HGTV Star Jillian Harris Shares Swimsuit Video “In Summer Mode”

1. Holistic Workouts

Harris works out to look after her health, looks, and stress levels. “When it comes to working out, I’m probably lucky because I move around a lot and I’m hyper,” she says. “So my body metabolizes fat really quickly. But when I go to the gym, I do circuit training. When I work out, my skin looks better, my stress levels are down, and I feel better about myself. I think yoga is great, but I like cardio. I like to bust a move on the treadmill.”

2. No Crazy Diets

Harris refuses to restrict her diet for the purposes of looks—instead, she focuses on health and energy. “As women, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be married, to be fit and be pretty, and it feels like it’s never good enough,” she says. “So for me when it comes to diet, I don’t deny myself anything. If I want a burger, I have a burger. But in the back of my mind, I know I want to be healthy and a fun mom in my 40s and around for my grandchildren. [My motto is] everything is good in moderation. The only thing I’m extreme about is my job at Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. So don’t starve yourself; just nourish yourself.”

3. Locally-Sourced Food and Meat

Harris makes an effort to choose ethically sound meat and dairy whenever possible. “I’ve been eating a combination of plant-based, SOME local/certified ethically raised meat (which you can find at smaller health food stores & local butchers, just ask a lot of questions about the meat!), and grass fed local dairy,” she says. “I’m not telling you or suggesting to you what YOU should and shouldn’t do … but I’ve found I’ve learned SO much about the food industry lately and always encourage my readers to do their own research, learn for yourself, be aware of what you’re putting into your body, do what’s best for you, and do what makes YOU feel good! I am obviously concerned about what I am putting in my body but as you know, lately there is a growing concern about how my food is grown, raised & treated!”

4. Destressing With Loved Ones

Harris likes to wind down with friends and family as part of her mental healthcare routine. “I like to be around my friends and family,” she says. “This year has been so great already and I don’t get stressed out by too much lately. I’ve had such a crazy two years and I’ve learned you never know what’s going to happen. But life sorts itself out. You have to leave it in the hands of whatever [you believe in]. I’ve taken a lot of pressure off myself and just want to have fun. And I try to touch other people’s lives the way I’ve been touched on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

5. The Joy of Walking

Harris struggled with exercise during her pregnancies, but learned to love just taking simple walks. “I feel like ever since I had Leo I’ve struggled to jump back on the ‘working out train’. I really wanted to be able to spend as much time with Leo as possible and really ‘soak it all in’ when it came to life as a new mama,” she says. “Once Leo got a little bit older I found it difficult to accommodate the gym class times with our family routine! Now that the snow has melted and the sun is out, and now that Leo is RUNNING around we love our walks even MORE!! And, now that I’m pregnant with baby number two and I’m kind of at this awkward stage in my pregnancy, I feel like going for walks is honestly the best form of exercise for ME! Even if it’s just for 15 minutes!”