At some point, many of us realize that fitness needs to take priority. For Ryan Destiny, that realization came in the form of a major movie role.
The actor and singer, who you might know from her days in the girl group Love Dollhouse or her starring role in Star, was about as far from a gym regular as you could get. “[Going to the gym] was not my lifestyle,” she tells Well+Good.
But when she landed the role of Olympic boxer Claressa Shields in The Fire Inside, everything changed—and we mean everything. And we’re not talking about just memorizing new lines or learning to throw a convincing punch on camera. Destiny had to completely transform her body, gaining muscle mass and strength, all while shifting her mindset to become someone who *actually* looks forward to working out.
This whole lifestyle change, which Destiny says was huge for her mental health, has transformed her for the better. Now, she’s found a sweet spot with workouts that fit into her busy schedule—and she’s sharing her secrets with us.
These days, she’s all about low-impact workouts
When Destiny was prepping for The Fire Inside, her routine was anything but chill. She was training five times a week, alternating between boxing and weight training. In other words, she was basically living at the gym. After gaining muscle mass for the role, she wanted to get back to her regular size while still maintaining the strength she’d worked so hard to build. Now she’s found a more sustainable (and honestly, way more enjoyable) way to stay fit: low-impact workouts. Here’s what her fitness routine consists of these days.
Walking is her fitness MVP
“I think people don’t realize how much walking is a really, really great workout,” Destiny says. It’s honestly the most underrated form of exercise, and for beginners, especially, it’s a great way to get moving without the pressure of figuring out where to start, she adds.
At first, she aimed for 10,000 steps a day, but that quickly felt unrealistic. “I could do it sometimes, but every day, I just couldn’t,” she laughs. So, instead of counting steps, she commits to at least one hour of intentional (not the casual stroll) walking daily, at a solid pace and with focused movement. And when she’s feeling extra motivated, she’ll go for those ambitious step goals.
Pilates brings the burn
Pilates is a staple in Destiny’s routine. She fits in a session once or twice a week, alternating between group and one-on-one classes.
And don’t let the slow pace of Pilates fool you. Destiny says the intensity sneaks up on you in the best way, and the burn is real. Plus, Pilates may help with things like pain relief, improved balance, and even better sleep.1 But balance is key. Too many Pilates sessions in one week can feel like too much, she explains, so she keeps it light, yet consistent.
Her at-home setup keeps things simple
Consistency was one of Destiny’s biggest challenges initially, so she created a home gym setup that eliminates every excuse. Her must-haves include a yoga mat, dumbbells (she switches between 5 and 10 pounds), and a jump rope—which she especially loves for travel since it packs so easily.
Oh, and she’s totally loving her walking pad. A small investment? Sure. If you’re feeling fancy, there are plenty of high-end options. But you don’t have to splurge to get moving. And there are solid picks under $200 that’ll do the job. We like the DeerRun Walking Pad Treadmill ($150) or the UREVO Spacewalk E4W Walking Pad that’s currently on sale ($199). At the end of the day, find what works for you and whatever makes skipping a workout feel like the harder choice.
Rest days are non-negotiable
Here’s something Destiny wishes she’d known from the start: rest is just as important as the workout itself. “I didn’t realize how much rest I needed,” she says, adding that when you start your fitness journey, you might think you just have to go, go, go.
People had to remind me to make sure I got my rest in, she says. Getting enough rest helps your body repair and strengthen your muscles after a workout.2 Now, she makes recovery a priority, especially on weekends. She focuses on getting enough protein and letting her muscles rebuild.
Working out was only one piece; nutrition brought the transformation
Destiny will be the first to tell you: she had the nutrition thing totally backward at first. She was focused on crushing her workouts, but it wasn’t until she dialed in her eating—especially her protein intake—that she started seeing the transformation she was after.
Most of her protein-packed meals happen at breakfast, giving her a solid start to the day. Starting with enough protein is a must to keep her energy up and maintain the muscle she’s put so much effort into building.3
Her fave protein powder makes everything easier
When it comes to protein powder, Destiny has found her fave: Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey Protein. She’s definitely team chocolate (chocolate lovers unite!) And she absolutely loves the taste (after trying so many others), as it mixes well with just about everything she throws together, she says.
The only time she breaks from her chocolate loyalty is when protein pancakes are on the menu. “I usually do the vanilla flavor for [protein pancakes],” she says, adding that it just works better for that perfect breakfast combo.
Smoothies are her daily win
Destiny admits she’s “not the biggest cook,” and smoothies have become her saving grace. Her go-to recipe couldn’t be simpler: banana, almond milk, her chocolate protein powder, and a drizzle of honey.
It’s quick, it’s delicious, and it gets the job done. “If you like chocolate smoothies like me,” she says, this combo is pretty much foolproof.
Pancakes, but load them with protein
Who says you can’t have your pancakes and pack them with protein too? When Destiny wants to switch things up, protein pancakes are her go-to indulgence that doesn’t feel like cheating. A scoop of vanilla protein powder in the batter gives her that sweet breakfast vibe while still hitting her protein goals.
If she ends up having both a protein-packed breakfast and a smoothie on the same day, she’ll space them out. “Having both together can be a bit much for my stomach,” she says.
And one of her best hacks? Keeping a travel-size container of protein powder with her at all times, especially when she’s on the go. Protein is so great for muscle recovery, she says. This hack has been a total power move for staying on top of her protein intake and maintaining her muscle gains, no matter how hectic her schedule gets.
And balancing it all is a work in progress
Motivation doesn’t always show up when you need it (but you likely knew that), and Destiny’s right there with us. Some days, motivation might just be nonexistent, but she’s learned how to push through it anyway. How exactly? She leans on her people.
Her friends are on their own fitness journeys, so when solo motivation is running low, they team up for a workout. And having a boyfriend who’s also chasing his own fitness goals creates natural accountability without any pressure.
“Then, I remember how I feel when I do work out. I feel very accomplished, even if nothing else gets done that day,” she says. And working out makes her more intentional with life in general, she adds. Pushing through those moments when she doesn’t want to, and then feeling amazing afterward, has become something she’s “addicted” to. That sense of achievement is what keeps her going.
But as much as Destiny has found her routine, she’s still figuring out how to balance it all, especially when travel disrupts her flow. Time zone changes and exhaustion can derail even the best-laid plans, so she leans on small habits to stay on track, like phone reminders and packing her travel-size protein powder. When she’s home or in one place, the routine is easier; it’s the constant movement that requires extra planning.
The biggest lesson she’s learned
If there’s one thing Destiny wants everyone to remember, it’s that not all fitness advice will work for you. What clicks for someone else might feel totally off for your body, and that’s fine. The real win is figuring out what feels right for you—and being okay with some trial and error along the way.
The huge impact fitness has had on her mental health alone has made the effort worth it, she says. No matter how much you’re doing, as long as you’re doing something, it all adds up. For Destiny, the biggest payoff is simply following through, knowing she showed up for herself, even on the hardest days.
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