Want to take a shot at looking like some of Brazil’s hottest exports? The Latin nation may be hosting the Fifa World Cup, but it’s just as well known for its talent off the pitch too. Brazil has produced some of the world’s sexiest women – from Ana Beatriz Barros to to Alessandra Ambrosio. So, if your goal involves looking great instead of hitting a ball into the back of a net, there is plenty to learn from these sizzling starlets. Over the next few days we will be revealing the beauty secrets of the country’s top models. Today we look at Alessandra…
Kicking off: Alessandra, 33, who has two children, says her beauty is all thanks to her positive thinking: “Take care of yourself, be healthy and always believe you can be successful in anything you truly want” is her mantra.
On the ball: When she’s prepping for a big event, like a Victoria’s Secret runway show, she tucks into a diet of high-protein shakes for at least a week before the show, but she has been quick to reassure young fans that this isn’t a sustainable approach. “After this show, I become normal again! I know it’s very intense but I just have an athlete’s mind and I appreciate doing this thing,” she says. The rest of the time, she has a much more balanced approach to diet: “I really eat everything that it is pleasant to me. But nevertheless I always know when to stop. And not to go too far, I take it in small portions.”
Her personal trainer Leandro Carvalho makes sure she focuses on her legs and derriere, with the two often working out at midnight if they have to. “She trusts me because I am Brazilian like her, and in Brazil it is all about the butt,” he says. “It is not easy to keep a flat stomach and a curvy butt.” And Alessandra admits she always focuses on her stomach – and makes working out a priority. “When you’re in a bikini, your abs are the most important. I like doing bridges, and I’ll also finish a workout with 100 bicycle crunches,” she says. “I spin on Monday, go to Pilates on Wednesday and yoga on Sunday. You have all these other things to put in front of [workouts] that you say are more important, but they’re not. Your health is most important.”
Scores for: Despite being blessed with a bangin’ bod, Alessandra appreciates there are more important things in life. “Having a perfect body isn’t everything,” she says. “I want my daughter to be nice, have a good education and be disciplined. That’s what makes people like her. A perfect butt doesn’t make an amazing person. It’s about feeling confident.”
For Gisele’s bikini body secrets visit, here
Words: Sarah James/Feats Press
Images: Instagram
