Maria Menounos turns up the heat on the July cover of SHAPE magazine! She is flaunting her chiseled abs and a beach-ready body in a neon pink and orange bikini.

The Extra host and Dancing With the Stars sensation gives an exclusive interview with SHAPE, the 34-year-old entertainment reporter reveals some of her healthy habits that help her maintain that fit figure.

Freshman 15? No, Maria Menounos reported she gained 40 pounds in college. She was determined to lose the stubborn weight and keeping it off. It has been 13 years and the weight has yet to make an appearance. Therefore, Maria Menounos knows a thing or two about staying in shape!

Behind the glitz and glam of Dancing With the Stars, Menounos told SHAPE that she suffered a whole slew of injuries from the dance show including:

stress fractures and broken ribs.

But she danced through the pain to earn herself fourth place in the competition.

Maria Menounos said:

No one will ever understand the pain I went through to stay in the running, but it was worth it.

How does she stay so tough? She attributes her self-discipline to her heritage! Born to Greek immigrant parents in Boston, she grew up with a resilient father who gave up sugar completely more than 40 years ago after being diagnosed with diabetes. The fearless competitor also participates in the World Wrestling Entertainment celebrity matches…for fun!!

This tough cookie may have abdominal muscles tighter than a pair of spandex spanky pants but how does she get them you ask? Funny story; Maria Menounos says she HATES doing ab workouts, could have fooled me!

Menounos says:

I’d rather have people punch me than do sit ups. Sitting there, just squeezing your abs and bracing yourself for the punch, that is an ab workout.

In the July issue of SHAPE readers can find Maria’s top 12 secrets for living a healthy life, plus her go-to 5-minute workout. The magazine hit the shelves two days ago on June 27. Get yours today!

Photo courtesy of: Twitter, Maria Menounos‘s twitter