Even if you don’t stan Toole’s taste in music (she also spearheads Peloton’s #MovieBuff series, which are rides set to empowering movie soundtracks) there’s so much to admire about this inspirational Peloton instructor. She’s also a fitness influencer, athleisure fashion icon, and has a background in professional cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, and boxing. Forget the trifecta—Toole’s a quadruple threat! So, what’s the key to rocking it like Toole? Read on for Toole’s best-kept wellness secrets!
Kendall Toole’s wellness secrets
Wellness Secret #1: Abide by the “3 daily musts”
According to Toole, the “three daily musts” are move your body, challenge your mind, and nourish your soul. “The first is pretty simple—moving the body in some way helps,” Toole tells Parade.com. “The second challenge can come from reading a new book, solving a puzzle or even committing to trying meditation, which is my personal favorite.” While each person’s 3 Daily Musts look a little different, the third is super important to mental and physical health. After all, “nourishing your soul” is just another way to say “self-care.” “Soul nourishment is taking the time to stop and enjoy,” Toole explains. “Enjoy a moment of pure laughter with family and friends, take time to be creative and express yourself, or put down the phone and screen and absorb the world around you. Nature heals and spending time in gratitude for all that we currently are and possess is key.” Here Are the 30 Best Peloton Theme Rides for 2021
Wellness Secret #2: Form a sleep routine for better shut-eye
We all have our weaknesses—and for Toole, it’s sleep. “Full disclosure, sleep is challenging for me at times,” Toole says. “I am truly a night owl. My creative juices fire once it’s dark outside, so finding ways to shut my mind down is key. Limiting screen time (yes, I literally have parental control locks for myself on my phone after a certain hour) as well as winding down with a similar routine all help.” If you also have a tendency to scroll away while in bed, take Toole’s advice and set those parental control locks on your phone ASAP. “Add in a sleep mask and whoosh! I am ready to get some deep Zzz’s,” Toole adds.
Wellness Secret #3: Schedule your workouts
If we can make time in our schedules for things like doctor’s appointments, therapy sessions, and time to get to the grocery store, who’s to say that workouts aren’t just as important? Pencil those babies in! “Schedule your work just like you schedule a Zoom call or family time,” Toole recommends. “Start small with 20-minute commitments and see if you can up that time as you adapt to this new habit.” Once you get accustomed to adding workouts to your calendar, it will become second nature. In fact, you don’t have to schedule it all at once either if you’re strapped for time. “Remember, workouts still count even if you have to space them out, thus a 10-minute arms class and a couple hours later, hopping on a ride with a midday break for a pilates class really adds up!” Toole says. “For the days it just seems too much or life gets in the way (that happens so, no shame!), try to include activity into your daily life.” Don’t have time for a ride? Integrate and prioritize fitness wherever and whenever you can. “This could be taking the stairs, blasting tunes while cleaning up the kitchen and dancing it out, or especially as the weather improves and seasons change, take date night outdoors for a hike or stroll through a new neighborhood with maybe a little picnic,” Toole adds.
Wellness Secret #4: Sneak greens into your food whenever you can
And no, we don’t mean slipping spinach where it doesn’t belong. Toole’s best-kept nutrition secret is—drum roll, please—microgreens. “My favorite way to pack in some greens before noon is adding microgreens—AKA tiny, nutrient-packed little sprouts—into my morning meal as well as my favorite green smoothie,” Toole says. “It really packs a punch in the best way.” The best part about microgreens is they can be added to just about anything. Besides smoothies, they can be a topper on avocado toast, burgers, salads, and somuch more.
Wellness Secret #5: Prioritize the small stuff
That’s when the magic happens, according to Toole. “The secret is in the ‘small’ stuff. Things like Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) or foam rolling before and after you put in work, and ensuring you warm-up or ‘activate’ the muscle groups you will be focusing on as well as keeping a mind-muscle connection when performing exercises,” Toole explains. A big part of this is visualization, too. What do you want? What are your goals? Picture it, then achieve it. “If you want stronger glutes, literally put your mind in your peach: visualize the movement and focus on the muscles while working and you will see and feel the most from your workouts,” Toole adds. Next up, check out Ally Love’s best-kept wellness secrets.
