If you keep up with Jessica Alba on social media, then you know that the Killers Anonymous star is basically the queen of TikTok. And while all that dancing is a great workout, you’re probably wondering what else she does to stay so fit at 39.
Amid her busy lifestyle as an actress, entrepreneur, and mom of three, Alba prioritizes a consistent fitness routine and nutrient-packed diet to keep her energy going. “Working out takes away that little edge so that I feel happier and more productive, and my brain can get kick-started,” she once told Shape.
That said, her schedule has some wiggle room. “As I’ve gotten older and after I became a mom, it became more of a priority to be healthy for the right reasons,” Alba told People. “It’s more important to have a balanced approach instead of trying to be perfect.”
To stay healthy and strong, she swears by Pilates, HIIT workouts, plant-based meals, and some downtime. Here’s everything Alba has shared about her active lifestyle.
1. She works out two to four times a week.
Alba’s mentality around exercise has shifted over the years. “I always thought, I need to sweat out my weight in water, I need to have muscle failure, I need to feel like I just ran a marathon—that’s how hard I needed to work out,” she recently told Women’s Health.
When the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the closure of gyms across the U.S., Alba realized she didn’t have to go so hard. “I’ve learned to mix it up and not feel like a failure if I’m not, you know, killing myself,” she said, adding that sometimes a workout is just a walk while listening to a podcast. She also aims to sweat it out two to four times a week.
2. Pilates keeps her core strong.
Alba is a longtime fan of hot yoga, but recently gave Reformer Pilates a try, which she credits to sculpting her abs. “I feel every muscle in my core,” she told Women’s Health. “I never even knew I had those things.”
Outside of a pandemic, Alba also loves going to spin classes for a dose of cardio. “I prefer it mixed in with light weights, so like a sculpting hot yoga class,” she told Byrdie. “I’ll always work out with a friend because it’s more fun.”
3. And HIIT workouts get her heart rate up.
Alba incorporates high-intensity interval training (HIIT) into her fitness routine, too. “I like moving around a lot. I don’t like a lot of repetition,” she told Byrdie. Two exercises she doesn’t enjoy? Squats and plyometrics (like jump training). “It makes me feel nauseous,” she admitted. “As for running, I feel like I have to work myself up to it—I have to train to get to a point where I can run,” she said. “I have to get fit enough to run!”
But she pushes herself when she feels the motivation to. “I love my shape because it does what I want it to. If I want to go on a hike or a bike ride or go for a swim, I know my body will do everything I tell it to,” she told Shape. “I also appreciate that I can push myself through when I’m feeling tired. There’s always a little extra something to get me past the tired moments.”
4. She adds a few plant-based meals into her diet each week.
Every week, Alba cuts down on animal products and booze. “Four days a week, I try to eat plant-based, and I don’t drink alcohol,” the actress told Women’s Health. “Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, all bets are off. That feels like moderation to me.”
She also told Byrdie that her usual menu includes protein shakes with almond butter, banana, and coconut water. For breakfast, her go-to is avocado toast and poached eggs, and snacks always include fresh veggies and hummus or popcorn with Himalayan sea salt and coconut oil. “I try to stick to a diet that’s low in sugar and carbs and high in lean protein and vegetables,” she told Shape.
For Alba, stocking her home with healthy foods is key to maintaining a balanced diet. “Always try to have as many fresh and natural things in your diet as possible and the least amount of processed things and things that have unnatural sugars,” she told Byrdie.
5. Coconut water is her go-to drink.
Along with not drinking alcohol, Alba stays hydrated with coconut water. “I really love the health benefits that come with coconut water,” she told Byrdie, as its a source of nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and calcium. “I don’t drink a ton of other types of drinks. I drink coffee, tea, and coconut water—that’s it.”
“I think staying hydrated is really important,” she added. “Just making sure you do stay hydrated for glowing skin and high energy. It’s important for overall health.”
6. She manages stress with meditation.
For Alba, meditation is key to coping with stress. “When I’m feeling anxious, I hold on to a crystal and do breathing exercises and try to focus on the energy of love, kindness, and calming,” she told Women’s Health, adding that this routine results in a healthy mind-body connection for her.
For Alba, it’s important to understand “the full scope of what I need to be my best self for my kids, my friends, my family, my work, and most importantly, probably, for me, so I can feel more…I hate the word balanced, but maybe…more connected,” she said.
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Currently an assistant editor at Prevention.com, Nicol is a Manhattan-based journalist who specializes in health, wellness, beauty, fashion, business, and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Houston Chronicle, Business Insider, INSIDER, Everyday Health, and more. When Nicol isn't writing, she loves trying new workout classes, testing out the latest face mask, and traveling. Follow her on Instagram for the latest on health, wellness, and lifestyle.
