CRISTIANO RONALDO REVEALS HIS TOP 15 HEALTH AND FITNESS TIPS

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo explains the key to men's health and fitness with these tips.

He's won three Ballon d'Or awards and led Real Madrid to an unprecedented 10th Champions League title but Cristiano Ronaldo's successes are unlikely to have happened without a dedicated diet and fitness regime.

The Portugal star, who is widely regarded as the fittest athlete in the world, has provided insight into his health and fitness secrets through a series of tips related to his own nutrition and training methods.

From warming up to warming down and eating the right food to winding down with music, Ronaldo reveals all in his top 15 health and fitness tips as part of the new Spring/Summer 2015 collection of his CR7 underwear range.

Want to get abs like Ronaldo? These health and fitness tips are key to targeting that lofty goal...

 Ronaldo's top 15 health and fitness tips

1. Learn to train your mind as well as your body. Mental strength is just as important as physical strength and will help you achieve your goals.

2. Be disciplined. Keeping yourself motivated and sticking to your routine is key. For me, there is no room for easing off so I have to be strict.

3. Set yourself goals. It will help to keep you focused and work towards something.

4. Working with a training partner is a good way to add a bit of competitiveness and help push yourself. If you train with someone who is a similar level to you then you will help push each-other.

5. Proper sleep is really important for getting the most out of training. I go to bed early and get up early, especially before matches. Sleep helps muscles recover which is really important.

 6. Warming up properly prevents injury. In training we do a few laps of the pitch, stretching and cardio warm up exercises. Make sure you do something similar in your training, even if it is jogging to the gym or a warm up on the treadmill or bicycle.

7. Mix it up. I recommend a combination of cardio (running and rowing) and weight training to ensure that workouts target all areas of the body and increase both strength and stamina. It also helps to keep it interesting.

8. High intensity is important to get your blood pumping and to increase stamina. We do a lot of sprinting drills in training and they can be incorporated into your workout whether you are in the gym or outdoors. Try and add it to every workout you do.

9. Cardio sessions are also key for building up endurance and stamina, and to stay trim. Try to do periods of around 30 minutes, increasing the number of sessions as you get stronger.

10. Fit in exercise wherever you can. You can do an abs workout in your bedroom when you wake up in the morning or before you go to bed. If you get into a routine then it makes it easier as it will become a habit.

11. A good workout must be combined with a good diet. I eat a high protein diet, with lots of wholegrain carbs, fruit and vegetables and avoid sugary foods. I love fish, especially the Portuguese dish bacalhau à braz, and at restaurants I’ll order a steak with salad.

 Ronaldo says it's important to fit in exercise whenever you can (Reuters)

12. Make sure you stay hydrated. Drinking water is so important. I also avoid alcohol.

13. Eat regularly. If you train regularly it’s important to keep energy levels high to fuel your body for better performance. I sometimes eat up to 6 smaller meals a day to make sure I have enough energy to perform each session at top level.

14. I always make sure I have good music to listen to. It helps you zone out, get motivated and do your best. I like to listen to hip hop and reggaeton.

15. Relax. Training and physical sessions are most important, but living a relaxed lifestyle helps you to be the best you can be, physically and mentally. I spend my free time with family and friends, which keeps me relaxed and in a positive mind-set.

SOURCE

YAHOO SPORT