Why You Don’t Need a Trainer to the Stars

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Originally uploaded by maxgfaraday

Have you spotted photos of bikini-clad Jessica Alba in the weekly glossies at the supermarket this week? Alba, who gave birth to a baby girl in June, has lost the 27 pounds she put on during her pregnancy--thanks to trainer Ramona Braganza's 321 Baby Bulge Be Gone plan.

So what is this 321 plan that all the new Hollywood moms, including Halle Berry, are following to get back into shape? If you eat clean and exercise, you’re probably already following it!

The 321 in Braganza's plan stands for 3 meals, 2 snacks, and 1 liter of water a day. These are sound diet tips that reflect what most fitness professionals already espouse.

Here are Braganza's Top 10 diet tips:

1. The 3-2-1 of Daily Nutrition: three meals, two snacks, 1 liter of water (minimum)
2. Eat only half the portion of food on your plate if eating out
3. Combine protein and fiber in a snack and you will feel full longer
4. Drink minimum of 1 liter of water a day, but preferably 2
5. Don't skip breakfast!
6. Eat clean; learn to love foods without sauces and butter; enjoy steamed veggies, crunchy salads with little or no dressing- just lemon juice or balsamic vinegar
7. Eat meats grilled, baked, steamed, or poached
8. Eat brown instead of white rice or pasta
9. Enjoy legumes, beans, and nuts
10. Fruits for dessert!

See? It's all good stuff that you probably already knew: No fast or processed foods, no fried goodies and no sugar!

Braganza's 321 exercises consist of compound and functional exercises, which burn fat and recruit more muscle fibers than isolated moves like bicep curls and crunches. Her favorite is the squat and press.

According to People magazine, Jessica eats between 1,700 and 2,000 calories a day and works out for 1 hour, 5 or 6 days a week. This includes 10-minute sets of cardio, circuit training, and core training. She also swims and weight trains.

Being able to afford a personal trainer and nutritionist helps, but not having those resources is not an excuse to let yourself go--before, during or after pregnancy. Anyone can teach themselves how to eat healthily without hiring a nutritionist. And anyone can exercise without a trainer.

Why does this matter to you? Because you don’t have to be a celebrity or be able to afford a trainer and nutritionist like Ramona Braganza to learn how to eat healthily and exercise. Get the info you need from reputable sources online (like Drill Coach!) or pick up a book that covers it all. I highly recommend The New Rules of Lifting and The New Rules of Lifting for Women, which have workout programs for both the gym and home and cover nutrition and meal planning.