How Rebel Wilson made 2020 her 'year of health'

It’s definitely not uncommon to dub each new year your ‘year of health’. It always sounds like a pretty dynamite idea around 4pm on December 31^st, when you’re most likely suffering through your three hundredth silly season ham-and-champagne hangover.

But as many of us well know, making the promise and following through on the promise are two very different things – one’s easy, the other one’s not.

Someone who delivered in the whole ‘actually doing it’ arena this year, however, was Rebel Wilson. "For the last few years, I've been theme-ing my years,” she explained during a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show. “I had the 'Year of Fun,' last year I had the 'Year of Love,' and this year [it's been] the 'Year of Health'.”

“I never really focused on my health, which was probably obvious. I was going all around the world jet-setting everywhere and eating a ton of sugar. That was kind of my vice. I have a very sweet tooth. I love desserts,” she shared. Relatable.

But considering she's revealed that she "feels so much healthier" (and has lost an incredible 18kgs along the way), she clearly had no problem focusing this year. Basically, as Wilson herself would say, she crushed it – here’s how.

Rebel Wilson’s workout regimen

Wilson recruited renowned Sydney-based personal trainer Jono Castano to help her achieve her health goals, and boy, did he ever.

“We train pretty much every day together," he told 9Honey, noting that Wilson’s workout routine consists of a weekly program that switches focus depending on the day.

Day one is all about HIIT (high intensity interval training) and mobility, day two focuses on weights and resistance work, days three and four consist of more HIIT, and day five pairs HIIT with weights. Day six is left aside for recovery, and Wilson finishes the week strong with a final round of HIIT on day seven. Phew.

"It might seem like a lot, in terms of the number of days you have to train, but it doesn't need to be done at 100 per cent of your capacity," Castano explained. "As long as you're getting your heart rate over a certain amount, that's high-intensity."

Rebel Wilson’s eating regimen

As far as meals go, Wilson has made a real play for protein. “Before I was probably eating 3,000 calories most days, and because they were normally carbs, I would still be hungry,” she explained to People re: her previous pattern.

“So, I've really changed to eating a high-protein diet, which is challenging because I didn't used to eat a lot of meat,” she revealed. “[Now], I eat fish, salmon, and chicken breast.”

Wilson knows it’s all about balance, though, and embraces the ‘treat yourself’ mentality from time to time, too. “It doesn't mean every week is a healthy week,” she added. “Some weeks are just write offs, and there’s nothing you can do about that.”

"I'm just trying to go for overall balance, overall healthy balance," she confirmed. "I have this state of being, which is not my quote, but I go 'Nothing is forbidden.' We’ll be like, 'Should we get In-N-Out burger?' And I'm like, 'Nothing is forbidden.' I can go there, I just might eat half of what I used to eat before. You know? And I'll have a burger, and a few fries, and then you feel fine."

Rebel Wilson's 'Year of Health' results

The proof's always in the results, though, right? Well, Wilson's have been absolutely amazing.

She recently took to the 'gram to share an update on her progress (as well as an important reminder) with followers. "Hit my goal with one month to spare!" she wrote, alongside a shot of the scales.

But, don't worry, Wilson is well aware that the number on them isn't the most important thing. "Even though it's not about a weight number, it's about being healthy, I needed a tangible measurement to have as a goal and that was 75kgs," she explained.

And while she smashed the number (not only surpassing the goal itself, but clocking it early), we'll bet the real satisfaction lies in achieving exactly what she set out to do and making it happen for herself all in the name of health. It's safe to say 2021 will be 'the year of feeling pretty damn amazing".

Image credits: @rebelwilson

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