Herlene Budol in Bathing Suit Says "Appreciate What You Have"

Herlene Budol is grateful for her gorgeous body! The Filipino model shows off her famously fit figure in one of her latest social media posts, posing in a maroon swimsuit while enjoying some poolside time. “Let's look around and we must learn to appreciate what you have - before time appreciates you for what you have,” she captioned the Instagram post shared with her followers. How does the “Hippon Girl” maintain her beautiful physique? Read on to see 5 ways Herlene Budol 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 Focuses on Portion Control

How does Herlene keep her diet under control? She focuses on eating smaller portions "It's hard because we're used to eating a lot,” the beauty queen revealed to Pep.Ph. "So now, it's really under control, I'm really becoming a healthy-living life.”

2. She Stopped Eating So Much Rice

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Rice is very popular in Asian cuisine. However, according to Herlene the starchy carb isn’t a great option for anyone who is trying to lose weight. "So it turns out that eating a lot of rice is not very healthy,” she told Pep.Ph. In fact, it was her diabetic mom who first taught her that nutrition lesson. "So shout-out to my mom, cut back on rice!"

3. She Exercises

Herlene also keeps her body fit and healthy with regular exercise – and not just to stay thin but to promote overall health. “I have to maintain myself,” she told Pep.Ph. “It's not because you're thin or chubby, you're healthy. So you still have to work hard.”

4. She Also Hydrates and Gets Enough Sleep

In addition to “proper diet” and “proper exercise,” Herlene also prioritizes rest and hydration, noting that “proper sleep and plenty of water” are key components to health. How much water should you drink? According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine men should drink about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day and women about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids.

5. She Eats More Vegetables and Less Meat

While Herlene doesn’t maintain a plant-based diet, she does have a rule when it comes to her meals. "I always eat more on vegetables and less meat," she told GMA Network. "There are many types of plant-based diets, but they all emphasize certain foods associated with heart benefits, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and healthy oils like olive oil. The diets that have been most studied for their impact on heart health include the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and the MIND diet. These diets are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that help lower blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol, reduce the risk of diabetes, and help maintain a healthy weight, all of which can lower your risk of heart disease," says Harvard Health.