Melissa Wood , Image: Supplied
If you’re looking to shake up your fitness routine, look no further than Melissa Wood Health. The celebrity-favorite workout method - developed by wellness coach, actress and exercise extraordinaire Melissa Wood-Tepperberg - is a must for anyone looking to achieve a long and lean physique.
Melissa - who is certified in yoga and pilates and maintains a plant-based diet to live her best life - is the go-to girl for establishing a well-balanced, healthy lifestyle. The fitness entrepreneur created her method to help others feel beautiful both on the inside, and on the outside. Having overcome a series of challenges that taught her the importance of inner-wellness, Melissa now devotes her professional life to being a positive influence and a force for change for those looking to lead more fulfilling lives rooted in wellness.
The MWH Method, which she describes as being “a series of precise low impact movements” to build long and beautiful lines, is the perfect regimen for feeling and looking your best. Melissa steadfastly believes in the importance of merging mental and physical health to live your most satisfying life possible, and she encourages her followers to look past the number on the scale, be kind to themselves, and move to feel good and empowered.
The workout guru, who boasts 546,000 followers on Instagram, spoke exclusively to GLAMOUR South Africa about curating a global fitness community, the highs and lows on her path to unearthing her passion for health and wellness, and how she became one of the most beloved workout gurus on internet, to A-list stars and everyday people alike.
GLAMOUR: What sparked your passion for fitness and living a healthy lifestyle? Was this always important to you, or did a certain instance in your life inspire it?
Melissa Wood (MW):
I spent so many years when modeling with an unhealthy relationship to what it meant to be healthy. Once I dug deep to discover that being healthy was about more than what you looked like, it took on a whole new level of meaning for me and really shifted my whole mindset and mental health as a result.
GLAMOUR: What is your current fitness regimen, and your nutrition plan you use to stay in shape?
MW:
I share my method of low impact flows combining yoga and pilates sequences to sculpt long lean lines throughout your entire body. I'm consistent with my movement, even if it's 10 or 15 minutes a day, which I believe is key for long lasting results. As for nutrition, I eat a plant-based diet. I thrive eating this way, but also if my body is craving non-vegan food items I listen to it and don't feel badly about it.
GLAMOUR: What one thing do you never skip in your workout?
MW:
One thing you will see in almost all of my workouts is a small movement in which I make tiny little circles with my arms or legs respectively. I always find a way to work those in. Don't be fooled by the tiny movements. Tiny movement, big effect.
GLAMOUR: How would you describe your philosophy on health and fitness, and how has it evolved?
MW:
You truly do not have to kill yourself to see the most insane results. I believe when you slow things down and intuitively listen to what your body needs, that's where the long lasting transition takes place.
GLAMOUR: Who or what gives you the most inspiration and motivation to achieve your fitness goals?
MW:
I'm my own motivation. I think back to how I used to feel and live my life and know that I never want to go back to feeling that way. That in itself motivates me to do something for myself every single day.
GLAMOUR: What specific fitness goal are you currently focused on?
MW:
I
never focus on fitness goals. I strive to be consistent in my practice which will help you reach any goal you could set in your life!
GLAMOUR: What's the best way for someone to motivate herself to get fit?
MW:
I've been asking myself every day, how bad do I want to feel good - in my life, body and mental state. You have to take an honest look at your lifestyle choices, actually want to change, and then stay consistent throughout the process.
GLAMOUR: One of the key elements for staying consistent with working out is accountability. Who keeps you accountable for working out consistently?
MW:
I hold myself accountable. You can work with a lot of people but at the end of the day if you can't do this yourself, how are you physically going to show up for you? A lot of people talk about scheduling things in, you're either going to own it or not.
GLAMOUR: What tips would you give to someone wanting to live a more healthy lifestyle?
MW:
To me, you have to first take a step back. Look at your food choices, movement method, thoughts you're thinking, and the people you're surrounding yourself with. When you do the work and actually look through the lens of the life you're living and ask yourself if you truly want to change, I believe that is where the transformation takes place.
GLAMOUR: You’ve become quite well known in the fitness industry, why do you think people trust you to achieve their fitness goals?
MW:
Thank you! I think people trust me because they have personally experienced my journey. I believe in leading with love and sharing in an open, authentic way and I have seen people respond really well to that.
GLAMOUR: Can you explain what the MWH Method is and what inspired you to use this method with your clients?
MW:
When I say long, lean lines I mean for every body type. This method isn't about being "skinny," this is about the strength and tone in your individual body.
GLAMOUR: Do you have any advice for people in terms of how they should approach fitness and working out post-COVID?
MW:
I think you really have to listen to what your body responds to the most, especially in these high anxiety times. If you're doing workouts that induce your anxiety, you may want to consider moving into more low impact movement.
GLAMOUR: What's something most people may not know about you?
MW:
I'm not working out all day. People think because I'm in the fitness space that I'm working out for hours a day and it's quite the opposite. What I film and share is the amount I workout.
Got a fitness question? Email Sebastien at [email protected] for his expert opinion!
