People.com Lifestyle Health Bethenny Frankel Says She Doesn't Exercise or Diet: 'I Believe in Balance' The Real Housewives of New York City alum said feeling obligated to exercise or being “shackled and imprisoned by dieting” is miserable By Vanessa Etienne Vanessa Etienne Twitter Vanessa Etienne is an Emerging Content Writer-Reporter for PEOPLE. Prior to joining in April 2021, she served as a reporter for Men's Health Magazine and BET Digital after freelancing for publications such as The New York Times and Everyday Health. Originally from northern Virginia, Vanessa is a proud Haitian American with a love for R&B music and mental health topics. She graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor's in Communication and Public Relations before earning her master's degree in Journalism from the City University of New York. People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 26, 2022 03:20 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic Bethenny Frankel is getting real about how she remains healthy and active. In a new TikTok video, the former Real Housewives of New York City star answered a fan's question about how she's able to "stay so thin." "I get asked this all the time. I don't exercise. I do what I can, when I can," the 51-year-old Skinnygirl founder began. "I'll snowboard if I can, I'll surf if I can. I'll walk on the beach… but I choose sleep first. Sleep is the number one priority and being happy is the number one priority." "I was probably 20 lbs. heavier in my 30s and I was always on a diet," Frankel admitted, adding that she no longer believes in the idea of exercising to work off calories consumed. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "So I eat what I want, and I don't ever binge. I don't workout and I don't do weights," the reality star continued. "I believe in balance. I believe in sleep, I believe in living, I believe in french fries, I believe in alcohol, and I believe in not being crazy." "The crazier you get, the worse it gets for you. And as you get older, you realize the zero f—s lifestyle works better," Frankel added. She explained that she goes for walks and does other activities simply because she wants to and enjoys them, and said anyone who feels "shackled and imprisoned by dieting" is going to be miserable. Bethenny Frankel Reveals the Real Reason She Left RHONY: 'Business Is Personal' Bethenny Frankel/Instagram Frankel has been promoting body positivity in the last few years. Last year, she shared a mirror selfie on Instagram posing in her shapewear with an encouraging message to her followers about why she's not a fan of filters. "If I were a 'filterer' I would have gotten rid of my lines and my dark circles, but this is me at 50. #zeroglam #zerofilter," she began the caption. "Why do I mention this all the time? Because I think it's important for young women to know that being flawed is truthful and real, and that filtering yourself into someone fictitious is actually damaging to girls' and women's self esteem," Frankel continued. "It's courageous and beautiful to be real at any age." "I realize that fake and filtered sells," she added, "but I'm happy over here with my followers who appreciate the difference. ❤️ #NationalShapewearDay @skinnygirlbrand shapewear."