Nina Dobrev in Bathing Suit Shows "Before and After”

Nina Dobrev, star of The Vampire Diaries and Love Hard, is still enjoying her time away with snowboarder Shaun White, who is enjoying his retirement. “Ever wonder what Clay Aiken’s up to? I think about him all the time…” she asked in one Instagram post, as she’s wearing a white bathing suit and covered in white clay at a spa, the Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection, in Costa Rica. In another set of images from the same treatment, Dobrev shared her “Before” and “After” looks. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 6 ways Nina Dobrev 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 Did a Clay Cleanse

Clay and mud treatments can have multiple benefits. “Mud baths have been around since ancient times," David Harvey, M.D., a dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon at Piedmont, says. "Some people believe mud baths have spiritual properties. They are also thought to relieve stress, joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis and certain skin ailments. Some people use mud baths simply to unwind and relax."

2. She Pays Attention To Her Portions

Nina Dobrev/Instagram

"I used to eat three full meals, and then I would not be able to move after each meal. I would be so full and tired," she told Shape. "Now, I eat all the time, but portion control is what's important for me. I'm eating more in total, but not more at a time. I aim to have the size of my thumb in fat, the size of my palm in protein, and then unlimited veggies. I wish I'd learned this in school."

3. She Does Glute Bridges With Tricep Extensions

Nina Dobrev/Instagram

Celebrity trainer, Harley Pasternaak, posted this video on Instagram of herself working out at the gym. In the video, Dobrev is seen doing a glute bridge raise with a tricep extension. Pasternaak captioned the video, “One of my favorite Canadians @nina doing my absolute all-time favorite exercise. Butt and arms. What more do you need?”

4. She Eats Until She’s Full

Dobrev says to Women’s Health that she doesn’t undereat or starve herself. In fact, she does the exact opposite, and eats until she’s full. Dobrev says that this approach has helped her feel better. “You’re happier when your body is full. Your brain functions better, and you’re a nicer person. I would get hangry, I think, because I was so busy running around that I wasn’t the best version of myself.”

5. She Starts Her Day With A Shake

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

Dobrev broke down some of her favorite healthy meals to Harper’s Bazaar. She revealed that she likes to start her day by making a healthy shake. Dobrev also revealed her favorite recipe, saying, "I make the same shake for breakfast every single morning. Sunwarrior protein powder, the chocolate flavor, half a banana, coconut peanut butter that I have shipped in from Hawaii, almond milk, spinach, kale, and cinnamon.”

6. She Loves To Cook New Recipes With Her Friends

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Dobrev says that her friends are a big part of her wellness routine. She says that she and her friends love to get together and cook new recipes. "When I have a night off, I like to stay home and watch movies and cook with my girlfriends," she tells Harper's Bazaar. "We'll grab one of the cookbooks off my counter and open a random page and do our best to make the recipe, while destroying the kitchen in the process.”