'I don't obsess about what I eat!': Michelle Monaghan, 40, shows off her stunning figure in Shape as she insists she's not into diets

By Sameer Suri For Dailymail.com

Published: 13:46 EST, 8 February 2017 | Updated: 15:56 EST, 8 February 2017

Michelle Monaghan appears to be in the best shape of her life.

So it's no wonder the 40-year-old actress looked so comfortable on the March cover of Shape magazine.

The beauty wore a barely-there black bikini that bared her chiseled midriff and part of her toned derriere as she talked about how she doesn't really diet.

Health first: In Shape magazine, Michelle Monaghan's said that though she keeps fit, 'I also need to be an example for my daughter,' so 'I can’t run around worried about what I look like

Health first: In Shape magazine, Michelle Monaghan's said that though she keeps fit, 'I also need to be an example for my daughter,' so 'I can’t run around worried about what I look like

The star had flung on a blue crop top pocked with holes.

She grinned as she held a surfboard in front of a glistening ocean view.

Inside the magazine, she said that though she keeps fit, 'I also need to be an example for my daughter. That means I can’t run around worried about what I look like.'  

 'Soaking it in: She beamed as she leaned against the glass doors of an ocean front house, basking in the sun on the patio while in a crop top blue sweater and red bikini

 'Soaking it in: She beamed as she leaned against the glass doors of an ocean front house, basking in the sun on the patio while in a crop top blue sweater and red bikini

She, her husband Peter White, her eight-year-old daughter Willow and three-year-old son Tommy are 'active together as a family - the kids go hiking and biking with us. But I don’t obsess about what I eat.'

The Mission Impossible III actress sizzled in a variety of bathing suits, including one yellow-lined blue rash-guard unzipped to bare a trace of cleavage.

A yellow bathing suit with huge chunks carved out the sides was worn with the bottoms of a black wet-suit as she posed again with the surfboard on the sand.

When you got it: She's covered the March issue in a barely-there black bikini that bared her chiseled midriff and part of her toned derriere

When you got it: She's covered the March issue in a barely-there black bikini that bared her chiseled midriff and part of her toned derriere

She beamed as she leaned against the glass doors of an ocean front house, basking in the sun on the patio while in a crop top blue sweater and red bikini.

A red one-piece with black brim was also in the wardrobe for the Winthrop native as she had a bit of a gallivant in the water.

To help sculpt her body into the shape it's in now, 'I hike in the morning if I can, after I drop the kids off at school. If not, I’ll go for a run. Typically, I’ll do 30 minutes, which is a three-mile run for me.'

Making a splash: A red one-piece with black brim was also in the wardrobe for the Winthrop native as she had a bit of a gallivant in the water

Making a splash: A red one-piece with black brim was also in the wardrobe for the Winthrop native as she had a bit of a gallivant in the water

Look ravishing in red on the beach with Michelle's Duskii swimsuit

$190

DUSKII 'Oasis' spring suit

Splash out at Farfetch

Buy now

Summer seems a long way off right now but if you've got a winter holiday planned then maybe you're in the market for a stylish new suit.

If you're not a bikini girl and you aren't a fan of slashes, prints or frills then why not work the sports luxe trend on the beach? This swimsuit, modeled so beautifully by Michelle Monaghan, is the perfect piece to nail the look.

By Duskii it's made from sturdy neoprene which moulds and fits to the body and we love the athletics inspired mesh details and the zip front fastening. It's a super chic option and will ensure you stand out as you stroll along the sand.

Click (right) to buy it now at Farfetch work with pool slides and surfer girl hair. Or you can find more ravishing reds in our edit below!

* PRICES MAY NOT BE AS ADVERTISED
...NOW GET ONE LIKE IT

While the run 'makes my muscles tight,' she says, 'Pilates loosens me up,' providing 'balance.' Plus which, 'I also love SoulCycle.'

In her 2014 film Better Living Through Chemistry she played a Spin instructor with the result that 'at the time I thought, there’s no way I’m getting on a bike. But SoulCycle had just opened in LA, so I went with friends. The lights were off, candles were burning, and we were hooked. It’s like church!'

Work throws a wrench into the workouts. 'When I’m not shooting, I aim to work out at least three times a week. But if I’m filming, I rarely make it to the gym.'

She currently stars opposite Aaron Paul and Hugh Dancy on a Hulu show about spiritualists called The Path. 

Athletic: A yellow bathing suit with huge chunks carved out the sides was worn with the bottoms of a black wet-suit as she posed again with the surfboard on the sand

Athletic: A yellow bathing suit with huge chunks carved out the sides was worn with the bottoms of a black wet-suit as she posed again with the surfboard on the sand

While filming it, 'I’d go to the park and run maybe once a week. Or I’d do squats and push-ups in my trailer. On shoot days, I start at about five in the morning and don’t get home until seven at night, so it’s hard to find time for exercise.'

In such cases, 'I throw myself a bone and don’t get too worried about it. I know that when I have time again, I can kick it up a notch.'

Quipping: 'I get crabby when I don’t work out. Just ask my husband!' she explained that 'I really depend on exercising to relieve stress.'

Quoth she: 'Years ago, when I started working out, it was about getting my body in shape. But now the mental benefits outweigh the physical ones.'

Back and forth: While running in the morning 'makes my muscles tight,' she says, 'Pilates loosens me up,' providing 'balance'

Back and forth: While running in the morning 'makes my muscles tight,' she says, 'Pilates loosens me up,' providing 'balance'

Hence, her a.m. treks. 'There’s something about climbing a mountain that’s symbolic - you set your intention and what you want to focus on.'

She's also offered up a touch of pride, saying: 'I love my shape because I know what it’s capable of - running 13 miles, having two children, and learning to surf. I love my body so much; it’s profoundly amazing. I have enormous gratitude for it.'

In the dieting arena, 'I have never liked fruit. To make up for it, I have a green juice every morning, which is totally devoid of fruit but has tons of vitamins from vegetables.'

To hear her tell it, 'A typical day of eating for me is eggs or oatmeal for breakfast, soup or salad for lunch, and fish or meat and lots of veggies for dinner.'

'I love my body': She's also offered up a touch of pride, saying: 'I love my shape because I know what it’s capable of - running 13 miles, having two children, and learning to surf'

'I love my body': She's also offered up a touch of pride, saying: 'I love my shape because I know what it’s capable of - running 13 miles, having two children, and learning to surf'

Exchange: In the dieting arena, 'I have never liked fruit, and to compensate, 'I have a green juice every morning, which is totally devoid of fruit but has tons of vitamins from vegetables'

Exchange: In the dieting arena, 'I have never liked fruit, and to compensate, 'I have a green juice every morning, which is totally devoid of fruit but has tons of vitamins from vegetables'

During a behind-the-scenes video of her photo-shoot, she said: 'I love my shape because I'm 40 now, and I've seen it go through many different incarnations.'

She held that 'while it may not be considered perfect all the time, and it may be flawed, I am so proud of my shape. It's borne me, you know, two beautiful children.'

Continued she: 'You know, it's - I feel strong, and I also know that even when I don't feel like I'm in the best shape, you know, I tell myself, you know: "You can get there."'

Home is where the marathon is: She's got workout traditions as well, saying: 'I run a half marathon every year with Maria, my best friend from my hometown in Iowa'

Home is where the marathon is: She's got workout traditions as well, saying: 'I run a half marathon every year with Maria, my best friend from my hometown in Iowa'

'Training with her helps motivate and encourage me': For her, 'It’s great because there are days when I have to do an eight-mile run, and I’ll get a text from Maria saying: "I did eight miles! Did you do yours?"'

'Training with her helps motivate and encourage me': For her, 'It’s great because there are days when I have to do an eight-mile run, and I’ll get a text from Maria saying: "I did eight miles! Did you do yours?"'

 

Comments (7)

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now