モデルとして、女性誌を中心に活躍する千国めぐみさん。趣味の一つであるランニングを始めたのは、２年ほど前。「もともとは、年齢とともに身体の歪みが気になってきていたので、体型維持として始めたんです。やっぱり筋肉がないと、バランスが悪くなるし歪みの原因にもなってしまって。整体に行っても、元に戻るのが早くなったり、すぐにバランスが崩れちゃったりとか。でも、ジムに通うようになって、筋トレとランニングを始めたら脚の形も変わったし、お尻も上がったんです。体型が変わったって、スタイリストさんに誉められたほど。代謝があがったから、むくみも緩和されたし、いろいろと身体にいいことがたくさん起こりました」。それ以来、忙しくてもなるべく時間を割いてジムには週２〜３回通っているそう。「実は、筋肉を痛めつけることが好きなんです（笑）。それが、なかなか快感なんですよね。だからランニングも、辛さを通り越して気持ちがよくなるところまで走っています」。
最近では、ランニング以外でもさまざまなスポーツにハマっている千国さん。「走る以外には、同じく週に２〜３回ローラーブレードで犬のお散歩をしています。運動は意外と好きで、他にもバブルサッカーとサバイバルゲームを定期的に友達と開催しているんです。ストレス発散にもなるし、一石二鳥ですね」。
ランニングや筋トレ、はたまたローラーブレードなど、どの運動も自分が好きだから続けられているという。美しさを保つためには、何よりも無理をしないことが大切なのかもしれない。
写真／石渡朋 文章／戸塚真琴
千国めぐみ
●ちくに・めぐみ
ファッションモデル。大学入学式で受けたファッション誌編集者のスカウトをきっかけに芸能界入り。「Pinky」（集英社）、「CanCam」（小学館）を経て、現在は「mina」（主婦の友社）、「with」（講談社）でレギュラーを務めている。美容、特にスキンケアの知識や情報にとても精通し、2013年には「美容薬学検定１級」も取得。
【関連記事】
（「からだにいい100のこと。」より転載）
10 Energizing Yoga Poses
Half Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskara)(01 of10)
Sun Salutation sequences are traditionally performed as a way to awaken the body. \"This is great to do upon rising, even before you have had your first cup of coffee,\" Bielkus says. \n\nTo perform the sequence, stand up straight in Mountain Pose (Tadasana) with the feet together and arms at the side of the body with open palms. Sweep the arms up and extend them over the head on the inhale, then exhale and bow forward into a forward bend. On the inhale, lift the torso halfway up, place your hands at your shins and extend the spine. Fold forward again on the exhale. When you inhale, sweep back up and bring the palms together into prayer. Repeat this sequence three or four times. \n\nClick here for a video tutorial. (credit:Getty Images)
Camel Pose (Ustrasana)(02 of10)
The gentle heart-opening stretch of the camel pose -- performed either with the hands on the lower back or reaching down to touch the heels -- can be highly invigorating for the entire body. \n\n\"Camel is great because it\'s a total front-body opener,\" Bielkus says. \"You have the front of the legs moving forward. ... The core is stretching and the torso is lengthening up. The chest is really opening and expanding so that the lungs can expand full of breath.\" (credit:Getty Images)
Warrior II Pose (Virabhadrasana II)(03 of10)
\"This pose combines both leg strengthening and mild back bending, bringing energy into the body,\" Bielkus says. \"Just like the name suggests, this pose awakens the warrior within -- power and strength, but with ease.\"\n\nClick here for basic Warrior II instructions, and try adding what Bielkus calls the \"breath of fire\" for an extra energy boost. \n\n\"A great way to rev up this posture is to add in breath of fire -- rapid belly breath, focusing on the exhalation,\" Bielkus says. \"To start, take a deep breath in and then pump the navel in as you exhale. The inhale will take care of itself.\" (credit:Getty Images)
Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana) (04 of10)
After Warrior II, try going into a restorative Triangle Pose. Straighten the front knee and extend the arm forward and then down to the shin, the floor next to the leg, or a block. Reach the other arm up and turn to face the sky, breathing deeply for five breaths, Bielkus advises. Then, repeat on the other side. \n\n\"This pose is about fully expanding not contracting,\" Bielkus says. \"Focus less about stretching and more about expanding and bringing breath and energy to every cell, every skin pore, every fiber of your being.\" (credit:Getty Images)
Side Plank (Vasisthasana)(05 of10)
For the whole body-strengthening Side Plank, start in a plank pose. Turn to the right side, stacking the feet on top of each other, and lifting the left hand. Breath deeply for five breaths before repeating on the other side. If you\'re looking to modify the pose, Bielkus suggests bringing either the bottom knee or the forearm down to the ground. \n\n\"Yoga brings our mind to a oneness and a focused attention,\" Bielkus says, regarding the balancing poses. \"The more that we\'re coming into a mental clarity or focus, the less energy we\'re expending on that stress. The cortisol levels can drop and then we feel a little more energized.\" (credit:Getty Images)
Chair Pose (Utkatasana)(06 of10)
The dynamic Chair Pose is performed by standing with the feet together or hip-width apart, and bending the lower body down as if you were sitting on a chair. Raise the arms to the ears and raise the chest up to complete the pose. \n\n\"This pose is literally translates from Sanskrit as \'powerful\' pose,\" says Bielkus. \"Sometimes in class, I refer to it as lighting bolt pose because [of] the amount of energy it creates in the body by using the big muscles of the legs and glutes while also creating a slight backbend, which awakens the spine.\" (credit:Getty Images)
Half-Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) (07 of10)
In addition to warding off stress and anxiety, the Half Moon Pose can be therapeutic for fatigue, according to Yoga Journal. In a forward fold, bring the right hand about 10 inches in front of you and slightly to the right, extending the left leg up while the hips and torso open. Extend the left arm up and hold the pose for five breaths before repeating on the other side. \n\n\"Any balancing poses are great for finding that inner balance,\" Bielkus says. (credit:Getty Images)
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)(08 of10)
\"Back bends are all about unlocking the energy of the spine and nervous system,\" Bielkus says. \n\nLying on your back, bend the knees and place your feet flat on the floor with arms by your sides. Lift the hips up high and interlace the hands together or leave the arms at the sides of the body. Breathe deeply for five breaths and repeat several times. (credit:Shutterstock)
Locust Pose (Salabhasana)(09 of10)
For this strengthening pose, lie on your belly with arms by your side and palms down. Then, gently lift the arms, legs, chest and head off the floor and breathe deeply for five breaths, trying to lift up higher with each breath. Repeat three or four times, being careful not to strain the neck. For more of a challenge, extend the arms in front of you, as pictured at left. \n\n\"You\'re really stimulating the upper, middle and lower back, and the muscles of the hamstrings are engaging\" Bielkus says. \"You\'re using so many muscles in the body to lift yourself off the earth. The neurons are firing to make that all happen.\" (credit:Getty Images)
Right Nostril Breathing (Surya Bhedana)(10 of10)
This energizing pranayama (breathing exercise) offers a counterpoint to the calming left nostril breath. To perform the exercise, sit upright in a chair or on the floor in a comfortable cross-legged position, blocking the left nostril with the thumb and extending the fingers. Breathe long and deep, in and out of the right nostril for around five minutes, Bielkus advises. \n\n\"The right nostril is associated with the energy of the sun,\" Bielkus says. \"This breath is stimulating, invigorating and awakening.\" (credit:Getty Images)