Olunike Adeliyi
Actress
Brampton-born actor Olunike Adeliyi considers fitness essential to her career. But despite having work (she's currently playing a cop on CTV's Flashpoint) as an incentive to stay fit, the 34-year-old wonders how to tone up her discipline.
My goal
"I do physical roles so it's important for me to maintain a healthy body. I secretly dream of playing a superhero and I also like the way I look naked and feeling sexy."
My workout
"I use my condo gym at 8 a.m., and I start with cardio for 20 minutes, alternating between the bike and treadmill inclined at the maximum height. Then I hit the indoor pool for some water aerobics to target my glutes, arms and torso. After that I swim laps to end with a full-body workout.
"I've learned a bit of karate, muay thai, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu when I recently played a spy in Who is Simon Miller. My training took place a few weeks before the shoot, and then during filming with fight co-ordinators. I trained three times a week and continue the same routine now. I go to Good Life in Mississauga and train with Peter Luzar."
"Other methods I use to stay fit include hiking, biking, long walks by my home and a lot of dancing - my secret weapon. The way my body moves to the deep drumbeats of hip hop, R&B and house music keeps my entire body tight and toned. I dance in clubs, lounges, house parties, in the streets, church, rehearsal studios - anywhere that has music playing."
My lifestyle
"I eat lots of greens, fruits, brown rice, various nuts. I stopped eating red meat and increased my fish intake and eggs with Omega 3. Breakfast is yogurt, fruit and granola or steamed spinach and eggs. Throughout the day, I continue eating fruits and various salads and grains or nuts. Dinner usually consists of steamed greens or quinoa with chicken, fish or beans. Everything can fit in the palm of your hand. Overeating makes me feel sluggish."
My motivation
"My mom. I grew up seeing her walk a lot instead of drive and she has the tightest butt and legs I've ever seen on a woman in her age group. My mom also taught me about the importance of eating healthy."
My anthem
"Beyoncé's Run the World (Girls) and Moment 4 Life by Nicki Minaj."
My challenge
"Discipline. I tend to take long breaks because my weight never fluctuates and I forget sometimes that staying fit helps mind, body and soul."
The critique
Mary Paterson, director of Lotus Yoga Centre in Toronto, suggests that Kundalini, a practice of physical movements, breath techniques and meditation, could improve motivation and, in turn, discipline to exercise consistently.
Up discipline with yoga
"Olunike should take classes three times per week with a group because when she practises in a group, [she will]work with more focus and feed off of other people's good energies; this is called the power of the sangha," she says. "When you are around like-minded people there is an amplification of your experience, you become more powerful after one class."
Download a mindfulness app
Ms. Paterson recommends tapping into modern technology with a Stillness Buddy application that features auditory cues, designed to reinforce the new behaviour Ms. Adeliyi wants to adopt.
"Using the Stillness Buddy, Olunike could set her computer to chime at 15-minute intervals to remind her of the importance of keeping her mind/body/spirit workouts regular, plus it triggers a self-assessment: Are you thinking, saying, doing what nourishes your true self? She may find that helps with discipline."
This interview has been condensed and edited.
Special to The Globe and Mail