palafox is an incredible swimmer, a sport which offers many health benefits. "Water supports and cushions the body, eliminating the kind of pounding associated with running," says Harvard Health. "Because it's easy on the joints and muscles, swimming is often recommended for people with arthritis and other chronic conditions. The resistance of water also allows you to work out vigorously with little chance of injury. There's also a relaxing, meditative side to swimming. It can come with letting your mind drift as, bathed by soothing water, you focus on your breathing and your movements. This stress-busting aspect could contribute to the cardiovascular benefits of swimming."
Palafox enjoys relaxing with a good book, something experts say is incredibly beneficial for health. "Losing yourself in a book is the ultimate relaxation," says cognitive neuropsychologist David Lewis, BSc (Hons), D.Phil. "This is particularly poignant in uncertain economic times when we are all craving a certain amount of escapism. It really doesn't matter what book you read, by losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world and spend a while exploring the domain of the author's imagination. This is more than merely a distraction but an active engaging of the imagination as the words on the printed page stimulate your creativity and cause you to enter what is essentially an altered state of consciousness."
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