Jessica Alba Shares Rare Swimsuit Photo With "Pool Day Vibes"

Jessica Alba is taking advantage of the summer heatwave sweeping Southern California by getting into a swimsuit and enjoying a fun-filled pool day. Alba, 42, shared rare pictures of herself soaking up the sun in a black bikini, lounging by the pool and snacking on shrimp salad in the beautiful fresh air. “Pool day vibes,” she captioned the post. “Looking good!” a fan commented. So how does she do it? Here are 10 ways Alba stays toned, healthy, beautiful, and strong.

1. Eggs and Protein Shakes

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Alba starts her mornings with plenty of protein to fuel the day. “I love avocado toast and poached eggs. That’s my favorite breakfast. I like to make a protein shake,” she says. “And I make sure there’s plenty of fat in there with almond butter. Then I’ll use Zico coconut water. Depending on whether or not I want a chocolate one or plain one, sometimes I’ll put fruit in it. The kids love it! I like to get them shakes so I can get some protein in them. Chocolate, coconut, almond butter shakes with banana butter!”

2. Working Out With Friends

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Alba loves working out with friends and family. “I really like taking group classes, or I like to work out with friends,” she says. “I like high-intensity workouts; I like moving around a lot. I don’t like a lot of repetition. I like Spin classes, depending on the teacher and the playlist. I do like hot yoga classes, if it’s done at a good pace. I prefer it mixed in with light weights, so like a sculpting hot yoga class. I’ll always work out with a friend because it’s more fun.”

3. Holistic Health Benefits

Alba appreciates both the mental and physical benefits of regular exercise. “For me, the benefits of exercise are more mental than physical,” she says. “Working out takes away that little edge so that I feel happier and more productive, and my brain can get kick-started… As I’ve gotten older and after I became a mom, it became more of a priority to be healthy for the right reasons. It’s more important to have a balanced approach instead of trying to be perfect.”

4. Fat-Burning Diet

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Alba adapts a stricter diet when she’s trying to lose fat. “With exercise, I get a little more toned and I definitely feel stronger, but my diet is much more important if I’m trying to slim down,” she says. “In that case, I usually don’t eat gluten, dairy, fried foods or processed foods. I try to stick to a diet that’s low in sugar and carbs, and high in lean proteins and vegetables.”

5. Loving Her Body

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Alba embraces everything her body provides for her, and has learned to appreciate her curves. “I love my shape because it does what I want it to,” she says. “If I want to go on a hike or a bike ride or go for a swim, I know my body will do everything I tell it to. I also appreciate that I can push myself through when I’m feeling tired. There’s always a little extra something to get me past the tired moments.”

6. Good Sleep

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Alba swears by sleep for health and beauty. "Obviously having great beauty products and sleeping really helps,” she says. “But you do have to, I think, practice those holistic things that make you healthy, otherwise it doesn't really matter what kind of cream or makeup you have."

7. She’s a Sun-Worshipper

Alba loves spending time outdoors in the sunshine. “I know the sun is not good for the skin,” she says. “I know, but I just love it! I just love being out in nature. I love taking hikes. I love all the beaches… I will wear a hat and I will absolutely wear sunscreen, but I don’t stay out of the sun… Growing up in entertainment, there’s so much emphasis on appearance and trying to fit some mold that feels on trend… of what you should look like or not look like or what is beautiful. And I really feel like the more I worked on myself and I felt confident in my own skin, that’s when I felt the most beautiful.’

8. Simple Beauty Routine

Alba does what she calls a 10-minute face when she’s enjoying down-time at home with her family. “Around the house, I do a 10-minute face,” she says. “It just makes me feel better looking at my reflection. That’s kind of my jam — just something quick and easy. If I’m going to really try, I’ll do my hair. But usually I just let it air-dry. I’m using the new Honest Beauty tinted moisturizer that has protection from the blue light of screens and devices. Then a blush, mascara, and a lip balm.”

9. Confidence In Herself

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Alba loves that she now has control over her image. "After I had my kids and started Honest, I think I sort of fell into the groove of being comfortable with myself in a different way,” she says. “The entertainment industry is a very difficult place to have a strong sense of confidence. Before the internet, magazine editors and journalists had control over how people saw me. However someone wanted to sell me to their audience is how I was portrayed. It wasn't until social media that I felt empowered to take control of my own narrative and my own image. I get to be my own megaphone—everything feels connected. Before, I think I just felt really disconnected from my own image."

10. Alba’s Beauty Tips

Alba’s beauty and wellness tips are all about hydration and good food. “I think staying hydrated is really important,” she says. “So, just making sure you do stay hydrated for glowing skin and high energy. It’s important for overall health. And I think making sure that you make the right choices in terms of your environment. Always try to have as many fresh and natural things in your diet as possible and the least amount of processed things and things that have unnatural sugars.”