Jacynthe René in Bathing Suit "Couldn't Wish for a Better Start"

Actress and producer Jacynthe René is celebrating turning 50 in style—she decided to take a dip in icy-cold Maine waters. René shared pictures and video of herself embracing the chilly waters in a two-piece swimsuit. "I couldn't wish better to start my 50: my first swim in the cold sea ☺️🧜 ♀️. For the curious, the water in Maine is 8 degrees 😁," she captioned the post. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways René 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!

René finds chasing after her three children (and wearing them in a baby carrier when they were little) is a great way to stay in shape. "By following them and wearing them, that's how I stay in shape and it also allows me to strengthen my upper body," she says. "I can't take a break to go to work out, so I do squats and lunges when I have the chance."

René starts her day with stretching exercises, and says her focus is on exercise that fits into her lifestyle. "My only goal is to keep in shape and have good muscle tone, to feel good," she says. "I don't put pressure on myself, I do as it comes, to simply feel good. It doesn't have to be heavy, I have to like it and it has to be part of my life."

René loves swimming "until [her] fingers freeze". "Simply keeping yourself afloat activates the core muscles in your back and abdomen," says Leigh de Chaves, a physical therapist and clinical supervisor of rehabilitation services at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. "And you have to move all of your muscles to swim."

René is a fan of aloe vera juice. "Aloe is an unassuming plant," says registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, LD. "It doesn't really look like it's all that special. But it can actually provide a lot of benefits… Anytime that you try something different, let your doctor know."

René follows a vegan diet, saying it's what works for her and gives her energy. Her typical diet is heavy in fruits, vegetables, and smoothies. "I start my days with a hot herbal drink, then a yellow smoothie, made only with yellow fruits," she says. "In the afternoon, it's a green smoothie, then at noon and in the evening, it's salad."