Whether you’re a long-time model or a teenaged hopeful who is just starting, staying healthy should be your topmost priority even amidst your modeling career. Aside from staying in shape, having a healthy lifestyle can also do wonders for your mental and emotional wellbeing.
And because the work is very demanding, modeling agencies advise their teen models to keep their body fit. This not only affords them the ease of wearing that new line of designer dresses but also to have enough energy to work through grueling hours of posing for photoshoots and waiting for their turn in the runway.
This article attempts to unravel all the vital practices in ensuring a sound mind and a healthy body while staying on point in your modeling career.
A Healthy Body
Like everybody else, keeping a healthy body is crucial for a model’s success at work and in life. Since the work can be physically demanding, being fit allows them to deliver the best work they can offer and perform to their optimum potential.
Eating a well-rounded diet, exercising regularly, and sleeping enough are three of the most important things every model should do to keep their body fit. However, it is worth noting that different models have varying approaches to keeping their physical wellbeing.
Here are four examples you can try:
1. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is crucial for a person’s health as it allows the body to replenish lost energy. It also rejuvenates and reinvigorates models to perform their best at work.
People of different ages have varying sleep requirements. For teenagers, sleep should be between nine and nine and a half hours every night. Unfortunately, most teens these days only get an average of seven hours – two hours short of what is recommended to help them get through school. For teen models, it is much more crucial that they get sufficient sleep since they will not only burn calories in school but also at work.
2. Eat Properly and Maintain a Healthy Weight
A well-rounded diet can help maintain a healthy weight while ensuring growth and development in teens. As such, it should have items from every food group for every meal.
Because they are required to maintain a specific weight and shape, runway models are at high risk of being underweight. In fact, some misconceive that success in modeling lies in starving themselves to maintain a thin physique.
However, new diet trends promoted by several A-list models are beginning to change this long-standing status quo.
For instance, one male model does not count the number of calories in the foods he eats. Instead, he creates his own balanced meals comprised of fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains, and good fats every single day. However, he still indulges in the occasional smoothie and some stir fry, something that is okay as long as it is done in moderation.
3. Exercise regularly
Physical activity is crucial for keeping a healthy weight and staying as fit as a fiddle. Make sure that you get at least 60 minutes of exercise a day to keep your body humming.
For modeling hopefuls, it is best to follow the example of fashion models who set aside time for activities like Pilates and workouts that target specific muscle groups in the body. The latter is particularly helpful for teens with areas that have been underworked.
You may also try exercises that don’t require gym equipment like bench box-jumps or enroll in a yoga class to improve your flexibility and balance. Of course, nothing beats the classic jog around the neighborhood to get those leg muscles pumping while allowing the intake of fresh air.
4. Listen to your doctor
Listening to your doctor is another effective way to keep yourself healthy. Aside from following the recommended diet, you must also heed his advice regarding vitamin supplements that help boost your immunity and vaccinations to help protect you from serious illnesses.
A Sound Mind
Starting a career in modeling can be emotionally and mentally draining. Because of the dynamic and highly competitive nature of the industry, many models often hear “no” during their entire career. This can be quite discouraging, especially for those who are just starting out and may leave them feeling like they have to give up.
This shouldn’t be the case. A sound mind and a positive perspective is the key to staying on the right track. To achieve this, you should know how to handle negativity properly. Here’s how:
5. Don’t focus on the negative
Focusing on the negative will only make matters worse. Instead, you should refocus your energy on things you can control.
Try improving yourself as a model by attending runway workshops and modeling classes. You may also get new headshots to bolster your portfolio. Even better, redirect your energy to learning more about the industry rather than dwelling on the disappointment.
6. Keep practicing
Practice is always the best way to improve. This is also true in modeling.
If you didn’t get that gig during a casting call, it doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t get anything from it at all. The truth is, you can turn it to your advantage by studying what the person who got hired did. Then, try to copy or improve it as you see fit.
Remember that every failure is an opportunity to learn. Think about the skills that made the other applicant better and practice adding that to your skillset. Rather than feeling intimidated and give up, use it as motivation to improve.
7. Don’t blame yourself
In some cases, models are hired not because of their skills, talent, or experience but because of how they look. If this is the case, you shouldn’t feel bad or blame yourself for not being “good enough” because the truth is, you couldn’t have done any better. It just so happened that your appearance isn’t what the client is looking for.
Keep in mind that you’ll eventually have your moment to shine. At that time, you would be preferred over someone who has more experience simply because of who you are.
8. Give yourself a break
Casting calls always have an element of uncertainty, so don’t take it too hard. Give yourself a break and do something that can help you improve or boost your confidence.
Be it exercising, getting a facial, or treating yourself to a bubble bath, do something that makes you feel good about yourself. Reward yourself for doing your best. After all, not everyone can do what you did during that casting call, and you deserve a break.
Invest in Your Wellness
Keep in mind that your overall health is crucial for your success in your modeling career. Make sure you don’t forget what matters and keep your mind and body fit and healthy.
AUTHOR BIO
Adam Jacobs is the Managing Director of Bubblegum Casting, the longest running agency specialising in babies, children and teen talent in Australia. Bubblegum Casting works with some of Australia’s biggest brands, media properties and agencies to secure talented children to work in Television, Film and Modelling roles.