Jaime Pressly shares her fitness strategies and secrets to let us know how she really gets buff and toned!

One of the biggest Hollywood fitness myths is that celebrities have great bodies because they have all the money in the world for personal trainers and professional chefs. While they may be able to afford these perks, they still have to do the work.

According to Shape’s March cover girl, Jaime Pressly, “I’ve always exercised really hard," says the 31-year-old North Carolina native. “I’m into the no pain, no gain thing!"

All that effort has paid off. Almost two years after giving birth to her son, Dezi, Jaime tops our annual list of the Sexiest Bodies in Hollywood.

Of course, Jaime’s allure goes way beyond toned abs. She also exudes self-confidence, a characteristic she finds appealing in others. Here, the Emmy-winning star of My Name Is Earl (and of the soon-to-be-released romantic comedy I Love You, Man) spills her secrets for getting sculpted and staying motivated and dishes on what really makes a woman sexy.

Stay focused on fitness goals & fitness strategies

Like a lot of first-time mothers, Jaime allowed herself to eat whatever she wanted while she was pregnant. “I gained 42 pounds," says the 5-foot-4-inch actress. “That’s a lot of weight for mama!" After her son was born, she set specific fitness goals for her workout routines so that she could get back in shape in time for her 30th birthday party.

“I needed to get in the gym and run on the treadmill and lift weights," she says. By the time her birthday arrived, she felt confident enough to celebrate by a pool in Las Vegas with her best friends in a bikini.

Jaime shares specific tips plus fitness goals and philosophies from her own workout routines with Shape readers.