We’re all familiar with the long, lean legs and washboard abs of our favorite Victoria’s Secret supermodels. The envy-inducing bodies of these gorgeous gals are some of the most talked about “body-inspirations” in the industry. Sure, these VS Angels are born with incredible genetics, but we tend to forget that a lot of hard work goes into making their bodies the toned temples that the modeling industry prides themselves on. We spoke with Lindsay Ellingson, former VS Angel all-star and Co-Founder/Creative Director of Wander Beauty, about how she keeps her figure fit enough to have walked such a famous runway. Read on for all the details!
Youbeauty: What is your weekly workout schedule like?
Lindsay Ellingson: So, I’m constantly on the go, with modeling as well as working on Wander Beauty, so I try to get in three workouts per week, one every other day and then a break on the weekends. I love yoga. I go to yoga216 and it’s great because the classes are small; there’s only 6 people at a time, maximum. And they’re heated to 90 degrees so you get that amazing sweat and detox, it’s great.
YB: Besides yoga, what other workouts do you do?
LE: Well, I love biking. My husband and I bike around the city. A lot of times we’ll go down the west side highway and grab a little treat at Shake Shack before we head home.
YB: How long do your workouts typically last?
LE: They generally last an hour, sometimes an hour and 15 minutes. So, it’s nothing crazy, but it works for me and I like to experiment as well. Like, yesterday I tried this new workout. It’s at my facialist’s, IIdi Pekar. She has this new workout called Creative Fitness: EMS Training. You get strapped up to this electric muscle stimulator and you only have to work out for 20 minutes and it’s equivalent to working out for, like, an hour and a half. It’s really crazy. Basically the machine works out 10 different body parts and 90 percent of your muscles are activated simultaneously.
YB: That’s amazing! So, right before a big photo shoot or fashion show, do your workouts change?
LE: Yeah, I worked out with Ballet Beautiful in the past before the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. I have a lingerie shoot coming up, so whenever I have one of these shoots, I definitely step it up. It’s just an amazing workout; really tones, lengthens and gives you that beautiful dancer body, which is great for modeling because you don’t want to bulk up too much.
YB: So true. And how do you maintain your workout schedule while you’re traveling for work?
LE: I travel with my ankle weights, which you can get on Amazon. And I just put two and a half pounds on each ankle, and I have a routine that I do that tones my glutes and inner thighs. You can put them on your wrists too. It’s really easy since they’re portable. It adds like an extra five pounds to your bag, but I think it’s totally worth it because you never know if there’s a gym where you’re going to be.
YB: So smart! And do you have a go-to healthy food of choice?
LE: Yeah, I’m really into tropical fruits like mango, and dragon fruit, and I love to drink coconut milk after a workout. It just gives you that extra boost of energy. Or I’ll make an almond butter and strawberry shake which is a good source of protein after a workout.
YB: Switching gears a little bit to beauty, what is your best post workout beauty tip?
LE: Usually I workout in the mornings and I have to rush to a meeting afterwards, so after I shower all I’ll put on is a lightweight lotion that won’t clog my pores, and then I’ll use the Wander Beauty On-The-Glow Stick – on one side it’s an illuminator and on the other side it’s a cream blush that can be used on your lips and cheeks. They’re cream based so that your skin is going to breathe; it’s going to look healthy and glowing. It’s so quick and easy to do. So you can go to the gym, pack it in your gym bag, and then throw on a little mascara with it and you’re all set. So it really downsizes your makeup bag and allows you to quickly do your makeup and head back to work.
YB: Right. Any tips or tricks for how to use the Wander Beauty product?
LE: Our illuminator is so beautiful on your skin. There’s so many ways to wear it – you can wear it on your brow bone, on your cheek bones, down your nose to make it appear slimmer, the inner corner of your eyes to make you look more fresh, on your lid – you can wear it as a wash of color on your lip. My whole goal with Wander Beauty is to simplify women’s beauty routines and make it innovative, easy, multi-tasking beauty essentials based on women on-the-go that’s going to make them feel gorgeous and confident.
Interview has been edited and condensed.
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