Indian model Divita Rai may not have won Miss Universe 2022, but she’s getting plenty of kudos either way. The 25-year-old architect looked stunning in a social media post posted by the Miss Diva organization, wearing a bright pink swimsuit as she walked on stage. “If @divitarai’s swimsuit performance wasn’t a total slayage 🔥 then we don’t know what was! 😍,” read the caption. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Rai 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 Loves Sports
Rai grew up playing team sports. “When I exercise, I really feel recharged and refreshed to take on each day,” she says. “When I was younger and because I was tall, I was pushed into basketball. I really enjoyed it. After basketball, I also took up badminton and swimming. Sports really inculcates values of consistency, discipline and team spirit, and I think every child should experience sports early in their life."
2. No Restrictive Diets
Rai refuses to restrict her food. “Honestly, I cannot do diets! The more you restrict yourself, the more you aren’t able to perform your best,” she says. “You end up craving something more. It is important to exercise regularly, to eat healthy and to not put that unnecessary pressure on your body. Don’t restrict yourself. If you want to have a chocolate, have it! It’s okay. Don’t push yourself unnecessarily. Enjoy life… Food is there to nourish you and you must exercise to feel fresh. Being mentally fit is also important. If you’re mentally fit, everything else is a by-product of that!”
3. PCOS Symptoms
Rai prioritizes health and fitness to help prevent PCOS symptoms from flaring. "I have to exercise and have a healthy diet, to curb my PCOS from aggravating,” she says. “It’s a challenge for every woman – her body type is different and her needs are different at every phase of life, So, we’ve got to first respect ourselves and believe that it’s okay to go through these things.”
4. She Loves Tea
Rai starts the day with a delicious cup of Indian chai. “There are several ingredients in chai tea that may help eliminate pain associated with arthritis and other inflammatory-causing disease, specifically clove, ginger and cinnamon,” says Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN. “Studies show that whole clove, crushed clove or clove oil can help reduce inflammation, as can cinnamon and ginger.”
5. Early Morning Workouts
Rai loves working out in the morning, the earlier, the better. “Morning workouts help reduce the possibility for obstacles to present themselves,” says Jasmin Theard, ACSM HFS, exercise physiologist at Piedmont Atlanta Fitness Center. “There is also less opportunity to make excuses.”
