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Connie Nielsen started her career with the French film “Par où it’s rentré ? On t’a pas vu sortir,” but gained attention for her role in the American movie “The Devil’s Advocate.” Her talent on screen led to more opportunities, particularly in the 2000s, when she starred in films like “Gladiator,” “Mission to Mars,” “One Hour Photo,” “Basic,” and “The Hunted.” She also appeared in “The Ice Harvest” and “Battle in Seattle,” continuing her successful career into the next decade with roles in “Boss,” “The Following,” and “The Good Wife.” However, her most notable roles came in the form of “Wonder Woman” and “Justice League.”
To portray Queen Hippolyta in “Wonder Woman” and “Justice League,” the actress decided to enhance her physique. She aimed to appear stronger for the role and embarked on a rigorous workout regimen, dedicating five to six hours a day to exercise. This commitment to fitness greatly improved her physical appearance. She said in an interview,
“I had to do two hours of horseback riding, two hours of very strenuous weight training and conditioning, and two hours of sword fighting,” said the actress. “The sword fighting was amazing. It was astounding. I loved every second of it. I really love working out anyway. It’s something I really enjoy, what it does to my body and my mind. Getting this whole experience with horses as well was incredible.”
She felt confident enough in her physical abilities to insist on performing her own stunts for authenticity. She expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I love doing the stunts. I’m dedicated to stunts, in fact. I really find that that brings me even closer to a physical truth about my character that I enjoy being a part of. I love doing that stuff.”
Connie Nielsen Diet Plan and Nutrition
Connie Nielsen strongly advocates for a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. She emphasizes that consuming nutritious foods benefits both the body and skin. She particularly enjoys incorporating avocados and nuts into her diet for their healthy fats and nutrient-packed goodness.
…and that’s probably the reason why the 52 years old actress does not seem to age too quickly. Not only does her skin shines, but she has also maintained her sleek and svelte figure. All thanks to her healthy eating habits.
This is what her usual meals look like:
Breakfast: She prioritizes a healthy breakfast and shared her preferred choices in an interview, saying, “For breakfast, I opt for organic foods with high-fat content, like whole milk yogurt, nuts, seeds, fresh fruit, and a scrambled egg cooked in organic grape seed oil for its omega content. I also enjoy a cappuccino for its milk and coffee, which offer taste along with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.”
Lunch: For lunch, she keeps it simple yet nutritious, often enjoying smoked salmon with a slice of Mozzarella di Bufala, which is made from the milk of domestic water buffalo, paired with avocado,”
Snacks: She attributes her toned physique to her healthy eating habits and enjoys snacking on nutritious options throughout the day. She mentions, “I snack on fruit, nuts, seeds, smoked mackerel for its omega content, cheese, and gluten-free crackers like Skinny Crisps. At 50, I’m cutting down on carbs and have noticed feeling better without bread.“
Dinner: She ensures her dinner remains light, typically consisting of various colorful vegetables. She explains, “For dinner, I include at least four or five different vegetables of all colors: purple, orange, green, and red. I aim to incorporate a wide range of colors, such as carrots, broccolini, asparagus, cauliflower, kale, and more. I enjoy them raw or steamed, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Additionally, I often prepare artichokes, dipping them in a sauce I make, and occasionally grill a piece of chicken or fish. Once a month, I indulge in a grass-fed filet or leg of lamb.”
But besides being a healthy eater, she is also a great cook. She loves making some Italian for her whole family. In her own words,
“I also make lots of pasta for my family: homemade pesto, often using the leftover leaves from beets and turnips, and my family’s favorite—the pomodorini sauce to drizzle over grilled eggplant. I drink red wine every night, and chamomile tea before bed.”
She holds strong beliefs about the significance of consuming healthy and nutritious food. Ensuring that everything she consumes is fresh and organic is a top priority for her. She said,
“I believe eating is a form of medicine, a reasoned way of giving your body and mind what it needs. The same goes for how our environment is affected by the food and products we consume. How does the environment work for us? What is present in nature that ‘feeds’ our food? How do we protect the watersheds and the kids living close by fields and feedlots? These are questions I pose myself on a daily basis. I think all consumers affect their reality by what they choose to buy.”
Connie Nielsen Workout Routine
Connie remains highly active all day long. Even when she’s not exercising, she stays engaged and keeps herself moving. She’s far from being a couch potato and enjoys outdoor activities. While she aims to hit the gym at least four days a week, she always finds something else to keep her busy if she can’t make it. She explained her love for outdoor activities in an interview,
“I do not cross-country ski. I have lately discovered the joy of whooshing down a mountain at unsafe speed on two ridiculously skinny sticks that are often uncoordinated about the direction they want to take. But I love it. I am, however, a runner. I run an hour a day as often as I can get away with it. I also work out in the hotel rooms I often live in when working, and have developed a routine I have been using almost unchanged over the last 30 years. I love to SoulCycle, do yoga and to hike in the glorious No-Cal hills and mountains.”
The actress strongly attributes her good looks to exercise. She dedicates at least three hours per week to running. She believes that working out greatly benefits skin condition by promoting cell regeneration, keeping the skin youthful and fresh.”
Bike Rides: She enjoys going on bike rides with her kids, mainly for the beautiful views and to spend time in nature. Connecting with the outdoors soothes and calms her, rejuvenating her inside and out for the next day. In her own words,
“Sundays we go for bike rides with my kids under the Golden Gate Bridge. Fort Point there is beautiful and the view from its top floor is unparalleled. I think music and beautiful vistas of nature during workouts give serenity to your soul, and the workouts themselves deliver all the endorphins you need to overcome the stresses of our lives.”
The Importance of Relax Time:
Connie emphasizes the importance of balancing work on your body with relaxation. She has some great hacks for managing stress and fatigue. Even with frequent travel and inevitable jet lag, Connie has it all covered.
She explained all this in her interview,
“I time-share my youngest as do most divorced people and work hard to narrowly time my shooting to those days when I don’t have my son. When I travel, sometimes bicoastally every week, I relax into the NO TIME ZONE. I acknowledge and accept that I will be tired. I eat healthy, like nuts and salad, drink water and read a lot. I bring water sprays because they really freshen you up during and after flights. I know that being 37,000 feet in the air affects my judgment. Films seen on planes will make me cry doubly hard, so I try to hide my emotional distress from my poor flight companions and apologize when I am actually sobbing loudly or laughing so loud it yanks them out of their naps.”
It appears that Connie Nielsen has everything well organized, serving as a great inspiration for embracing a healthy lifestyle. That sums up how she integrates workouts and healthy eating habits into her busy schedule.
