Indian actress Ameesha Patel is 46 and thriving, thanks to her uncompromising attitude and work ethic. The Bollywood star is on a trip to Bahrain, sharing photos and videos of herself wearing a stunning green bikini. “Bahrain Diaries,” she captioned one of the posts. So how does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Patel 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 Practices Gratitude and Positivity
Bollywood can be a cutthroat industry—but Patel plays by her own rules. "I have always been a very positive person. My honesty and my positivity make me different from others. I don't come from a film background and it is altogether a new world for an outsider," Patel says. "Unlike other stars, I am not a part of dirty games or politics. I have always been out of politics. I don't date the heroes to get films. I have survived so far on my own. Politics is everywhere - whether it is films, ad agency, families or anything else. But I have chosen to keep myself away from all these things.”
2. She Lifts Weights
Patel has regular strength training sessions at her local gym, crediting the exercises with giving her incredible triceps. “Such exercises also improve glucose metabolism, enhance maintenance of healthy body weight, and help improve cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure,” says I-Min Lee, professor of epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “All these factors lead to lower risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, which lowers mortality risk.”
3. She Loves Thai Food
Patel enjoys Thai food, especially dishes containing delicious coconut. “Coconuts contain significant amounts of fat, but unlike other nuts, they provide fat that is mostly in the form of medium-chain saturated fatty acids (MCFAs) – in particular, one called lauric acid,” says registered nutritionist Jo Lewin. “What this means is that the fatty acids in coconut oil are made up of a chain of six to 12 carbon atoms, as opposed to the more than 12 found in long-chain fatty acids. This difference in structure has all sorts of implications, from how the fat in coconut milk is digested to how it may influence your body.”
4. She Drinks Tea
Patel loves to drink tea throughout the day. “A number of studies have shown that certain teas, such as green tea, can boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, promote cardiovascular health, and even prevent the development of certain cancers,” says Harvard Health. “These health benefits are associated with specific antioxidants found in tea, known as polyphenols.”
5. She Loves Italian Food
Patel is a big fan of traditional Italian food. “Research into the traditional Mediterranean diet has shown it may reduce our risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are all risk factors for heart disease,” says registered nutritionist Victoria Taylor. “Researchers have also found that people who closely follow a Mediterranean diet may live a longer life and be less likely to put on weight.”
