Alex Scott in Bathing Suit Enjoys "Smiles, Sunsets and Good Company"

January is not always the most fun month, with many people embarking on new diet regimens and grueling exercise routines—but Alex Scott is having the time of her life. The professional soccer player and Strictly Come Dancing star posted a cheerful series of pictures of herself on Instagram where she’s enjoying the pool and beach in a patterned bathing suit. “Smiles, sunsets and good company 🙂,” she captioned the post. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Scott 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!

1. She Never Skips Breakfast

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Scott doesn’t start the day without a good breakfast. “I always eat breakfast as it gives me more energy for training,” she says. “My favorite is bagel and jam, with a bowl of fruit.” "Studies have found that although people who skip breakfast eat slightly fewer calories during the day, they tend to have higher body mass index, or BMI," says Christy C. Tangney, PhD, a professor of clinical nutrition at RUSH University and an expert on the effects of diet and nutrition on heart health. “Much of the research just makes good common sense. If you start with a healthy, satisfying meal in the morning you're less apt to nibble on less nutritious things during the day, which we often do out of hunger — you grab the first or easiest thing in front of you."

2. 5K Runs Every Other Day

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Scott says health and fitness has always been important to her. “It’s naturally a huge part of my life and has been for years as a former professional athlete,” she says. “While now my health and fitness regime isn’t scheduled daily as it used to be, it remains crucial in terms of my physical and mental performance. Going for a 5k run every other morning is a new thing for me, I would have never done that before as part of my training but I am loving the little challenge it is giving to try and improve my personal best each time I do it. It gets me in the right frame of mind for the day ahead.”

3. Peloton Workouts

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Scott loves working out on her Peloton. “I also do Peloton classes three to four times a week,” she says. “I would say Peloton was a life-saver for me last year as it allowed me to exercise most days and connect with friends through the bike and fun workouts. Because of my ankle injuries from football, I can’t really pound the streets everyday, so doing the bike workout helps. For me, health and fitness is an essential and it’s something I will always prioritise as it benefits me in every single part of my life.”

4. Fitness For Mental Health

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The mental health benefits of fitness are incredibly important to Scott. “Fitness is a big part of my mental health – simply put, it makes me feel better, it helps get my mind set for a productive day, and it allows my brain to switch off from work,” she says. “It lets my mind be in the present and focus on what I need to do to get through the run or bike class I am doing. I love listening to music or a podcast while I’m running. I’ve always been vocal about the benefits of therapy and that is now a constant part of life for me. Therapy has helped me immensely.”

5. Balanced Diet

Scott is sensible about her diet and leaves room for occasional indulgences. “A typical day will involve a Jason Vale juice for breakfast,” she says. “I don’t juice because I am on a diet or trying to promote anything, it’s just something that works for me and I enjoy them. I think that’s so important to anyone reading this – you have to find what works for you and your lifestyle, there’s no one rule for everyone. I have a homemade soup for lunch and a healthy dinner of chicken or salmon and vegetables. I tend to indulge at weekends though, and when out for dinner with my friends – I love great food and cocktails!”