Nutrition

Lilly Sabri: How To Have A Healthy, Happy Life

6th July 2017

By Harriet Mallinson | Published on July 6, 2017


When scrolling through Lilly Sabri’s Instagram it’s hard to not be a teensy bit jealous: she’s toned, glowing and grinning wildly in almost every image.

However, the half Cypriot and half Irish fitness model, physiotherapist and Pilates instructor works hard to get the body she flaunts so confidently.

She tells MACROS that the Instagram account was set up two years ago at a time when she was trying to film her Pilates classes and had resolved to take her own nutrition and training even more seriously.

Now, the 27-year-old works out every day, if not twice a day when she’s teaching, and avoids all unhealthy foods.

A post shared by Lilly Sabri (@lillysabri) on

“My main message is that no matter your size, shape or physical ability, anyone can get into fitness,” she enthuses. “But the only way to achieve a good fitness level and live a healthy, happy life is to maintain balance: you need the right exercise, the right nutrition and to get enough sleep and drink lots of water.”

Lilly has the most impressive abs and her advice for a strong core and staying lean is to eat regularly and often; “I actually eat more calories than people think I do!” she says.

The London-based model eats six to eight meals a day, all of which are very small and Mediterranean style. “I’m vegetarian but I reintroduced fish two years ago after my protein levels got too low,” Lilly explains. “I lost too much weight and was struggling to build muscle.”

 

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One of her favorite foods to include in her diet are açaí berries, partly thanks to her time in Australia where the plant is very popular. “I really recommend them,” she gushes, “Victoria Secret models use them and they’re great for glowing skin and hair!”

Lilly tends to include açaí berries in frozen or powdered form in her morning smoothie bowls: “I’ll eat a smoothie bowl after my workout and add in protein powder,” she informs us. “They’re great because you can throw in whatever you fancy. I normally add lots of superfoods such as flax and chia seeds plus plenty of fruit and veg.”

The athlete also takes protein supplements such as Optimum Nutrition’s Opti Lean products and encourages other ladies to do the same. “Lean is a look women are keen to have these days,” she says, “but many of them are scared of taking protein as it might bulk them up which isn’t the right thought process at all.”

A post shared by Lilly Sabri (@lillysabri) on

A post shared by Lilly Sabri (@lillysabri) on

She advises: “If you take right protein for you at right time, it will help you build muscle and tone in the right areas and create a lean look.”

The blond beauty is keen for everyone to grow more confident when it comes to embracing a fitness lifestyle – men as well as women.

“You don’t need to tell everyone when you start on a fitness regime,” Lilly insists, “just remember your goal and focus on it. Take progress pictures and really plan what you can do. You also don’t need to go to a fancy gym –  you can work out from your own living room if you like and you can look after your nutrition from your kitchen.”

“Fitness is for everyone and it can improve your quality of life, if you want it to,” she concludes, before heading off to lead a fitness class at an Optimum Workout, “but don’t be scared to ask for help!”