by POPSUGAR Fitness 8

Not one, not two, but three country music stars are showing off their bikini bodies on the cover of the July issue of Shape magazine. LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride, and Julianne Hough look smokin' in their metallic suits. The ladies admit it takes work to look so trim and tell Shape that, as role models, it's important for their fans (and Martina's daughters) to know they take a healthy approach.

The singers chat about how frustrating it can be to watch their husbands scarf down anything they want to eat and confide that being in the spotlight isn't always peachy. All three women take responsibility for promoting a healthy way of life, especially eating a well-balanced diet, and emphasize that beauty isn't just a physical attribute. Julianne won me over with this statement:

There are a lot of teenagers out there who look at me and say, "Well, she's 21, I want to look like her." But I want everyone to know — especially young girls — I eat. I am not starving myself. I'm concerned about young women and their self-esteem being based on what they see on TV or in magazines. It's not about being beautiful on the outside, it's about loving yourself and who you are.

It's encouraging to see a young star reach out with a positive message. Keep it coming!