It’s been less than three months since Shay Mitchell welcomed her second daughter, Rome, and she’s already showing off her flat abs in a swimsuit! The Pretty Little Liars and You star flaunted her fabulous figure on social media over the weekend, wearing a yellow bathing suit while vacationing with her family in Italy. How does the actress maintain her fit physique? Read on to see 7 ways Shay Mitchell 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!
Goal setting helps Shay stay on track. In early 2021 she revealed that after spending 2020 trying to “feel fine,” she was going to make 2021 the year she became the healthiest version of herself. “For me that came in the form of comfort food, comfort clothes and throwing my fitness routine out the window. And that was okay…for awhile. They’re called unprecedented times for a reason. But I also learned about physical and mental self-care, and made a pact with myself that 2021 would be different. I wanted to focus on myself again, because I’m the best version of myself for Atlas – and everyone else – when I take care of myself first,” she wrote on social media.
Shay is a big fan of exercise. “A doable time frame 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week for 4 weeks,” she wrote in 2021. “A clear start, a clear finish and a something that I could totally commit to. I have loved getting up these last four weeks and having a routine and a challenge to start the day. I feel more healthy, energetic and engaged…which makes a better me.”
“My food philosophy is everything in moderation,” Shay told Women’s Health. “Truly, I’m not one who believes in diets.” She also tries to set a healthy standard for her daughter. “I want her to be conscious about what she’s eating and where she gets it from. We have been taking her to the farmers market, and I like her knowing that this food came from a specific place,.”
According to Shay “it’s all about balance,” when it comes to diet and exercise. “A lot of people that know me know that I absolutely love food, pizza in particular. I work out not only to balance food, but also to keep my mind focused. And for me, that comes in many different forms. It can be taking a walk outside, boxing, or going to dance. Anything physical has such a positive impact on people; the dopamine and serotonin that get released when you work out—afterward, you feel amazing,” she told Byrdie.
Shay does a lot of different workouts. “I have to switch it up because I get bored, so I’ll try different classes,” she said. “Cardio for me is a spin class. I think it’s great. I get so amped up with other people in the room, and there’s just a really good energy about it. So I’ll usually start with a spin class, then it will be something like weights or working out with my amazing trainer—we do a mix of Pilates and leg toning. And then I’ll go take a Body by Simone class. There are so many amazing classes here in L.A., but my favorite is boxing. I love it because there is the cardio at the beginning, and then we’re sparring afterward and then we do stretching and weights.”
Shay understands the importance of hydration, especially when she is working out a lot. “I drink a lot of water,” she revealed to Byrdie. “I try to opt out of coffee and drink green tea instead.”
One way Shay makes sure to get a workout in? Brining a jump rope around with her. “Just taking a skipping rope with you wherever you are is such a good idea because it’s such an amazing workout. It’s the easiest, and I can bring it with me anywhere. And you only need a small amount of space,” she told Byrdie.