Charlie Brooks in Bathing Suit Says "I'm Learning to Love Myself"

British actress Charlie Brooks is using her social media to encourage women to love their bodies, and their curves. The EastEnders star posted a video of herself wearing a red swimsuit as she sits next to a swimming pool, proudly displaying her figure. “Sometimes my weight goes up.. sometimes it goes down.. but I’m LEARNING to love myself unconditionally because I AM A QUEEN. Me and my belly in all it’s beautiful glory. Let’s not go backwards and undo the good work,” she captioned the post. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Brooks 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. Healthy Swaps For Weight Loss

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Brooks was unhappy about her weight, so decided to make serious changes to get in shape. “I started to cut out coffee, bread, potatoes and alcohol, choosing water instead,” she says. “I also made lunch the biggest meal of the day, taking homemade soup, salads and pasta salads into work. In the evenings I ate lots of fish and always filled up on vegetables first. The weight really dropped off. And if I did want a takeaway, I avoided the rice and did an extra half an hour on the treadmill. In time, I actually enjoyed changing my eating patterns. I started jogging around the studio during my breaks, whereas before I’d always had a nap or read a book. I got strange looks from the cast!”

2. Sweating First Thing

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Brooks is a busy woman—so she gets her workouts out of the way first thing. “The longer the day goes on, the less likely it is I am going to exercise,” she says. “So now, Kiki [her daughter] and I both wake-up around 7am. I get up, put on my DVD and start the 45-minute routine before I’ve really had time to notice what I’m doing. I put everything into it, though. If you ain’t sweating, it ain’t working – that’s my motto!”

3. Watermelon and Feta Salad

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Brooks enjoys making delicious salads with watermelon and feta. “Did you know watermelon has more lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable?” says registered dietitian Kristi Wempen. “Lycopene is an antioxidant linked to decreased risk of cancer, heart disease and age-related eye disorders.”

4. She Loves Books

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Brooks refers to herself as a bookworm, and says reading brings her joy. “A good story tends to stick with you, too—and so do the benefits: The health impacts of reading last long after we put down the book, with some research showing reductions in depression symptoms persisting months or even years later in adults,” says Richard Sima, PhD. “And reading can not only help make life more worth living but is associated with living longer: One study found that older adults who regularly read books had a 20 percent reduction in mortality compared to those who did not read.”

5. She Meditates

Brooks incorporates meditation into her wellness regimen. “Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both your emotional well-being and your overall health,” says the Mayo Clinic. “You can also use it to relax and cope with stress by refocusing your attention on something calming. Meditation can help you learn to stay centered and keep inner peace.”