Sommer Ray is stretching in her workout gear. In a new social media post the gorgeous influencer shows off her incredibly fit figure in a sports bra and leggings, getting ready for a sweat session in a studio. “Morning stretch,” she wrote about the Instagram Stories images. How does the fitness influencer maintain her impressive physique? Here is everything you need to know about her diet and exercise routine.
Sommer started her weight lifting journey at the age of 14 and started competing at 16. She explained, “it’s a whole different world where many girls are on steroids, and I didn’t want to do that to my body,” to Cosmopolitan about her decision to quit competing.
Sommer understands the importance of stretching, as can be evidenced in her recent post. “Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints,” says Harvard Health. “Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.”
Sommer exercises like it’s her job – because it is. You can find her in sweat sessions five times a week for up to 90 minutes, spending an entire two days on her lower body. “If my glutes are sore, I tell myself, ‘I probably shouldn’t work them today,’ ” she explained. “I just listen to my body.” She also mixes things up. “There’s not a certain exercise or specific workout that’s beneficial,” she says. “I switch it up every day and try to make it fun, because as soon as it feels like a job, you don’t want to do it.”
Ray consumes at least 70 grams of protein per day to keep her glutes built and maintain muscle mass. She starts the day with a protein shake, and then eats five more small but protein-packed meals throughout the day, she told Cosmo. Grilled chicken, veggies and steamed white rice is one of her go-to meals. Starchy veggies and whole grains fulfill her carb requirements. “If I want a slice of pizza, I have a slice of pizza. I want to look good, but I also want to enjoy life,” she explained. She added to Luxury Lifestyle Magazine that she can’t say no to a weekly burger. “Ooh, easy. In-n-out. I probably go once a week,” she said when asked what her favorite restaurant was.
What is Sommer’s self-care ritual? “Baths lol, I love baths with Epsom salts and lavender essential oil. It’s really the most relaxing thing for me. It’s my therapy, I can sit in there for hours,” she told Paper. Baths have been linked to better sleep and even found helpful to minimize anxiety and depression. One recent study even found that they may even boast cardiovascular benefits.