For Carrie Underwood, life just seems to keep getting better.
With her fifth studio album Storyteller set for release on Oct. 23, an upcoming hosting gig at the 2015 CMA Awards, and a 10-month-old son, Isaiah, it's clear Underwood is having a very fine year. It doesn't hurt that she looks better than ever—a true nod to the new mom's commitment to health and fitness.
In the upcoming November issue of SHAPE Magazine, the 32-year-old blonde bombshell revealed an array of her lifestyle secrets, including the one major strategy she uses for getting a flat stomach overnight.
"I'm vegan and I love bread, but recently, I started making dinner a breadless meal. I'll have a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, and I'll make a sandwich on Ezekiel bread for lunch, but in the evening I'll have protein and vegetables and no bread," Underwood admitted to SHAPE Magazine. "When I wake up, my belly is flat!"
Surely, that can't be the only reason your abs are in check, Carrie.
Much like anything else worth having, the Grammy winner's svelte figure doesn't come easily. In addition to a no-carb dinner, Underwood has committed to a regular regimen of Tabata, a series of exercises done heavily for short spurts of time.
"My favorite workout is Tabata, which I can do at home in about a half hour. I'm in love with it! It's hard, but it really works. I choose seven different exercises, like squats, lunges, or pushups, and do eight rounds of each – 20 seconds on, 20 seconds off for eight rounds. It really revs up my metabolism. When I'm done, I can handle anything."
While juggling her son, a daily workout, and a laundry list of other tasks befitting of an international country star, Underwood appreciates the idea of a fitness wear that doubles also as street wear.
"Since I exercise almost every day, I like wearing clothes that look just as good on the street as they do at the gym," Underwood explained. "I've always been an athletic-wear fanatic, but everything I owned was either super-functional and not cute, or really frilly and not right for my workout."
The answer? Designing her own line of workout clothes in partnership with Dick's Sporting Goods to meet all of her fashion demands. The "Heartbeat" singer even debuted the line during the fall's New York Fashion Week.
"I need exercise clothing that I can actually work out in but that also looks great if I meet a friend for coffee afterward," Underwood said. "That's why I created [clothing line] Calia…and now I wear it everywhere."
Still, it can't be pedal to the medal all the time for Underwood, who recently celebrated a five year anniversary with husband and professional hockey player Mike Fisher. With a new baby in tow, the chart-topping music star understands more than ever how crucial personal time can be.
"I think it's important to sit quietly every day for 10 minutes. In the morning, I enjoy my cup of coffee and plan the day in my head to be ready for it. And sometimes at night, I sip a glass of red wine and just relax," she said. "I've learned to give myself a break."
SHAPE Magazine's November issue hits newsstands on Oct. 20.