Fitness guru and healthy food advocate Ludy Lacourt has lived around Asia for six years. She moved to Macau three years ago and shares her passion for sports and fitness with her Instagram followers.
Where did your love of fitness originate?
It comes from my Dad who was in the military and used to exercise a lot, and he still does at 57. He really showed me how important exercise is for a balanced life.
Were you always healthy?
No. I come from a family who loves food. My mom is a really good cook but she never really taught us what was good or bad. I grew up with a lot of sugary stuff around me, sweets, Nutella, etc. – I was addicted to sugar. I was also a very “festive” student in France and went to a lot of parties, where, as you can imagine, it was just alcohol and a lot of unhealthy meals all the time.
Best tip for finding consistency with workouts?
The most important thing is to find the type of sport you enjoy. Of course you need to give yourself some time to learn and to appreciate it, to allow your body to get used to it, to feel the change in your wellbeing. But if after two months, you do not see any improvement in any of these areas, I highly recommend finding another activity.
What does “balance” mean to you?
For me balance means to be able to find the little tricks that help you stay happy and connected with yourself. We are evolving all the time and the constantly changing environments can make it challenging to live a balanced life. It starts by finding a few minutes per day to focus on your wellbeing mentally and physically. It can be as simple as taking a few minutes of relaxation or meditation, pampering yourself, practicing a physical activity, or organizing your day.
Do you remember the moment you realized things were taking off for you on Instagram?
It was about two years ago. I had just started my studies to be a personal trainer and decided to open an Instagram account to share some tips and knowledge about fitness and nutrition. It was just for fun and at that time I would have never expected this kind of success.
What inspired you to start your fitness project? How did you come up with the idea to create the fitness programs?
After a few months, I started to realize that many French girls had an interest in fitness and healthy lifestyle, but with all the different information on the internet, a lot of them were a bit confused and did not know which exercise or advice to follow. I also realized that most of them did not really have the time to go to a gym or could afford a personal trainer. This is where the idea of online coaching came from–to offer them a monthly fitness program based on videos that they can easily do at home even with a tight schedule.
Where is the best place to exercise outdoors in Macau?
The trails in Coloane. I love running there and doing some bodyweight exercises. I feel like I am not in Macau. There are also some more central places to work out like Taipa Park or Taipa Houses – Museum garden where you can have fun working out with some benches and local equipment.
What are the best ways to eat healthily in Macau?
My favorite spot is The Blissful Carrot. It has only fresh and tasty vegetarian dishes. There are also super yummy vegan, gluten-free cakes available as well. I spend so much time there that I’ve become friends with the owners and we are even working together on a recipe book which will be available early next year.
What do you think of fitness in Macau?
I have seen a huge change since I arrived three years ago. There are many new activities and people have more choices compared to before. I am happy to be part of a new great project, founded by my Brazilian friend, Cintia: Mana Vida. Mana Vida is a movement which encourages a healthier lifestyle. The aim is to help people to be more active by organizing various free activities like hiking, running, walking etc. For all paid activities (like boot camp) a certain percentage goes to charity, which is a great reason to work out!
Follow Ludy on Instagram to get started with some easy workouts now: @ludy_gogirlzz and check out her website www.gogirlzz.com
To learn more about the Mana Vida project, visit their Facebook page, and most importantly: get out there and get exercising!
