MY FIT LIFE
What gets the actress and star of The Vampire Diaries going? Puppy kisses, infrared yoga and a night in with her squad
Actress Nina Dobrev
FUEL
I’m not human until I’ve had my coffee. After the alarm clock goes off – and my dog Maverick makes me get up by licking my face – I head to the kitchen to make an Americano. Then I blend vegan protein and collagen powder with half a banana, almond milk, coconut and peanut butter and ice – once I’m fed, I can function.
REST
I’m a nightmare if I don’t get between seven and eight hours’ sleep every night. But all the travelling I do means that I regularly need to catch up on rest. That’s why, on a very rare day off, you’ll find me at home, curled up on the sofa with a book – I love getting lost in thrillers, like Dead Certain by Adam Mitzner. I’d relish the chance to spend a whole day being lazy and no use to anyone except myself.
NOURISH
I fly a lot for work, which seems to suck all of the moisture out of my face. I make sure I drink water regularly while I’m in the air and apply a layer of Dior Hydra Life Fresh Hydration Sorbet Crème (£45.50, John Lewis) before I board. Not only does it rehydrate my skin, it has the yummiest cashmere-like feel on my face.
EXPERIMENT
I’m not shy when it comes to trying out new wellness trends – and I’m spoilt for choice in LA. Last year, I had cryotherapy, and I even tried a cleansing sweat lodge. On my list for 2018 is infrared yoga. It’s always interesting to find new ways to push my body’s limits.
SWEAT
As a child, I trained in gymnastics, which instilled discipline in me and a love of challenging my body. Creating my new #Likenina Grit workout with Reebok and Les Mills was the hardest thing I’ve ever done – but also one of the best. The explosive cardio moves leave me totally exhausted but flooded with endorphins and feeling like a rock star.
FOCUS
My daily half-hour workouts with my trainer Lissa Bankston* are tough but I savour every minute of them. I see it as time for me to do something good for my body – normally I’m so caught up with what everyone else needs from me.
WATCH
I recently started rewatching old films and I love Goldie Hawn classics like Death Becomes Her and Overboard. I made the mistake of watching another oldie, The Bridges Of Madison County, on a flight to New York. Meryl Streep’s performance made me cry so much, the other passengers must have thought I’d lost my mind.
PLAY
I’m not the type to wallow when things don’t go my way. Life’s ups and downs have taught me that laughter is the best medicine for bad days, so when I have one, I call up my hilarious girlfriends and invite them over.