With the weather now finally deciding to get its ass into gear and bring our bodies some much-needed Vitamin D, we can't wait to celebrate the hot sunny weather with a jug of Pimms, a Flake 99, a packet of Flaming Hot Doritos and a family-sized pack of dips.

However, one thing that's not so high on the agenda right now is working out in the gym.

Look, by all means give us the option to run a few laps around the park and take part in a HIIT class on a rooftop with breath-taking views (although the lack of oxygen in our lungs might actually be to blame), but we think we'll pass on a 45mins circuits class in a gym studio sans air conditioning while our friends are out enjoying the sunshine.

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Fortunately, it seems actress Zoe Saldana has the answer to our exercise versus summer predicament.

The Guardians of the Galaxy actress has recently opened up about her hate for long workouts, admitting she prefers to limit herself to a 20minute workout, without the faff of weights and dumbbells.

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She told Shape magazine: 'Between travel, meetings, and shoots, schedules are rough for me. I try to work out three times a week, but I don't believe in getting on one machine for 30 minutes. If I do a lot of cardio, it usually just means I'll be dragging my feet for the rest of the day.'

We hear you, Zoe.

'When I'm shooting, I really don't like to be strict with my workout, since I'm already putting in 16-hour days,' she continues.

So, how does the mother-of-two maintain her svelte future?

Zoe Saldana | ELLE UKpinterest
Getty Images

'I run in place for 30 seconds, then do squats, then carry a heavy medicine ball a few times in a row until I get my heart rate up,' she says.

Of course, the New Jersey-born star doesn't credit her toned figure to exercise regime alone.

'I can't work out regularly, so I compensate by eating a lot healthier than I might otherwise. Once you have relatively healthy eating habits, your workout can become playing with your kids, strolling around the neighbourhood, playing airplane, or just changing diapers,' she explains.

'I don't believe in cheat days because I don't believe in diets. I try not to deprive my body of anything, because the moment I have just salads and protein for a few days, I crave carbs. But when I eat everything in balance, I think less about food and more about everything else. It's about eating to live, not living to eat,' she concludes.

Now, that's a mantra we'd like to live by.

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Katie O'Malley
Site Director

Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.