Kate Upton reveals she’d never do this to keep in shape
Kate Upton emphasizes on looking good from the inside out.
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, entrepreneur, and mother told Fox News Digital that she’s developed a lot of healthy habits over the years — and they’re surprisingly simple.
“Beauty from the inside out is a huge part of who I am,” the 32-year-old said. But there’s one thing she refuses to do when it comes to maintaining her famous figure. “I don’t believe in counting calories. I believe in having high-end ingredients so you can give yourself premium fuel. To me, food is fuel and what you put into your body is what your body will give back to you. So if you’re looking for energy, a better mood… or strength, you need to know what you’re putting into your body. It’s not just about counting calories.”
Upton, the co-founder of canned cocktail brand Vosa Spirits, said she likes to stock up on fresh, organic ingredients to keep her drinks looking and feeling their best. However, that also means she has to make some changes to her routine.
“It’s about having high-end ingredients and being consistent in the way you treat yourself,” she said. “I always try to eat organic food. Vegetables are a big part of my diet. I also love lean proteins. Once you detox from preservatives and refined sugar, your body will tell you what it needs.”
When it comes to working up a sweat, Upton said she “doesn’t believe in trends.” It’s all about finding the best workout routine that suits your taste and lifestyle — and sticking to it.
“I believe in being consistent,” she explained. “I do weight workouts to stay active in my life. I also walk my dogs. I always try to keep going instead of beating myself up. I try to be consistent and make it part of my lifestyle. And I think when you’re trying to get fit, your mental health is a big part of it.”
“I suggest to people who are trying to change their lifestyle that they focus on their mental health first and figure out why they want to get healthier,” she added. “Small things can be big motivations. But if it’s just to fit into a certain size or see a number on the scale, it’s going to be a short-term plan.
“If you find a bigger reason in your life … whether it’s setting a good example for your child, or having more energy, or feeling stronger and more capable, or letting out some anger or frustration — if you find the bigger thing, it’s easier to make it part of your life and your lifestyle.”
In her role at Vosa Spirits, Upton will take a hands-on approach to developing new flavors and participating in packaging design and marketing strategies, Forbes reported in October. Upton said it was important that the beverages align with her healthy habits.
It is also headquartered in his home state of Michigan.
“I care about what I put into my body,” she said. “I cared about a preservative-free formula. [Also]High-quality ingredients mean fewer hangovers. And I love the synergy of it all. I’m from Michigan, the brand is from Michigan and the manufacturing is in Grand Rapids. It felt like the right fit for me.”
“Michigan has long winters and very limited summers, so people should enjoy wine,” he said with a laugh.
However, Upton has a lot of work these days. She’s on the cover of this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The magazine is celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Upton made her debut in SI Swimsuit in 2011, when she was named Rookie of the Year. She had her first solo cover in 2012 and was on the cover again the following year. In 2014, she appeared on the flip cover and then in 2017, she appeared on the cover once again.
“Sports Illustrated launched my career,” she said. “They put me on the cover when I was 19. They gave me a platform to talk about big topics like health… I’m still trying to figure out how to be in the spotlight. [But] It was a huge honor to come back for his 60th birthday. I’m in a different place in my life now. I’m a mother, a wife… it’s a full circle moment.”
“Nobody wants to be on camera in a swimsuit,” she said. “That’s true. It’s like shopping for jeans. Nobody wants to try on a bunch of jeans at once. Everybody’s never the same size and they pull on you. Nobody wants to be on camera in a swimsuit. But with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, it’s very different … They’re like a family.
“I’ve known everyone on the set for a very long time, like [photographer] Yu Tsai… he’s my close friend. I feel taken care of very well. And there was such a loving and relaxed atmosphere on the shoot which was a real testament to where I am in my career, the relationships I’ve built and my mental state. I think when you’re in your 30s… it gets better.”
“Everyone goes through ups and downs and not feeling confident about the way their body looks,” Upton continued. “That’s why mental health is so important to me. It’s about who you are and what’s inside of you. It’s also about not beating yourself up when you’re having a bad moment… We need to start giving ourselves a break. Society tells us we need to ‘bounce back’ or ‘have it all’ or ‘balance everything,’ but life isn’t like that.”
Upton encourages her followers to prioritize their mental health so they can look and feel their best. It’s a lesson she’s learned along the way.
“I think we need to start giving each other and ourselves breaks and allowing ourselves to feel our emotions,” she said. “If you have a regimented lifestyle, you can take these breaks. You can listen to your body. You can take care of your whole person, your mental person, not just the way you look. I think that’s where confidence comes from – whole body health.”
“I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs of my success, trying to understand my body and get it back, it wasn’t for other people, it was for me,” she said. “These images, my career — it’s all for me. My body is for me.”
