Welcome to Next Gen of Wellness, our spotlight of the nine up-and-coming icons you need to know about *right now*. We’ve partnered with Quest Nutrition—makers of the craveable, high-protein, low net-carb Quest Bar—to showcase these icons’ mindfulness tips, nutrition advice, and routine-simplifying hacks. Below, Instagram guru Remi Ishikuza shares hers.
After scrolling through Remi Ishizuka’s colorfully upbeat Instagram—where she broadcasts daily to nearly 200,000 followers—you’ll want to hit up spin class, grab a matcha, and fill your apartment with plants.
Yep, Ishikuza is a wellness blogger—and a super effective one, at that. In a social media landscape that’s increasingly crowded with smoothie-drinking, leggings-clad women, Ishikuza has managed to stand out with actually useful tips, authentic recommendations, and tongue-in-cheek advice. Case in point: W.T.H.H., her acronym for when she’s running out the door to the gym (that stands for water, towel, hair tie, and headphones, for the uninitiated).
So how did she gain such a devoted following—and how does she actually maintain her health in the midst of all the hustle? Below, she breaks it down.
Read on for her daily five-step wellness checklist (that’s not intimidating) and her productivity tip that will crush your procrastination habit.
How did you get into wellness?
Four years ago, I was working as an office manager at an interior-design firm and going to night school to get my credentials as an interior designer. I did all the billing and paperwork for the projects that my firm was working on and craved an outlet to funnel my creativity.
One day while scrolling through my Instagram feed and seeing all these delicious healthy bowls, I decided I wanted to try and make my own. Up until this point, I knew what I needed to do to eat healthy but never really cared. It wasn’t until I saw it as a lifestyle that something in me changed.
“It wasn’t until I saw [wellness] as a lifestyle that something in me changed.”
I wanted to feel happy, energized, focused, and determined. From that day forward, I made a healthy breakfast every morning that ranged from smoothie bowls to oatmeal to chia pudding. I started feeling the amazing benefits of nourishing my body, and at the same time found a workout routine (Kayla Itsines’ BBG guide) that I loved.
My life did a 180. I quit my job at the interior-design firm, enrolled into Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a health coach, and continued to share my journey on social media.
What’s your personal mission in the wellness space?
My mission is to share my journey—in hopes of inspiring other women to live a more active and colorful lifestyle.
What’s your fitness philosophy?
Find a routine that works for you! Try new things, be flexible, find a workout buddy, and sweat even if it’s just 30 minutes a day. It’s never too late and once you get it done you’ll feel so much more confident. I work out six times a week, and typically do four weight-training days (arms, legs, abs, glutes) at the gym and then cardio at SoulCycle and pilates at Lagree Fitness Studio.
Why do you think people have started prioritizing wellness in the last few years?
I was inspired by beautiful imagery and the “wellness lifestyle” via social media. These days everyone is on their phone scrolling. It’s kind of hard not to get inspired.
What does a typical day look like for you? How do you stay productive?
I like to wake up at 5:30 a.m., get my workout done, shower, have breakfast, and plan the day. I always like to start with the hardest task first. Sometimes, I’ll have meetings, events to go to, different shoots, and projects to complete.
What are the wellness practices you incorporate into your daily life?
Getting six servings of greens everyday, drinking 10 glasses of water, organizing my workspace, practicing self-care through skin-care rituals, and working out every day.
What do you look for in a snack?
Since I stay active, I keep a Cookies & Cream Quest Bar with me at all times. They’re high-protein, low-sugar, and have crunchy cookie chunks that I love.
What are a few of your favorite wellness essentials?
Tata Harper’s skin-care line, my Healthish water bottle with timestamps, comfy sneakers (like the Adidas UltraBOOST), and plants!
What do you think the future holds for wellness as a movement?
More and more brands will promote body positivity, [a focus on] wellness as a whole (not just food or working out), and the continued movement towards female empowerment.
In partnership with Quest Nutrition
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