Everything we know about how Meghan Markle built her body
Meghan Markle lives a busy life – having been in the spotlight since she landed the role of Rachel Zane in Suits back in 2011. Since then, the 42-year-old has married Prince Harry, welcomed two Royal babies and made the transatlantic move from the UK back to her homeland, the US. We're exhausted just thinking about it all tbh.
On top of juggling two children, running her and Harry's Archewell Foundation and her non-stop schedule which includes TV appearances and global events, you might be wondering how she manages to find time to focus on her health. But, as it turns out, workouts and wellness are high on the Duchess of Sussex's priority list.
So how, and what exactly, does she do to maintain a healthy lifestyle and be a Duchess at the same time? We took a deep-dive into her fitness regime to find out – although, it's important to remember that every body is different, so naturally, everyone's fitness journey will be different too. And, while certain workouts and nutritional choices might work well for Meghan Markle, they might not be the perfect fit for everyone else.
With that in mind, let's instead feel inspired to move and fuel our bodies in whatever way works best for us, and take a little bit of inspo from the Duchess here and there if it takes our fancy....
What is Meghan Markle's exercise regime like?
Yoga
"Yoga is my thing," Meghan once said in an interview with Best Health. Explaining that her mum is a yoga instructor, Meghan started the discipline as a child and has continued doing it ever since. And there's no doubt she loves it: "There are so many benefits that come with the practice of yoga... increased flexibility and muscle strength, greater happiness, increased mental focus, a greater ability to relax, decreased anxiety and better sleep."
"That practice is in my blood," she told Women's Health UK.
Running
While the former actor runs less now – "as I’ve gotten older, running has become hard on my knees, so I can’t run outside the way I used to," she told Best Health – it used to be a regular part of her workout routine. "I used to run all the time, but I typically get picked up for work at 4:15 in the morning on a Monday, so there isn’t much time for jogging and I would rather have that extra hour of sleep," she told the magazine, describing her former days of being on Suits.
But, speaking to Shape, Meghan explained that she gets a lot more from running than just the fitness side of it. "I love running but I think you have to find a workout routine that really speaks to you beyond trying to get goals for your body," she said a couple of years back. "For me, running, I need it as much for my head and to clear my head as I do for keeping in shape."
Full-body workouts
As well as regular yoga sessions and hitting the treadmill, Meghan works with a personal trainer to focus on toning up her entire body. Speaking to Women's Health, her trainer of three years, Craig McNamee, revealed that: "When she gets to the gym, there’s no real complaining. She gets down to business right away and really enjoys it."
McNamee added that he and Meghan have a "full-body approach" to their workouts, focussing on glutes, back, hamstrings, abs, obliques and pelvic floor exercises. Her PT also stressed the importance of keeping the Duchess' workouts adventurous and exciting. "Our big focus with all of our sessions was to not be too repetitive and really create a dynamic workout with a lot of variety," he said.
Self motivation
When she's not hitting the gym with her PT, Meghan usually tends to work out on her own, saying she'll "do DVDs at home" – but, this obviously requires the motivation to get up and do it. "I think if you can self-motivate that's half the battle," she told Shape.
Speaking to Women's Health UK, she explained what it is that encourages her to be active so often. "My health, my state of mind, the feeling you have after a workout; all of these things drive me to step onto my mat or go to the gym," she said. "Sometimes the idea of working out sounds absolutely dreadful, but I always remind myself of how good it will feel afterward. Euphoric, almost!"
What is Meghan Markle's diet like?
She avoids foods that make her feel sluggish
"I definitely try to eat as clean as possible. I definitely just try to avoid the things that I know are going to make me feel lethargic or sluggish," she once told Shape, "I eat mostly fish and veggies - but I am also a foodie."
Breakfast is essential
According to royal biographers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, the Duchess never skips her first meal of the day. "Her morning ritual started with a cup of hot water and a slice of lemon, followed by her favourite breakfast of steel-cut oats (usually made with almond or soy milk) with bananas and agave syrup for sweetness," they write in Finding Freedom.
She eats vegan during the week
Speaking to Best Health, the Duchess revealed she's cut back on meat eating to help improve her health. "I try to eat vegan during the week," she explained, "and then have a little bit more flexibility with what I dig into on the weekends."
She doesn't deprive herself of the things she loves
Proving she's just like any one of us (well, apart from the marrying Prince Harry bit), Meghan said: "I could eat French fries all day. And I love pasta. I love carbs – who doesn’t love a carbohydrate?"
This is a notion she's always followed, saying in an interview: "On the weekends all bets are off, I think if you deprive yourself of anything you're just going to crave it more, so for me it's just finding that balance. Eating really good during the week and then treating yourself to whatever it is that you want over the weekend."
She drinks green juices
Speaking to Shape, Meghan revealed she opts for a natural source of energy every time. "I think trying to go for coffee or things like that only end up hurting you in the end, so [I like] to get a really good natural source of energy like a great green juice. Something that just gets right into your system is a nice pick-me-up," she said.
She drinks alcohol – within reason
We knew we loved her for a reason. "Of course I’m going to have that glass of wine – it’s delicious and I enjoy it," she said in conversation with Best Health. "Do the things you enjoy within reason. Know your body and what works for you and you’ll be fine."
What is Meghan Markle's wellness like?
She always makes time to relax
Now this is one we can get on board with. She might work hard, but Meghan also remembers it's important to chill once in a while. "I give myself the luxury of downtime," she told Women's Health UK.
"We are all so incredibly busy and juggling so many things but I always take an hour to just decompress, watch mindless TV, snuggle with my dogs and enjoy a glass of wine. That's all part of the investment. It's a balance."
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