Camila Alves Talks Fitness and Staying in Shape: It's About "Feeling Strong"

Model-actress tells E! News why being active is important for her entire family

By Rebecca Macatee Mar 08, 2016 10:12 PMTags
Watch: Camila Alves Opens Up on Her Fitness Routine

For Camila Alves, being "in good shape" isn't about looking a certain way: It's about feeling healthy.

Fitness is important to Camila and hubby Matthew McConaughey, and their three kids already understand why it's important to be active. "They love sports, they love being outside," Camila, who partnered with Target and the national UNICEF Kid Power Program and serves as the official Target Partner & Lifestyle Expert, told E! News of Levi, Vida and Livingston.

"Whether it's going on a hike, whether it's going to play football or hula hoop or whatever it is that they're into at that moment, it's just really about being outside and being in nature and getting your body moving around," she said.

As for Camila personally, we wanted to know what she does to stay in such great shape. "I'm going to change what you're saying," she said. "When you say I'm 'really in shape,' I'm going to say that, OK, I'm not overweight, but I'm not in shape. Because to me, to be considered in shape, you've got to feel strong, and right now my body does not feel strong."

"I haven't been able to exercise for a long time," she said. "We've been on the road for nine months, then Christmas came around and all of that, so I haven't been doing anything, but I just started back."

"I don't like exercising, I'll be honest with you," admitted Camila. "I love dancing, [but] to be like training like everyday, I just started, and I do it because I need to. I need to retrain my body after three babies and all that, but really, my most joy that I have is dancing."

Target teamed up with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to launch the UNICEF Kid Power Bands—the world's first child-friendly fitness bands that encourage kids to get active and earn points. Points unlock lifesaving therapeutic food packets for severely malnourished children around the world.

For more from Camila on getting back into her workout groove, incorporating dance into her routine and whether she and Matthew hit the gym together, watch the video above.