Mercedes Villador in Bathing Suit is "Hermosa" 

For Argentine model Mercedes Villador, every season is swimsuit season. The girlfriend of singer Luis Miguel posted a picture of herself posing against a vibrant green lawn, wearing a red bikini and a big smile. "Hermosa!" more than one commenter said in response to the beautiful shot. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Villador 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!

Villador loves to get out in the fresh air on a kayak. Kayaking is a great cardio workout, with all the benefits of being out in the open air.  "Nature has all kinds of unseen elements that are affecting us," says Eva Selhub, MD, a resiliency expert and a co-author of the book Your Brain on Nature. "As we breathe in the negative ions at the seaside from the saltwater, they go directly to our brain and counteract the positive ions that come from computers and are causing fatigue."

Villador is an avid hiker, and the more gorgeous the scenery, the better. "There's no reason to really limit what you identify as hiking," says sports medicine physician Matthew Kampert, DO, MS. "I think anytime somebody gets out in nature and they're moving from point A to point B and they're getting their heart rate up, you can consider that a hike."

Villador incorporates meditation into her health regimen, and takes a few moments to herself no matter where she is. "Don't let the thought of meditating the 'right' way add to your stress," says the Mayo Clinic. "If you choose to, you can attend special meditation centers or group classes led by trained instructors. But you can also practice meditation easily on your own. Or you may find apps to use, too."

Villador loves traditional foods such as zacahuil, a giant tamale filled with meat, peppers, and corn. "Corn has many health benefits. It consists primarily of insoluble fiber, which makes it a low-glycemic index food," says Caitlin Terpstra, RD. This means it is a food that is digested slowly and doesn't cause an unhealthy spike in blood sugar. It also contains many B vitamins, as well as essential minerals, including zinc, magnesium, copper, iron and manganese. Since corn is considered a starchy vegetable, people with diabetes need to keep in mind that a half cup of corn, or a small ear of corn, contains 15 grams of carbohydrate and counts as one carbohydrate food choice."

 

Villador enjoys the many benefits of world travel. "Traveling provides our minds with time to relax and heal, easing worries and anxiety and improving mood," says Dr. Kristin McKitish, a physician at Evolved Science in New York City. "These benefits are not only seen during travel, but for sometime thereafter, which can lead to an improvement in focus, productivity, and mental health upon returning."