When we were given the chance to interview 50-year-old transformational coach and competitive athlete, Loredana Moretti, we jumped. Loredana isn’t just a dynamo in the competitive fitness world—she’s also a shining example of health who’s managed to fit the occasional cocktail into her clean regime. See our interview with her below, and find out what Loredana suggests you make your go-to patio drink this summer (plus check out one of her fave recipes, below)! —Noa Nichol
Tell us a bit about yourself, your background in fitness and your personal fitness philosophy.
I am an entrepreneur, mother, wife and an expert in all things fitness. I live a normal life and I have learned how to fit my health and fitness into a busy schedule. I call it reality fitness. My personal philosophy is simple … live your best life, make sacrifices for the things you want but don’t torture yourself.
My journey began later in life as I started to get very serious about fitness when I turned 40, so I am not a lifelong athlete—reminding you that it is never too late. I have been a fitness competitor for the last 10 years, ending my run in Worlds in Las Vegas as fourth in the world.
My fitness philosophy is also pretty simple: "look good naked." That’s the difference between getting skinny (which is what most of us tried to do in our younger years) and getting fit (which requires a very balanced lifestyle of training and food, i.e., hard work). Remember: skinny girls look good in clothes fit girls look good naked. Fit is the new skinny.
What are some of the myths around alcohol’s place in a healthy diet/lifestyle?
The fitness industry’s anti-alcohol stance is due, in large part, to the (lack of) nutritional content contained in alcohol, but I would tend to believe we are not indulging in alcoholic beverages for nutritional content (I know I’m not!). Also, like protein, and contrary to popular belief, alcohol is not easily converted to fat. Alcohol is more of a fat-burning suppressor, which means it will be the first fuel burned, stopping fat stores from burning until it is gone … so dance whenever you can and burn it off that same night!
Where and how do you see a cocktail (or a beer, or a glass of bubbly) fitting into a healthy diet/lifestyle?
My position on alcohol and healthy lifestyle is balance and moderation. You can absolutely drink on a healthy living lifestyle plan. It’s all about moderation and choices. I always choose low-calorie beverages and try to incorporate healthful elements to my drinks. This makes the drink fun, delicious and adds a pop of health. It is important to do things you enjoy when sticking to a plan because once you feel completely deprived, that’s when binge eating or drinking will start. That is the true danger (and it is more common than anyone wants to admit).
I really don’t have hard and fast rules per say, as when to partake in a few cocktails, but I will suggest thinking ahead and try to make allowances whenever you can. Do not feel guilty if you end up in a spur of the moment cocktail with a friend, for example. Enjoy the moment and have a great time. My philosophy on that is get up, pay the piper the next day by training and resume your healthy lifestyle right away. Train like a beast to make the calories you took in on your cheat relevant and useful. Don’t forget to drink a tonne of water as this really does help. Smile that your night was great, move on and never stay down. You will never win a fight on the ground so get up and start swinging.
Finally, please always keep moderation in mind as balance is the key. But, if you do go overboard, just stay away from drinking for a while. To compensate, you might have to decline the next outing. The struggle is real ladies!
How does a low-cal cocktail stack up to the real deal in terms of taste and, well, effect?
I love the taste of clean food and drinks (and you will, too), so my opinion on low-calorie cocktails or highballs is they are delicious and refreshing. Let’s be clear: fitness is all about getting used to new things and appreciating simple tastes. Clean tastes better and is always the better choice for your body, whether it
is food or drinks. Add micro nutrients whenever possible with lemons, limes and other fruits.What’s in your cocktail (or wine) glass at the moment?
This summer has been a hot one so I have opted for vodka sodas, mojitos and champagnes. I want to stress vodka soda lime in a tall glass as your go-to drink. You can get it anywhere you happen to be, it is super low in calories, the sodium in soda helps hydrate (alcohol can be very dehydrating) and the lime has many health benefits.
Champagne nods to an earlier time when drinking was classy and sophisticated, not the ugly thing society is making it out to be. Champagne just speaks for itself. Enjoy this sophisticated, low-calorie social beverage—it will help keeping you leaner, smarter and heart healthy. A flute glass just speaks to how high society you look … yes, you heard that from me!
Can you share a recipe for a tasty low-cal cocktail?
Moretti Margarita
Ingredients:
3 oz Sparkling Ice Lemon Lime or Diet 7Up
1 oz tequila (white)
1/2 oz Grand Marnier
Fresh-squeezed orange juice (1/2 a small orange)
Fresh-squeezed lime juice (1/2 juicy lime)
1 lime slice, for garnish
Method:
Shake ingredients over ice and pour into a rocks glass rimmed with salt. Garnish with lime slice.
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