Alessandra Ambrosio in Bathing Suit Has "Vacation Mode On"

Alessandra Ambrosio is one of the most instantly-recognizable models on the planet—the former Victoria's Secret star is 41 years old and in the best shape of her life. Ambrosio posted a snap of herself on Instagram, looking incredible in a tiny white bikini. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 7 ways Ambrosio 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!

Ambrosio's daily diet depends on her schedule, but she keeps it very healthy either way. "It all depends on the day and if I am working on set or working from home," Ambrosio told Harper's Bazaar. "For breakfast I usually have eggs and/or avocado toast and after my work-out I usually grab a green juice followed by lunch where I usually have a salad along with some chicken or fish. For dinner I might go for sushi, or grill Brazilian BBQ at home. I also have some nuts or a protein bar in my bag all the times in case I get hungry while I'm running around."

Ambrosio mixes up her workouts, spending time in gym or in the sunshine with friends. "I would say an hour to an hour and a half a day. It all depends on what I'm doing that day. If I'm going on a hike or playing volleyball with my friends it might be longer but I don't usually spend more than hour and a half in the gym."

"I make sure that I eat properly, stay hydrated and drink a lot of green tea," Ambrosio says. "Green tea is exceptionally high in flavonoids that can help boost your heart health by lowering bad cholesterol and reducing blood clotting," says Penn Medicine. "Studies show this type of tea can also help lower blood pressure, triglycerides and total cholesterol. Other research has found that green tea has a possible impact on liver, breast, prostate and colorectal cancers. This tea variety has also shown to be anti-inflammatory, which helps keep your skin clear and glowing."

Ambrosio loves incorporating Tracy Anderson Method classes to keep things interesting. "I love to do different classes and lately I have been doing Tracy Anderson Method because it's fun and it feels more like a dance class than a work-out. But, at the same time, it's great exercise as it targets all muscle groups." "Dancing is accessible to everybody," says Lauren Elson, MD. "People who can't stand can use the rest of their body while seated, people who have lost movement in their arms can dance with their torso and legs. It's a way to connect to your own body, to music, and to other people. It just depends on whatever your goals are. But we know that there are so many benefits of dancing — cognitive, physical, and social — that it merits consideration by everybody."

"I have never been a fan of running, but lately I've been doing it and also have figured out different ways to incorporate cardio in my everyday routine," says Ambrosio. "Instead of running indoors I go for a run in my neighborhood, take a hike with friends or play volleyball at the beach." "Exercise has a dramatic antidepressive effect," says David J. Linden, PhD. "It blunts the brain's response to physical and emotional stress. Voluntary exercise is the single best thing one can do to slow the cognitive decline that accompanies normal aging."

Ambrosio refuses to eliminate entire food groups, instead having a more sensible approach to her health. "I'm all about moderation and eating something different every day," Ambrosio says.  "Obviously I try not to splurge on pasta, but if I'm back in Brazil where everything is pasta- or bread-based — and so yummy — I'll eat whatever I want, then go back to lots of salads and chicken or fish with veg as soon as I'm back in LA."

"Whenever I start to diet, everything goes downhill," Ambrosio says. "So if I want a little bite of dark chocolate on a plane or a cocktail with friends on the weekend, I'll have it. In fact, I'll drink a glass of red wine with dinner most nights, and two or three times a week I'll have a cup of tea and a cupcake with [my daughter] Anja." "Red wine and dark chocolate have been thought to be good for the heart because they are rich in protective antioxidants," says Vivek Kesara, MD. "For example, certain antioxidants have been shown to lower the risk for heart disease by increasing the levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL, known as 'good' cholesterol) in the blood and defending the arteries against damage."