Ashley Tisdale Gets Fit

For years Ashley Tisdale acted like many young women who are naturally slim: She ate junk food whenever she wanted and avoided the gym whenever she could. That all changed a few years ago when she injured her back on the set of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. "It was a bad fall, and it really started hurting when I was dancing on tour," says Ashley. "In order to get my back stronger, I knew I had to strengthen my core." Despite being active on the job, Ashley had a real aversion to the gym. "I hated it!" she says. "I loved performing in the High School Musical movies—that didn't seem like work—but the gym felt like torture!" To improve her outlook, she focused on the health benefits of exercise. "Now before I work out, I think, 'I love exercise'—and it works," she says. Having such a positive attitude made it easier for Ashley to improve her diet when she learned about her family history of diabetes. "After I found out my grandfather has it and my mom is borderline, I knew I had to get serious about my diet too," says the 23-year-old actress/singer. "I realized just how much exercise and eating right make a difference in how you feel now and when you get older."

Ashley spoke to Shape exclusively about these changes and how they've not only benefited her body, but also given her a healthy dose of confidence.

Discover what motivates you...
As if she wasn't already motivated enough to improve her health, Ashley had one other good reason: "I was always superthin—too skinny, actually," she says. "I felt like someone could break me in half. I realize now that being a bit more curvy and toned is so much more beautiful." To get on track, Ashley started working with trainer Christopher Hebert eight months ago. "He's cute, which makes it fun, and he never lets our exercise sessions get boring," she says. Each hour-long workout consists of 30 minutes on the elliptical and 30 minutes of weight training and core exercises (which help keep Ashley’s back strong). For her arms and shoulders, Ashley alternates between exercises with light hand weights and push-ups. For her legs, Christopher has her run stairs at the gym.

Ashley's great-body workout...
When Ashley Tisdale was filming High School Musical 3, she was rehearsing six hours a day—and discovering a passion for exercise. She took her routine up a notch when she started working with Los Angeles trainer Christopher Hebert last summer. The duo does a combo of cardio and resistance training three or four days a week, with special emphasis on strengthening Ashley's core. "She really enjoys cardio—especially running stairs with a medicine ball," says Christopher. She holds a weighted ball overhead and jogs up and down a set of stairs 10 times, skipping every other step.

Ashley proves you can be strong and toned without looking like a bodybuilder. Check out Ashley's workout, that you too, can do at home, in just 20 minutes!