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With one of the best bodies in the business, you would be forgiven for thinking Blake Lively follows a strict eating and exercise regime. However, the star has been open about how a fast metabolism is responsible for her trim figure and that she doesn’t deny herself a daily indulgence. That being said, when it came to getting her body back after having daughter James, a lot of hard work was involved. Here’s everything we know about how Lively stays in such great shape.

She doesn’t deprive herself of something sweet

In 2014, Lively told French Vogue, “I can’t start the day without a hot chocolate, or finish it without a few squares of dark chocolate. It’s good for my mood!” The actress isn’t shy about her love of food and revealed to Marie Claire, “If you went to my house and didn’t know who it belonged to, you would not think it belonged to an actress,” referring to her well-stocked food cupboards.

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She credits her youth and metabolism

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The actress is aware of how lucky she is to be able to stay in such great shape and told Marie Claire that her age and “good metabolism” were responsible. “I could lie and put it down to dog walking, but you would be well within your rights to call my bluff: my dog weighs three pounds. I take six steps and she’s done for. In a few more years, I’ll need to have a new secret, as in an incredibly strict diet regime.”

She stepped it up after her pregnancy

While she is more relaxed than many Hollywood stars are when it comes to her diet, Lively did have to make some changes after having her first child. Slipping into a bikini for a film role just months after giving birth, the actress had to step up her exercise regime considerably. Lively’s trainer, Don Saladino, revealed to People that she increased her workouts from once or twice to five or six times a week.

“We would do an upper-body workout Monday, lower body Tuesday. Wednesday was a playful pool workout where she would do laps. Thursday was upper body, Friday lower body and Saturday we were focusing on the accessory movers: the arms, the shoulders.”

The actress then ate four small meals a day, made up of “a protein, a vegetable and a slow-burning carb”.

Saladino opened up to Australian Vogue about his weight-loss secrets and emphasised the importance of sleep and keeping your fitness routine interesting but concluded that “diet is truly the key”.

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Being healthy comes before weight loss

Lively has criticised the pressure new mothers feel, telling Newsbeat: “There’s pressure to lose it, or women are supposed to look like they did when they were 19 right after you give birth to your child, I think it’s silly”. 

She also told You magazine: “Losing weight is not something I have spent much time focusing on. With a new baby, it’s just about eating well for her, because everything I eat goes right into her system. Your body goes through a lot after pregnancy and birth, so small, gentle workouts feel better.”

She keeps her workouts fun and her food fresh

“I hate the gym. Who doesn’t? When I’m in the gym I feel like I am missing out. So I would rather rent a bike or go for a hike,” Lively told You. She also confessed to Celebrity Health & Fitness: “I like to cook. I use a lot of fresh ingredients, which really does make a huge difference”.