As a mother and an artist, Alicia Keys knows the importance of taking care of her health and wellness. The 41-year-old singer posted a photo of herself looking happy and relaxed wearing a one-piece black swimsuit in the pool. “Some songs just become MONSTERS!! I love this song so much cause it reminds all of us of who we ARE!! This is OUR song!!! Big love to @nickiminaj @jeffbhasker @salaamremi @anntasticlv my love @therealswizzz,” she captioned the post. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Keys 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!
Keys says cutting out dairy and bread made a huge difference in her looks. “I’ve cut out dairy… and also, believe it or not, getting rid of the breads,” she told VOGUE. “Let me tell you, I’m the first person… I am a ‘breadaholic’. And then obviously, the fried foods, the oil and all that in the skin is never really good.”
Keys says drinking lots of water helped transform her skin. “I’ve always cared about skincare, but in a way that was very frustrating because I didn’t always have good skin,” she says. “I’ve learned some of the secrets and I’ve also found some of the products that work for me – because everybody is different. You’ve gotta keep trying and find what’s good for you.”
Keys is a big fan of healthy, leafy greens, which studies show can slow brain aging. “Those who took in more leafy greens in their diet – about one and a half portions a day versus those who had less than a half portion a day – had a slower decline in memory as they aged,” says Cleveland Clinic’s James Leverenz, MD. “I like to say, ‘what’s good for your heart is good for your brain’. We know that vegetables and vegetarian-type diets are good for your heart and are likely good for your brain.”
Keys follows celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak’s diet and workout regimen. “With Harley’s plan, the focus is not on starving yourself but on healthful living so you don’t feel like you’re missing out on the foods you love. Once you get started, you get addicted to looking, feeling, and living your best,” she says.
Keys gets her exercise in the fresh air whenever she can, and enjoys hiking and running. “Exposing your skin to sunshine — actually, ultraviolet B (UVB) rays — enables the body to make vitamin D, which is why it’s also known as the ‘sunshine vitamin.’ Research suggests vitamin D may have protective effects against everything from osteoporosis to cancer to depression to heart attacks and stroke,” says Harvard Health.