Kat is featured in the latest issue on the cover of the magazine Gio Journal – May 2021 with a absolutely stunning photoshoot of Kat in the sun on holiday and a full in-depth interview with her about her body, how she keeps fit, what she eats and what she has been up to and will be up to soon.

giojournal – Q: You are one busy woman, Miss Katherine McNamara! Between your crazy filming schedule & flying around the world for photo shoots, how do you stay disciplined in your diet and exercise regime? After all, our body is a temple.
A: Why thank you, Mr. John Russo! I thrive on staying busy and proactive – that extends to my physical activity as well. Staying active and eating well fuels me in a way that allows me to keep up with my work hard/travel often lifestyle, so I have always been determined to find a way to make it work. It’s all about prioritizing time management. By taking the initiative to think ahead, I can find those little pockets of time to fit in a workout here and a grocery store trip there to stay on task. I was lucky enough to have an amazing trainer in the beginning of my fitness journey (who I still work with today remotely) who is so inventive and gets excited by the challenge of finding creative solutions for time and locational constraints for people who are motivated to stay in shape no matter where life takes them. This inspired the same motivation in me to do the same. In the end, I have learned that the more stamina I build and the more good quality fuel I give my body, the more I am able to continue pushing myself beyond my previously conceived physical or creative limits.

Q: I think we all love to indulge in a treat from time to time. Are there certain foods that are simply non negotiable? Regardless of how bad it is for you, you still manage to incorporate them in your diet.
A: Oh yes… there are several – but I’ll give you a few of the “greatest hits.” Butter for one – I’m a good southern girl. I will eat butter on anything. Seriously. Oatmeal butterscotch cookies, ice cream, mashed potatoes (or any potato dish really), candy corn, and Mexican food are other front runners. Oh and Paris as a whole, I will eat anything and everything in Paris. Calories don’t count for me in that city. I have also had a lot of fun in recent years getting creative and finding ways to bake even relatively within any healthy boundaries I’m trying to keep. For example, this year, I learned how to make a gluten-free, low sugar fruit crumble that is still utterly glutenous and divinely naughty.

Q: Is there a certain food you want to eat more of and incorporate in your diet?
A: I’m always attempting to learn about nutrition and how certain foods affect my body and energy levels. The more I learn, the more variety I can incorporate into my diet. For me, it’s all about getting the right kinds of nutrients, protein, etc that will give me the fuel I need to keep going and keep building the strength and skill for which I am striving. I also look for things I can quickly meal prep at the beginning of a busy week and eat on the go. Truth be told, I also look for ways to make it delicious as well. Filling and fueling is important, but food should also be delicious even if it’s healthy!

Q: What is your physical activity of choice to stay in killer shape? Yes you can go there!! Lol
A: Well… since you said I can go there… 😉 ha ha Aside from the obvious, I actually keep quite a bit of variety in my fitness regimen. Switching it up not only keeps me entertained, but it keeps my body challenged and always working on something that feels “new.” Boxing and kickboxing have been favorites of mine for a while. I started training in them on SHADOWHUNTERS to use the skills for my on-screen fights, and then carried on in ARROW as my character was a cage fighter. I love how it blends strength and cardio so seamlessly in a way that still feels creative. It is truly a total body workout that will leave you oh so sore in the best way if you are out of practice. I also love this heated spin studio I go to here in Los Angeles. Again, it’s utterly exhausting but also such an exhilarating reset. You sweat so much and work so hard it clears the body, mind, and soul of anything that ails you. When I’m traveling, I do a good amount of HIIT as it can often be done with body weight and minimal equipment from anywhere. I also have taken to running outside – especially when I travel. It’s such a great way to explore a new environment and get lost in nature. Nothing clears my head and energizes my body more than running a trail without knowing where it leads, a good podcast or audiobook in my ears to accompany me on my adventure.