Molly Sims is 49 years old and thriving. The model posted a photo of herself relaxing on a boat, looking absolutely stunning in a beige one-piece swimsuit. “As Luke Combs would say, even though I’m leavin’, I ain’t going nowhere. You’re always so good to me #theHamptons ❤️ ,” she captioned the post. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Sims 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!
Sims follows an intermittent fasting eating plan, which means she eats her first meal of the day (a smoothie) at noon. She sometimes opts for spinach and egg whites with a slice of gluten-free bread. “Spinach is loaded with protective compounds called polyphenols,” says registered nutritionist Jo Lewin. “Studies suggest, that along-with its vitamin content these compounds may promote cancer-protective properties. Animal studies suggest including spinach in the diet may protect against colon cancer.”
Sims no longer weighs herself, preferring to rely on instinct and how her clothes fit. “It’s more about living healthy and how you’re feeling,” she tells Women’s Health. “I truly, truly don’t like the word ‘diet.’ I don’t even like the scale. I use a pair of jeans; the jeans don’t lie I can tell you that.”
Sims enjoys a protein-rich lunch of salmon and salad. “I’ll do either a salmon salad with butter lettuce or mesclun greens and black olives plus, sweet potatoes for heartiness and roasted almonds for crunch,” she says. “I love a hearty salad. I do a mustard dressing with Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, oil, and salt and pepper to taste. It’s delicious.” Salmon is a fantastic choice of protein, experts say. “The pink color of salmon comes from its rich levels of a protective antioxidant called astaxanthin,” Lewin says. “This compound has been linked to lowering the risk of heart disease by improving cholesterol and working in combination with the omega-3 fatty acids to protect the brain and nervous system.”
Sims doesn’t like eating sugar, especially dried fruit. “Because dried fruit is so much smaller than the fresh fruit from which it comes, it’s easier to consume a lot of calories eating dried fruit,” says Anthony Komaroff, MD. “I rarely eat three fresh apricots or 30 grapes in the course of a few hours, but I frequently consume more than three dried apricots and 30 raisins in a few hours. Another matter of concern is that some dried fruit makers add sugars to dried fruit (which already contain their own natural sugars).”
Sims works out hard, and particularly enjoys workouts such as HIIT. “HIIT is a great regimen for people who are young and healthy. If you’re older or have heart disease, check with your doctor before trying it,” says Dr. I-Min Lee, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and an expert on the role of physical activity in preventing disease. “If doing HIIT fits in with your lifestyle, go for it. But the most important thing is to find an activity you enjoy and to keep doing it.”