Sommer Ray in Bathing Suit is "Soooo Excited"

Sommer Ray is adding swimwear designer to her resume! The fitness model and influencer shared some looks from her new Sommer Ray Collection swimsuit line, modeling the beachwear looks to perfection. "Shot for the new @shopsommerray swim collection yesterday & im soooo excited to show you guys the pieces," she captioned the series of images. How does the 25-year-old keep herself in fabulous physical form? Read on to see 6 of Sommer Ray's top tips for staying in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

Sommer started lifting weights when she was 14 and even competed in professional bodybuilding competitions at 16. According to the star, "it's a whole different world where many girls are on steroids, and I didn't want to do that to my body," she told Cosmopolitan about why she stopped competing. However, she still incorporates bodybuilding into her workout routine, hence her amazing figure. 

Unlike some stars who majorly edit their social media photos, Sommer tries to promote a positive body image by keeping it real. "If there's something not permanent on my face like a zit, I'll smooth it," she told Cosmopolitan. "If I take a photo at a bad angle, I just won't post it. I don't Photoshop my body because it would feel like a false advertisement."

Sommer has a no pain, no gain approach to exercise, working out five times a week for up to 90 minutes. She devotes two days a week to her lower body, which explains why she has such an amazing booty. "If my glutes are sore, I tell myself, 'I probably shouldn't work them today,' " she explained. "I just listen to my body." She also tries to mix up her workouts. "There's not a certain exercise or specific workout that's beneficial," she says. "I switch it up every day and try to make it fun, because as soon as it feels like a job, you don't want to do it."

Ray's diet is extremely protein rich to fuel her workouts and keep her glutes built. She eats 70 grams of protein per day, starting the day with a protein shake and then goes on to eat five more small meals, she told Cosmo. Grilled chicken, veggies and steamed white rice is one of her go-to meals. Other somewhat guilty pleasures include an In-and-Out Burger (without the bun) or turkey from Jersey Mike's. For carbs she opts for starchy veggies and whole grains.

While Sommer follows a strict diet during the week, she allows herself to have some food fun on the weekends. "If I want a slice of pizza, I have a slice of pizza. I want to look good, but I also want to enjoy life," she explained. 

"I don't want to motivate women to look like me — I want them to love themselves the way I do," Ray told Cosmopolitan. "Society puts on pressure to look and be a certain way — you're your best when you are confident in yourself." "There's a principle called self-compassion, marked by expressing gratitude and appreciation for yourself beyond your appearance. One way to practice self-compassion is to talk to yourself the way a good friend would talk to you. It might not be easy today, but it can be a skill you learn over time," says the Mayo Clinic. "Simply start by acknowledging your admirable attributes, like your efforts, your kindness and the valuable role you hold in your family. This will begin to expand your self-identity beyond your appearance, which can help build the right foundation for changing behaviors slowly — and happily."