Sophie Hermann bikini body secrets – Don’t count calories and channel Lara Croft

Model and Made In Chelsea stalwart Sophie Hermann has revealed the secrets to her stunning physique. 

The 33-year-old beauty – known for her no-nonsense attitude and zest for the finer things in life – has revealed that she doesn’t count calories, won’t be becoming vegan anytime soon and that she loves to eat, proving that an athletic bikini body doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself.

The German starlet has recently returned from London‘s Box Clever Sports’ luxury boxing retreat at Palm Heights in the Cayman Islands.

‘My motto is don’t count the calories, count the carats,’ Sophie told MailOnline of her regime. ‘There was a health guru at the hotel and he has been vegan for 40 years and created crazy recipes that I never tried.

‘As a German I love the sausage so I’m not into the vegan food normally; but I loved all his recipes. It is all about balance, but in general I do have a healthy appetite.’

Sophie was put through her paces training three times a day, with the time in between reserved for relaxing and enjoying herself.

And she admits that the focus on cardio and boxing helped her to see results in a matter of days.

‘It was amazing and actually surpassed all my expectations because you get to do a lot of training – we worked out three times a day – but the island and the Palm Heights Hotel as a backdrop helped me keep going.

‘I really had to channel my inner Lara Croft!’

She went on: ‘The location was stunning and the training gave me quick results. Yet at the same time it was a really chilled vibe. We just had three workouts a day, but it was casual, if that makes sense.’

Sophie has been training with ex-boxer Peter Liggins for nearly three years at his Ladbroke Grove studio, which has hosted the likes of Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz Beckham, reality star Louise Thompson, model Laura Bailey, tailor Luke Sweeney, and socialite DJ Lady Mary Chateris. 

Pete has 24 years of experience and is the founder of the Box Clever Sports boxing gym.

‘He is amazing! He takes time and puts in individual care and creates bespoke training. I am not like everyone else – I need special attention!’ Sophie said. ‘I mix my training up and I mostly do yoga four times a week. So doing boxing three times a day – well, I was really out of my comfort zone.

‘I really pushed by body but I loved it. And the great thing about Pete’s training is that it’s all about the cardio and boxing – so within five days I had oblique abs. After only five days I saw results and I felt incredible. It made being in a bikini a lot easier.’

Despite her stunning figure, Sophie admits to her own issues when it comes to body confidence.

‘As a woman, body confidence is a huge thing, you are you own worst critique,’ she admitted. ‘Our body is constantly changing – but I am 33 and I have a better body now than when I was 20.

‘I had the best time when I was 5kg heavier but we are always evolving. Happy girls are the prettiest girls, it’s all about how you feel on the inside.’

Pete’s methods are not for the meek. Back in London, he advises that any participants bring with them a moderate level of fitness to make it through their gruelling workouts.

The idea is to whip his clients into shape quickly, helping to motivate them to carry on when they start seeing changes.

But the onus is on the ‘family community’ feel to the gym: no egos. 

‘There are no scented towels or shiny mirrors – it is a raw, authentic boxing gym with a ring, a weights section and a sparring area,’ Pete told MailOnline. ‘The space carters to those wanting to blow off some steam or those who are new to the sport and keen to learn how to throw a jab or a mean hook!’

Pete prides himself by being the hardest trainer at the gym and has no mercy for those who don’t perform, often punishing those who are late with 10 Burpees for every minute anyone is late to a class.

But Sophie has stuck around for three years – jumping at the chance to attend his retreat, which she will be returning to in August.

‘The great thing about doing a retreat in the Cayman Islands on a beach is having a tan definitely enhances the body contouring and abs.

‘I would recommend this boxing retreat to everyone. Pete does bespoke training and gives you options that work for your body type. Take me back now!’

Sophie added one extra request for next time, however…

‘For the next retreat I definitely need to take a boyfriend as the hotel is perfect for couples. So I am on the lookout before August 2020. Any takers?’