Nikkole Teja in Bathing Suit Says "Stress Less"

Nikkole Teja is unwinding and relaxing in paradise in her swimsuit. The Mexican professional soccer player shows off her fit and fabulous figure in a few of her latest social media posts, enjoying some time by the pool. “Stress less,” she captioned one of the gorgeous Instagram photos. “Little weekend getaway,” she wrote in the other caption. How does the athlete stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Nikkole Teja 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. She Plays Soccer

Clearly, as a professional soccer player, Nikkole’s main form of fitness is soccer. Mercedes Carnethon, MD, told the American Heart Association that soccer is a great workout for many reasons. “It is a game of continuous running and with very little stopping,” said Carnethon, an associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. “It also has anaerobic elements – that high intensity where you’re sprinting and then resting – you’re constantly moving.” Sports researcher Peter Krustrup, who has spent more than 15 years studying the health benefits of soccer, added that recreational-level play and soccer-related exercise drills can help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. Soccer also can help shift body composition by decreasing fat and increasing lean muscle.

2. She Rides Horses

Nikkole also enjoys riding horses. According to the American Heart Association, riding horses is great for your health. Not only does it boost cardiovascular health, but builds core strength, burns calories, and lowers blood pressure. It is also great for your mental health as it helps relax you.

3. She Exercises at the Gym

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Nikkole also spends time working out at the gym, where she does a variety of strength and weight training exercises. Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving. Each week adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and 2 days of muscle strengthening activity, according to the current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

4. She Goes for Runs

Nikkole also goes running, which also helps prepare her for soccer games. According to the Mayo Clinic, running is great for cardiovascular health, muscle building, and weight loss. “For every mile run, the average person will burn approximately 100 calories,” they say.

5. She Walks Her Dog

Nikkole also has a workout buddy – her dog. The two go for daily walks together. Going for a daily walk can be a game changer in terms of exercise, especially at a brisk speed. One study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that walking at a brisk pace for about 30 minutes a day led to a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, dementia and death, compared with walking a similar number of steps but at a slower pace.