Lara Spencer is wishing her husband, Richard McVey, a happy Valentine’s Day – in her swimsuit! The Good Morning America co-anchor honored her love with an adorable Instagram post. “Happy Valentine’s Day to the sunshine of my life,” she captioned the series of snaps. In most of them, the 52-year-old showed off her fabulous figure in a variety of swimsuits. How does she maintain her fit figure? Read on to see 6 ways Lara Spencer 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. Moderation Is Key
"I eat what I want, in moderation,” Lara explained to Parade about how she approaches her diet. “I gravitate toward fresh veggies and clean foods, thankfully, but I am also a sucker for a cupcake every once in a while. I make sure to eat lots of kale, broccoli, blueberries, strawberries and spinach. We do enough stories on superfoods on GMA. I know what I should be eating, and I really try to stick with that.”
2. Swim!
Lara Spencer/Instagram
One of Lara’s favorite workouts involves slipping on her swimsuit. "I enjoy swimming laps—it's a great workout and also allows me to get into a meditative state so it's very relaxing. I love the quiet and the rhythm of swimming. I do it quite a bit in the summer, but not very much in the winter," she told Parade.
3. Strike a (Yoga) Pose
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Lara loves doing yoga year-round. "I turn to yoga, preferably in a warm room, during the cold months. I do yoga year round but find myself craving it more in the fall and winter,” she told Parade. "A number of studies have shown that yoga may help reduce stress and anxiety. Yoga can enhance your mood and overall sense of well-being. Yoga might also help you manage your symptoms of depression and anxiety that are due to difficult situations," says the Mayo Clinic.
4. Paddle Board
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Lara is also “really into” another water sport – paddle boarding. “It's an incredible workout for the arms and core, and a great way to get out on the water," she told Parade. Any kind of cardio is great for you. “The idea of boosting intensity—which can result in greater improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness—is important not only if you're an athlete but also if you're an average, everyday [person] looking to maintain a higher quality of life,” says Martin Gibala, Ph.D., a professor of kinesiology at Canada’s McMaster University. “For a higher health span, not just lifespan. We need to worry about health span, and that's basically optimal physical activity in order to maintain your health.”
5. Play Tennis
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Lara also loves to pick up a racquet. "Last but certainly not least, I play tennis year round,” Lara told Parade. “As a former athlete, I love the competition. I play both singles and doubles and would play every day if I could! I wish I had known about tennis as a kid. Unlike platform diving, it's a sport I can play for the rest of my life.”
6. Fuel Up in the AM
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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for Lara, mostly due to the fact that she gets up so early. She revealed to Shape that she starts her day with cereal and coffee. Since your body is complex factory that’s humming along, you’ve got to compensate your workers to keep them happily working at peak efficiency. That means ensuring a steady supply of food throughout the day—every day. And if you’re eating the right foods—not empty calories or sugary treats—you’ll find that it’s almost impossible to overeat.