Beckinsale surprised to kick-ass (From The Northern Echo)

Beckinsale surprised to kick-ass

9:06am Friday 17th February 2012 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2011

Kate Beckinsale says that she's surprised herself with her tendency to take on physically demanding roles.

The actress made action-thriller Contraband, the fourth Underworld film and Total Recall last year.

But she told Women's Health magazine: "It's not really in my nature to do all this ass-kicking.

"When I first started training for Underworld they were like, 'She can't even run!' And I couldn't!," she said.

Kate said that she suffers a lot of bumps and bruises while making action-packed films, but that she has taken a disciplined approach to fitness.

"It's not a mystery. I just have to get on with it," she said.

The British actress, who has a strict diet, which includes lean protein meals every three hours, and works out with routines and yoga daily at her LA home, said: "I have a personal instructor who comes round and we work out in the kitchen near the dog bowl.

"If I'm away, or she is, we do it on Skype. I really like that you have a bit of a lie-down at the end, that keeps me going!"

The full interview appears in the UK launch issue of Women's Health, on sale now.