Health, Beauty and Lifestyle with Denise McNamara

So, have you already decided to turn over a new leaf for 2025? Personally, I never start anything big in early January, it’s just too hard to keep going in the most miserable month of the year.

Dry January is just not a concept I’ve ever signed up to. Dry February makes more sense as the bills come flooding in – December and January is when I have to fork out for car insurance, house insurance, travel insurance, car tax and the bloody NCT – and that’s after settling up with Santa.

But it doesn’t stop me reading about people who are healthier than me.

During 2024, I interviewed Brittany Williams, a former Miss United States, six-times Fitness Universe Champion, certified Holistic Health & Fitness Coach and a Hotworx Virtual Instructor and Ambassador. Before coming to the Galway infrared exercise studio in the Liosbán to do some promotional work, she had lived in Dubai where she was engaged as a personal trainer for a very wealthy woman. She was on call round the clock to do sessions.

Can you imagine being so loaded that you have a person to kick your butt and get exercising even if you’re not feeling like it?

Celebrity fitness routines hold the key to achieving a lithe body, according to one email that found its way into my inbox this week.

Fitness expert and CEO of Sprung Gym Flooring, Richard McKay, reveals some of their secrets to transform our fitness routines for 2025.

Paul Mescal’s workout focuses on building muscle and agility. His training includes heavy lifting to stimulate growth, followed by body-part-specific sessions, something he obviously perfected for his role in the Gladiator sequel. With a diet rich in protein and healthy fats, Paul aims for a slight calorie surplus to support muscle development. He balances intense training with occasional drinks, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and enjoying the process.

Taylor Swift’s training for her performances is intense, focusing on strength and conditioning during the off-season. On tour, she maintains her fitness with bi-weekly sessions for stability and mobility. She builds stamina by running while singing her setlist. She also works on breathing techniques to strengthen her core, embracing resilience in both her training and mindset.

Beyoncé combines strength, cardio, and dance to stay fit. Post-twins, she embraced a curvier body and focused on patience. Her leg routine includes jumping lunges and plié jumps, and she prioritises stretching for flexibility.

“Beyoncé often does quick bodyweight exercises between rehearsals. To prepare for tours, she increased her training to two days, blending cardio and strength.”

Pictured: Paul Mescal with his Gladiator muscles.