Indian actress Shama Sikander is thrilled to welcome some warmer weather. Sikander shared a picture of herself posing by the pool in a dark red bathing suit, soaking up the sun. “Hello Summer….😍,” she captioned the post. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Sikander 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. Vegan Diet
Sikander switched to a plant-based diet and is a big fan, so far. “Veganism has brought in a whole lot of changes in me,” she says. “I am just loving this phase. It has cleansed old energies that I had and made me feel much more energetic and healthy now. We truly are what we eat. Also, being a vegan has cut down so many problems that I was having like acidity or bloating. It also helps at times like these when we need to keep our immune system strong and ready to fight any virus. We need to get in touch with nature.”
2. Weights At the Gym
Sikander lifts heavy weights at the gym, and uses smaller ones for her at-home workouts. “To me, resistance training is the most important form of training for overall health and wellness,” says Brad Schoenfeld, an assistant professor of exercise science at New York City’s Lehman College. “We talk about bone resorption, which is a decrease in bone tissue over time. Resistance training counteracts all those bone losses and postural deficits."
3. Hiking
Sikander loves hiking and trekking outdoors. “The experience of hiking is unique, research suggests, conveying benefits beyond what you receive from typical exercise,” says Jill Suttie, PsyD. “Not only does it oxygenate your heart, it helps keep your mind sharper, your body calmer, your creativity more alive, and your relationships happier.”
4. Resistance Bands
Sikander uses resistance bands to give her workouts an edge. “No matter what your fitness level, resistance bands are a great piece of equipment to use,” says exercise physiologist Christopher Travers, MS. “Resistance bands might not look like much, but they can strengthen your muscles as effectively as more traditional weights. In many ways, bands put more tension on your muscles and work them longer during movements.”
5. Running
Sikander loves outdoor running sessions, which are not only great cardio but can strengthen muscles. “One of the tenets of training is that when you do damage to muscle tissue, it’s stronger after repair,” says Arthur Weltman, a professor and chair of kinesiology at the University of Virginia. “Weight-bearing exercises like running promote greater bone mineral density.”