You know how thereβs those people that just seem to get better with age (at the same time as you swear youβre beginning to see a couple more fine lines forming around the corner of your eyes)? Anna Heinrich is that person. Having interviewed her for various articles since first stepping off the set of the Bachelor in 2013, I swear that every time I see her sheβs more radiant, more striking, and, just well, hotter than ever before.
Conducting one-on-one interviews with media at the Ivy Penthouse for her role as the Oral-B 3D White Ambassador – and to launch the brandβs new 3D White Arctic Fresh toothpaste – as we sat down to chat I manoeuvred myself around to sit up just that little bit straighter, self-consciously cursing myself for having supported βmy friendβsβ decision to duck past Gelato Messina on the way.
Feeling a little bit better after Anna’s admittance of doing the old βhide the chocolate wrapperβ dance with partner Tim Robard, I settled in to discover just what are herΒ top 10 rules when it comes to food, exercise and health.
1. Practise intermittent fasting
βIβm currently doing intermittent fasting. With this, basically you have a block in the day from 12 to 7pm which is when you eat, so you donβt have breakfast – as breakfast is βbreakingβ your βfastβ – and then I normally have my first meal at about 11am or 12pm. That normally consists of eggs, avocado, tomato. If Iβm not having that, Iβll always have a salad.β
2. Order the healthy option when youβre out and about
βI love eating out – but Iβll always order the healthy option. Iβll always have a salad and add some protein to it, or if I havenβt had eggs earlier, Iβll have my salad with eggs on it. Generally when I eat out, I do my best to eat well. Even when on holidays, I try and eat well.β
3. Afternoon snacking stops the hangry
βIn the afternoon, depending on where Iβm at, Iβll try and have nuts or some form of snack before dinner. I tend to get hungry straight before dinner – around four or five oβclock – so if I can, Iβll have a piece of fruit or I might have a coffee.β
4. Protein and salad/veggies for dinner
βDinner is always very similar. Itβll be a piece of protein – Iβll either have chicken, steak, fish and then maybe salad and vegetables. Itβs all about portions and making sure you have the right proportions.β
5. Donβt deny the cravings
βI think itβs best to generally eat well and then when you crave something, have it. Most people should be focusing on eating healthily the majority of the time – and then when you want to eat chips, cake whatever, then youβre allowed to. I donβt think it should be only on one day or on a specific day, I think you just do it because youβre eating well generally.β
6. Avoid βlow fatβ
βI like something sweet [for dessert], whether that be a piece of dark chocolate or fruit and yoghurt. The one thing Iβve learnt is not to have low fat anything because full cream has the good fats – like avocado. I always use to think I couldnβt have avocado because βthat has fat in it and thatβs going to get me fatβ, but I think as you become more educated – you know itβs good fat. In the past I wouldnβt have full cream milk, avocado, bananas, all that because I wanted to lose weight – but for me itβs never about losing weight, itβs about being a healthier version of you.β
7. Find your passion
βIβm active everyday, whether or not thatβs walking everyday or going to the gym – I donβt say βI have to go to the gym and do one class every single dayβ but Iβll still try and fit in some form of exercise, even if Iβm on holidays. I just try and sweat in some form every day. Back at school I was always into sport. I did athletics, touch football, hockey – I loved it all. I think if people are having trouble going to the gym, find something active that you love doing like going for a walk or playing tennis and thatβs exercise – itβs just about getting out and getting off the couch.β
8. Winter is not an excuse
βNow coming into winter, itβs important to get motivated. A lot of people think βoh winter, I wonβt be able to get up in the morningβ¦ etcβ – but as they say βsummer bodies are made in winterβ and I donβt think you should stop working out or stop eating well because itβs winter.
9. Phone a friend
βI think you have to find someone – like a partner or friends – to motivate you. I know that if Iβm getting up in the morning and I set my alarm, if someone is there waiting for me – whether or not itβs a friend or Iβve planned to work out with Tim – you know that someoneβs there so theyβre relying on you. That really gets you up and going in the morning!β
10. Donβt forget your teeth
βThe newest induction to my health regime is the new Oral-B 3D White Arctic Fresh Toothpaste. It has this new innovative cooling agent – which means youβre going to have fresher and cleaner breath for a longer time. Iβm always speaking to different people – and for me, having fresh breath is so importantβ¦ especially with Fashion Week coming up!β
Photography and interview: Husskie Editor Yelena Fairfax