Elle Macpherson wasn’t nicknamed ‘The Body’ for no good reason. The 59 year old built herself a reputation and a career as a supermodel with her enviably athletic physique.
But as the WelleCo founder recently told Harper’s Bazaar UK, eating well and working out is about more than just looking good, it’s just another aspect of her holistic wellness routine.
“I don’t really work out to sculpt my body,” she explained. “I work out because I believe that breath and movement is so important for our health and wellbeing. And when you do that consistently, it really shows.”
“Just before I go to sleep, I fill my whole body with thoughts that support me, such as ‘I’m in perfect health, I am loving consciousness’. I also go through the day and recall things that made me laugh, or that touched me, and congratulate myself on the little things that I’ve accomplished,” she continued.
Her advice for people looking to emulate her aspirational lifestyle is simple: “Don’t fill yourself with what you didn’t do.”
As for the diet and exercise regimen that keeps Elle Macpherson’s body in such excellent shape? Keep scrolling for the lowdown…
What Elle Macpherson eats in a day
“I get up and drink a big jar of water that I prepare the night before with freshly squeezed lime and a quarter of a teaspoon of Celtic sea salt – so before anything I’m completely hydrating my body,” she told Harper’s.
After she’s hydrated her body, she makes herself an oat milk matcha, which she enjoys in the sun. But she’s specific about how she likes it prepared and only uses “a really good clean oat milk, with a ceremonial grade matcha”.
“After getting dressed I have my greens (WelleCo The Super Elixir, $69.99 at Chemist Warehouse), which combines 50 multivitamins and minerals, adaptogens, probiotics and prebiotics,” she continued.
At around 10am Elle will have a snack of “something light but nourishing”. Her favourite mid-morning snacks include chia pudding, coconut yoghurt or fruit with sprouted almond butter.
After she’s had a bite to eat she takes her supplements, which she tailors to what she’s working on in the moment. Sometimes she prioritises a hair or skin supplement, other times she focuses on boosting her immunity.
She also sticks to the same eating schedule every day and follows a plant-based, Ayurvedic type of diet.
At 2pm she’ll make a big smoothie with anything she can find in her kitchen (read: frozen banana, protein, coconut milk, chia seeds, flax and toka). At 4pm Elle will usually have a big brown rice bowl with avocado and sprouts and sunflower seeds, a curry, pho or sushi.
“I do this not for any weight control, but because I love to be easy on my digestive system and I want the nutrients I consume to be readily available,” she explained. “I try to support regenerative farmers and choose things that are organic – the quality of the food that I have directly affects the way I feel.”
This is what her workout routine looks like
Elle starts her day with a variety of yoga poses (think: sun salutations) and express workouts she can do in five minutes or less.
“Zach Bush has a fantastic four-minute workout, which releases nitric acid into the body, so it helps your muscles function properly,” she told the publication. “I also try to put my bare feet on the ground – not cement.”
But according to Elle, variety is the very core of her workout routine, which is why no two days look the same for her in terms of exercise.
“I just like movement; I do what I feel like on the day, which could be hiking, biking, swimming, yoga… I have a gym at home so sometimes I get on the elliptical or the bike and put on a documentary,” she explained. “Then I’ll maybe hang upside down, do squats or use my chi machine, which moves your body, circulating your lymphatic system.”
Sometimes she’ll forgo working out altogether and do something that allows her body to relax and reset.
“Something I much prefer to do over a workout class is a Russian banya. If I’m in London, I like to go to The Bath House,” she shared. “I’ll do a steam and cold plunge and the Parenie treatment, where they gently brush your body with birch leaves to improve circulation and the immune system.”
What do you think of Elle Macpherson’s approach to diet and exercise?
Main image credit: Getty
So many tablets and supplements
Her products are expensive too
They always are when they are good for you!!
I bought one once but then I found out it had dairy in it so I gave it to a friend who can have that
I tried them and so no difference. A mainly liquid diet is not that good especially over time
Interesting, I’ve never heard of some of the things she eats.
I had to google Chi machine too.
I had to look up toka: it’s a kind of plum.
Good to know -cheers
I have never heard of some of them either. !!
I would like to know how the 4 minutes workout looks like.
you would have to have a life devoted to your own well being -Can you imagine having a partner and familyin the middle of all this well being
Please correct “Nitric acid” to “Nitric oxide”. The former, is used to make fertilizers, explosives etc. And by Drs to burn warts (we have much better ways though!)
Yeh I might go out for a quick bike ride…..
Good idea !!
Why are her products so expensive?
Yes they are, what a pity.
Well, it certainly works for her
sounds like a lovely day
Her diet is not appealing but she does look fab.
yes she does look great but with all that work she should
Yes. I like my meat. Salt is salt. Not good for blood pressure.
She has time and money to do all this. I don’t think her diet is that healthy, yes healthier but too much fat still and salt in lemon water? Just lemon water is the best. That cleans you without putting more stress on your liver with the salt.
She has an amazing lifestyle. My life is chaos.
Sometimes chaos is fun
Her routine seems to work for her but I think she also has some great genes!
Yes I agree her genes play a big role but she makes her money by keeping that way
She is lovely and looks great but its not for me.
I 100% agree with the positive thoughts.
I’ve got better things to do than live by the clock. There’s no way this type of regimented lifestyle would work with my travel plans.
This type of strict regimentation certainly works for her but where does family and everyday living come into it.
Exactly. When does she have time to go to work.
Well I guess that this is part of her everyday living, looking good always.
That’s a lot of supplements rather than getting nutrients from food.
Elle looks amazing!
She looks amazing
Love her workout options. I am intrigued by the chi machine now.
It must be hard when your title is “The Body”
She certainly puts in the work to keep her title.
Elle definitely works hard for herself and looks amazing for it
“Don’t fill yourself with what you didn’t do.” This is such good advise. Only wish I could follow it all the time!!
I like her positivity, but I’m not keen on her diet.
Never going to get her genes! This doesn’t sound like a ‘satisfying’ diet, maybe that’s why she takes supplements.
Elle’s in a relationship with notorious and discredited Andrew Wakefield so I’ll take any of her advice with a grain of salt- pun intended!
She is very committed
I wish they were more affordable for everyone
I like her approach, i agree that your mindset plays a big role in your health
She keeps true to herself
I have no doubt that good genes and a lifetime of discipline help a lot.
She looks stunning. I would love to learn 4 minutes work out.
Her attitude and approach is great. She has very nice life. She is very disciplined. I can’t be good allllll the time. I try to find balance 80% good and 20% junk.