Cassie Lee in Bathing Suit is "Still Me"

Cassie Lee (real name Cassandra McIntosh) is currently expecting her first child—but the professional wrestler has been posting amazing throwback photos, to the delight of her many fans. "Still me 🦈🖤🏄‍♀️", the 29-year-old captioned a stunning shot of herself wearing a tiny black bathing suit. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Lee stays 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!

Lee likes getting outside for her exercise, especially long hikes with husband Shawn Spears. "When you're dressed for success, hiking is a great total-body workout," says Michael Bednarz, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatric surgeon at Piedmont. "It strengthens the large muscles in your body, while stimulating the feel-good chemical hormones of adrenaline and endorphins that boost your mood and energy levels."

Lee lifts weights and practices resistance training, which experts say is crucial for maintaining muscle with age. "As we get older, there are inevitable functional and biological limitations that can cap exercise endurance, maximum strength, and fitness," says NIA scientist Eric Shiroma, ScD. "Some of these limitations can be slowed down through an active lifestyle that includes strength training."

Lee enjoys the occasional carb-fest—especially delicious pasta. "Many women—even athletic women—are still afraid of carbohydrates today the way they were of fat 15 years ago," says Stacy T. Sims, MSC, PHD. "If you're one of them, I'd invite you to ask yourself if cutting out carbs today makes any more sense than cutting out fat did then. When we stopped eating fat, we robbed ourselves of satiety and vital nutrients from whole foods like nuts, nut butter, avocado, and olive oil. When we cut out carbohydrates, we rob ourselves of prebiotic fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory nutrients and phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables, and the energy we need to exercise and recover."

Lee is pregnant with her first child—but wants to make it clear it was not a simple process. "Fertility isn't always an easy journey," she says. "When you see someone announce a pregnancy it's often such a happy moment but what you miss in real time is all the struggle that came before it. Month after month, my heart broke seeing negative after negative. Even the months I was so sure or I had an inkling, but I was proven wrong. I just wanted to share how hard the process can be because it can often be triggering to those trying to conceive. Seeing other peoples Big Fat Positives & although you're a so happy for them, you're dreaming of when you will get yours. Or praying your body will hold onto your baby. Or any of the many other struggles women can face. Pregnancy truly is a miracle. To anyone on their TTC journey I send all my love & positivity ✨💕."

 

Lee enjoys taking time out to focus on comfort cooking and baking. "Baking is an opportunity to clear our heads and de-stress," says Pamela Honsberger, MD, a family doctor and director of physician engagement and leadership development at Kaiser Permanente in Orange County, California. "When you focus your attention on an activity like baking, you're more present in the moment and less focused on stressors of the past or future."