Valerie Waters

There's a good chance you'll be traveling this holiday season, making it much more difficult to stick with a healthy routine. And while it's difficult, it's definitely not impossible — especially when armed with these tips from celebrity trainer Valerie Waters. Given that the OpenSky insider trains the likes of Jennifer Garner and Poppy Montgomery, she definitely knows how to keep the always-moving gal healthy and fit.

• Front-load your nutrition: When visiting family, it's likely most parties, indulgent meals, and social commitments will happen at night. Valerie's advice is to start each day with a well-balanced, healthy breakfast. Valerie's go-to breakfast is a powerful shake made with Sun Warrior protein powder, super greens, and chia seeds. "I still work on making the best choices at all my meals, but it's always helpful knowing I started the day right," Valerie said. Check out even more ideas for healthy, protein-packed breakfasts.
• Always make time to sleep: Whether it's a packed schedule or a different time zone, being away from home can make finding quality time with your pillow hard to come by. This is something Valerie knows all too well, so to help her sleep when she's away from home, she downloads nature sounds, like rainwater or breaking waves, on her phone to help her fall asleep more easily. While it's easy to do when you're away from home, avoid running yourself ragged by always making time for quality sleep. Take Valerie's tip to heart by downloading these sleep apps before you leave for your trip.

See two more tips from Valerie after the break!

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Ever wonder why "the beautiful people" often seem so chipper? (Not that we can't all answer that question firsthand.)  It could be the free gifts from transfixed average folks. Or . . . it could be the exercise.

Just ask Valerie Waters, fitness expert on LIVESTRONG.com's advisory board and trainer to pretty folks like Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck, Cindy Crawford, and Jennifer Lopez. Her motto: "You're one workout away from a good mood."

And I would add, with these moves culled from her "Red Carpet Ready" program, you're only a few workouts away from a better body too.

So, first of all, what makes Valerie Waters such a sought after trainer? It might be her flexible attitude and her bright smile, among other things. "Every workout needs to move you toward your goal, but also make you feel better," she asserts. "I always have a plan, but I also have a plan B. If someone didn't sleep the night before or they [have] PMS, I may modify the workout. I always make sure the client feels successful."

4 Tried and True Tips From Waters

1. Being consistent is key. That doesn't mean doing the same exercises all the time, but being regular, healthy and moderate in your lifestyle.
2. Don't do too much too soon or assume the workout will do it all.  If you want to lose weight, you must work on your diet!
3. For fast results, circuit train and eliminate sugar and white flour.
4. Eat more veggies and drink more water. These are cliches for a reason.

So, what's this "Red Carpet Ready" program really about? Read for a few key signature Valerie Waters moves using signature Valslide props, demonstrated by model Courtney Parks, after the break

Celeb trainer Valerie Waters helps get the ladies of Hollywood in shape for events like bikini shoots and walking the red the carpet. She's even named one of her lifestyle makeover programs Red Carpet Ready. But kicking your butt into shape, and I mean that literally (check out Val's booty-toning moves), is only part of the body transformation puzzle. This why Ms. Waters is a self-described food coach who tells all of her new clients, "If you don't change the way you eat, you won't change your body."

Valerie's mantra when it comes to food is: plan, prep, prepare. Not only is this part of her snacking philosophy, but she applies it to restaurant meals too. She explains that when you're staring at a menu starving, "You don't need more will power; you need a better strategy." This means researching the restaurant's healthy options and limiting yourself to those, taking temptation out of the picture.

To learn what food Valerie thinks you should avoid completely, keep on reading.

Celeb trainer Valerie Waters has helped many clients prep for roles and the red carpet, including Jennifer Garner and Jessica Biel. She's even named one of her programs Red Carpet Ready. With the Oscars just around the corner, I sat down with Val to learn some of her tips on getting ready for a big event. And although most starlets wear long dresses to the Oscars, those cut-on-the-bias silks cling to all the curves, making it necessary to tone the booty.

Valerie to the rescue — she's famous for helping ladies tone their backsides and lift their seats. I asked her to share her three favorite butt-toning moves. To learn the booty circuit workout Valerie does with her clients, just read more.

Celeb trainer Valerie Waters has helped many clients prep for roles and the red carpet, including Jennifer Garner and Jessica Biel. With the Oscars just around the corner, I sat down with Val to learn some of her tips on getting ready for a big event.

Funny enough we spent most of our time talking about food — Valerie freely admits she is not a dietitian and calls herself a food coach. And who couldn't use a little coaching when it comes to food? Well-timed snacks are part of her plan to get you ready for your red carpet event. Valerie strongly believes in the power of snacking, mainly to keep your blood sugar levels steady so you don't binge on sugar and low quality carbs in a fit of hunger or panic.

When it comes to snacks, her mantra is "Plan. Prep. Prepare." You need to "pack your snacks the night before," and she advocates keeping an ounce of almonds mixed with two tablespoons of raisins in your purse as an emergency snack for when you're on the go. Valerie explains that a snack "should be a mixture of protein and carbs. The protein is filling and the carbs give you instant energy." Portion control is important for your snacking. A snack "is about 150 calories. It's not a meal . . . it's a bridge to the next meal."

Learn a few of her snack ideas when you read more

Celeb trainer Valerie Waters, who most of you voted as the Hollywood trainer you most want to work with, is a pragmatist. She began her fitness career with an interest in body building but knows her celebrity clientele often want to look toned rather than muscular. Although she likes to occasionally "hit the steel," she trains to meet her clients' needs.

I was able to ask Valerie some questions in a video chat yesterday, and she definitely likes to talk about food. But who doesn't, really? Valerie is not a nutritionist, nor does she claim to be. She calls herself a food coach and offers some practical and motivating advice when it comes to food. First off, it comes back to pragmatism; Val says eating healthy is about making "wise choices. Sometimes the wise choice is just a better choice. It doesn't mean it is the perfect choice. It's about making the best choice from what is available to you right now." Don't shoot for perfectionism, but know that you can make a change when it comes to food. Val added, "You are one meal away from eating better." A simple saying to inform your daily eating habits.

As a personal trainer, Val knows times around the holidays are hectic. To see how she can help you fit in a workout, read more