Kerry Washington has a ''loving relationship'' with her body.

The 'Scandal' actress exercises regularly to stay in shape but tries not to view working out as a ''punishment''.

She said: ''I try to come at exercise from a perspective of love rather than punishment.

''The one thing we have when we're born and until the day we die is our relationship with our body. Like any good relationship, I try to keep it a loving one.''

Kerry usually stays in shape with Pilates but also likes to ''mix things up'' with other exercises and always tries to eat well.

She told Red magazine: ''I like to mix things up with a bit of cardio, hiking and swimming. Anything that helps me feel relaxed and grounded.

''And I can never have enough fruit, coconut water, water... you know, just good, wholesome stuff.

''I work with a nutritionist to make sure I'm getting what I need when it comes to vitamins and nutrients.''

And the 38-year-old star - who has 16-month-old daughter Isabelle with husband Nnamdi Asomugha - enjoys regular deep tissue massages.

She said of the treatments: ''It helps me stay relaxed, physically aligned and healthy.''