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Kate Upton Stuns in Purple Lingerie "Feeling Strong"

The model loves to lift weights and has described herself as a “female Popeye.”

Kate Upton is known for being a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, and for starring in films like The Other Woman and The Layover. Upton is also considered one of the most beautiful women in the world. As if to prove it, she just posted a photo of herself on Instagram wearing purple lingerie. "Feeling strong, sexy and comfy in my @yamamayofficial 💙 Happy 20th anniversary! #AuguriYamamay #20YearsofDreams," she captioned the photo. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see seven ways Kate Upton 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 Bikini Photos!

1

She Lifts Weights

In an interview with Shape, Upton revealed that she is a weightlifter. "To me, exercise is about working really hard in the gym to be healthy and feel good and confident about my body. Weight training helps me do that the best." Upton also says that she works with a trainer, who helps motivate her. "Lifting heavy weights leans you out if you do it the correct way. Ben Bruno, my trainer, always makes sure I'm getting it right. When I started training with him, he would say, 'Let's put 500 pounds on the sled,' and I would immediately say, 'I can't do that.' So he started standing on the sled so I couldn't see how much weight was on there. Now my attitude has changed completely, and I'm always pushing myself to do more."

2

She Eats A Protein Heavy Diet

Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty Images

Upton tells Shape that she makes sure to eat healthy, and that she tries to eat a lot of protein in her diet. "I eat a lot of protein like chicken and tons of greens. I'm like a female Popeye: I eat so much spinach that it's insane. I love it with a little bit of cheese drizzled on it–it's one of my favorites." Upton says that her diet is based on her workouts, specifically her weight training and weight lifting. "I always have breakfast because I can't do a hard workout if I don't eat. I usually have eggs and spinach beforehand or an omelet with a bunch of veggies in it and maybe a little feta. If I'm at the gym acting like a badass lifting all those weights, it would be pretty embarrassing if I fainted."

3

She Has Little Snacks Through The Day

Upton isn't afraid to admit that she has a snack each day, and says that this helps with her diet. "I don't like to be starving when I sit down to have a meal, because then I eat too much," the model tells Shape. "​​If I have a little snack and curb my hunger before it gets out of control, I'm able to keep a handle on my diet better. I've gone to the grocery store when I'm starving, and it's not a good idea. I end up buying the entire store."

4

She Doesn't Workout to Lose Weight

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Being a model, Upton had to deal with the pressures of looking a certain way, and being a certain weight. However, Upton says that she doesn't workout to lose weight, and that it is actually better and more effective for her. She tells Shape, "What really helped me deal with the pressure of the fashion industry and having to be a certain weight was taking myself out of that conversation completely. Once I started focusing on being strong and doing weight training, I became the size that I needed to be for modeling. I changed the battle inside my head to be about strength and having balance in my life instead of fitting into a pair of jeans."

5

She Isn't Afraid To Indulge & Believes In Balance

Stefania D'Alessandro/WireImage

Upton loves junk food and indulgences, and she isn't afraid to admit it, or indulge herself. Upton tells Shape that she believes in balancing her diet. "I like to have a little 'bad' every day. Whether it's chocolate, some chips or french fries, or croutons on my salad. Or cheese and bread, which is my absolute favorite if I have to pick one. Having a treat makes you feel like it's worth it."

6

She Lets Her Love of Dessert Motivate Her

Upton is a food lover and a big sweet tooth, and she uses it as a way of motivating her to exercise." "Exercise is me taking care of my body, and I always feel really good about that," she admits to Shape. "But everybody has those moments when they think, I don't want to work out; I'm so tired; don't make me. I never shame myself for that. Instead, it's all about balance. If I want to have a really awesome dinner, I might use that as motivation. I'll tell myself, 'I will have that dessert tonight if I just get my ass to the gym!' Then I end up going and being so grateful that I did."

7

She Circuit Trains

Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Upton's trainer, David Kirsch, says that he does a lot of circuit training with the model. Kirsch describes their workouts to Elle AU. "We do extreme, intense circuit training. We do three or four circuits and change them up a lot. There's lots of core, butt, and thigh shaping and toning. We work with resistance bands, stability balls, do lateral lunges for the inner thighs, and for arms we do boxing. She has her own pair of boxing gloves, and she will beat me up. She loves it! It's a very efficient way to work out and get your cardio in."

Anna Bechtel
Anna Bechtel is a freelance writer currently based in Hamden, CT. Read more
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