Olivia Cooke has her work cut out for her in HBO’s new Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon, in which she plays a key role as Alicent Hightower, betrothed of the king. The English actor, 28, had to learn high Valyrian for the part — the fictional language of the show’s dragon lords — and how to play against the nonexistent CG dragons of the show, which are added in post-production. It’s a good thing Cooke is game and healthy. She looked superfit in a new swimsuit photo. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see five ways Olivia Cooke 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 Remains Active
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Cooke works out, then takes rest days. But her rest days don’t mean sitting on the couch: She does light activity, such as playing sports, going for a walk or hiking. “To get the cognitive benefits of exercise, it’s important to get the heart rate up,” says Brandi Brian, a physical therapist at Mayo Clinic and certified neurologic clinical specialist, to the Mayo Clinic. “Getting the heart rate up for as little as four minutes will have short-term benefits that can kind of help in the moment. Then longer term, improving physical fitness through aerobic activity will have longer-term implications on cognition.”
2. She Practices Yoga
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Cooke practices yoga for its mental and physical health benefits. “The purpose of yoga is to build strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body,” said Natalie Nevins, a board-certified osteopathic family physician and certified Kundalini yoga instructor in California.
3. She Eats High-Protein Food
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Cooke eats a high-protein diet that includes boneless, skinless chicken or fresh fish. She also adds vegetables for well-rounded meals. "While a key goal should be getting more veggies and other quality plant-based foods in your diet, this step towards reducing red meat is pretty straightforward: incorporate a reasonable amount of poultry (like chicken and turkey) and a variety of seafood (from fish to mollusks)," advises Harvard Health.
4. She Follows a Low-Carb Diet
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Cooke also eats low-carb food. Carbs can affect blood sugar, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Eating a lot can raise blood sugar levels, which puts you at risk for diabetes. But eating too few carbs can have the opposite effect, raising the risk of hypoglycemia, which is bad for your health.
5. She Stays Hydrated
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Cooke drinks water throughout the day. Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health and is great for the skin. "Water helps to restore fluids lost through metabolism, breathing, sweating, and the removal of waste. It helps to keep you from overheating, lubricates the joints and tissues, maintains healthy skin, and is necessary for proper digestion. It’s the perfect zero-calorie beverage for quenching thirst and rehydrating your body," says Harvard Health.
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