Sarah Jessica Parker’s Diet and Workout Routine
I don’t know about you guys, but I LOVE Sex and the City. I’m so excited for the series to continue, even if it’s just for ten episodes.
And it seems like I’m not the only one. I’ve been getting tons of Insta DMs about how Sarah Jessica Parker looks just as good today as she did back in the 90s. And let me tell you, it’s not all down to genetics.
SJP puts in a ton of hard work to remain healthy and fit. That hard work definitely pays off. Here’s how she does it.
SARAH JESSICA PARKER’S DIET
SJP doesn’t just pick a single diet and stick to it. Instead, she combines the Atkins diet, the Mediterranean diet, and the South Beach diet. This type of diet is commonly referred to as the Hampton diet.
The diet itself recommends tons of healthy foods like lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, and virtually no processed sugar. If this sounds familiar, you’re not wrong. It’s what works for most people when they’re trying to incorporate weight loss into a healthy yet sustainable routine.
But what makes it truly effective for keeping the weight off long-term is restricting carbs. When SJP is trying to slim down, she cuts out most carbs until she reaches the ideal weight. But when she’s trying to maintain her weight, she eats a small amount of complex carbs each day.
This includes whole grains like brown rice and quinoa, and sweet potatoes.
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BREAKFAST
For breakfast, SJP likes to keep things simple and chooses things based on her day’s schedule.
If she’s in a hurry, she’ll grab a plain (unsweetened) yogurt and add whatever berries are in season. No cooking needed!
But if she has time, she’ll whip up a poached egg and serve it on a bed of sautéed spinach with garlic. Sometimes she’ll add turkey bacon, her favourite food!
LUNCH
Lunch is something she usually grabs on the go. She tries to incorporate tons of fresh fruit and vegetables into the meal as it gives her tons of vitamins and boosts her natural energy. It’s clean eating at its finest.
Most lunches involve some kind of a roll-up. She often starts with a lean cheese like low-fat cream cheese, grated carrot, sliced cucumber, and lettuce or bell pepper. Then, she’ll roll those fillings up with a lean sandwich meat. Turkey, oven-roasted chicken breast, and even lean roast beef are all options.
For dessert or to satisfy her craving for something sweet, she’ll grab some fruit.
This gives her enough carbs to help her stay energized throughout the day.
DINNER
Dinner gives her a chance to play in the kitchen, but involves more of the same: lean protein and fresh vegetables. One of her favorite meals on the Hampton diet is sirloin kebabs with grilled mushrooms, onions, and pineapple for sweetness.
SNACKS
Snacks are definitely something SJP indulges in throughout the day, especially when she’s working out. Most often, she’ll grab some pineapple slices with yogurt or a handful of raw nuts.
SARAH JESSICA PARKER’S WORKOUT ROUTINE
SJP didn’t always follow a strict workout routine. When she was younger, she just did what she felt like. Some days, that meant going for a long run. Others, it meant running through an intense yoga routine.
It wasn’t until she started getting older that she realised she needed to get a bit more serious about getting in shape. And, no, it wasn’t about maintaining her weight—it was about maintaining her energy levels.
That shift in perspective shows in the types of workouts she does on a regular basis now.
CARDIO
Sarah Jessica Parker still loves to get a good, long run in every now and then, but she also likes to vary things up. She works out with Anna Kaiser from AKT Motion who puts her through her paces.
A standard cardio workout for SJP, led by Anna, involves a hybrid of dance workouts, plyometrics, and strength training. It’s similar to a HIIT workout in that it combines multiple exercises while keeping SJP’s heart rate in her target cardio zone for most of the workout.
That said, her workouts are usually short. Think under 30 minutes.
Those short workouts can still be incredibly effective and they’re an easy way to make sure you’re hitting your goals. The shorter they are, the easier it is to fit them into your busy schedule. I recommend trying this workout routine if you’re looking to your fitness journey!
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STRENGTH
SJP’s strength training involves mostly bodyweight exercises. These are super effective when you’re trying to tone up without bulking up.
Her favourite arms exercise is called the inverted shoulder press.
To do this exercise, put yourself into a downward V on the floor. This should look similar to the downward dog position in yoga except you’re able to rest on the balls of your feet or toes. Then, turn your palms so your fingertips are pointing towards each other.
Once you’re in this position, bend your elbows and bring the top of your head all the way to the mat. Then, press back up and repeat.
For her legs, her favourite exercise starts with a standing squat position. Once in the squat, she then jumps and taps her heels together. Once she lands, she points her toes out to the side and then back to forward before jumping again.
HER FITNESS ROUTINE IS COMPREHENSIVE
Though SJP does work out with her trainer often and takes the time to do strength and cardio exercises every week, those formal training sessions aren’t the only way she stays active.
She tries to walk everywhere she can. And as a native New Yorker that still lives in NYC, walking everywhere is really the only option!
If she has the choice between stairs and an elevator, she’ll take the stairs. If she’s offered a cab ride, she usually chooses to walk. Making these simple choices every day helps her stay active and burn more calories even when she’s not at the gym.
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STAYING FIT AND LEAN IS DOABLE
Sarah Jessica Parker’s diet and workout routine are fairly simple, but they do take commitment. Her workout focuses more on general activity rather than intensity and hear diet is easy to follow if you commit to it.
I hope learning more about SJP’s routine got you inspired and motivated! Let me know which celebrity diet and workout routine I should check out next!
Love Rachael xx
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Rachael is an Australian born certified personal trainer and nutritionist who holds a Bachelor degree in Science.
After struggling for years to find an exercise and diet program that is tailored to women striving for lean and toned body with no bulk she designed her Lean Legs Program. This program is tailored to each body type and focused on helping women get toned but feminine bodies, without getting bulky.
Her mission is to empower women and help them stay in shape in a healthy and balanced way.