'It's thrilling': Katie Holmes reveals how she got in shape and why she cut her hair for new role as military trained action hero in Doorman

She achieved a chiseled physique to play an ex-military action lead in the upcoming thriller Doorman.

And Katie Holmes showed off her toned figure on the cover of April's Women's Health, posing in a skintight white tank top for photographer Ben Wats.

The 39-year-old dished about her workout regime for the film, including boxing, 'which I had never done before. It's thrilling. You can get out the stress of the day.'

Fitness secrets: Katie Holmes achieved a chiseled physique to play an ex-military action lead in the upcoming thriller Doorman, a process she discussed in the new Women's Health

Fitness secrets: Katie Holmes achieved a chiseled physique to play an ex-military action lead in the upcoming thriller Doorman, a process she discussed in the new Women's Health

She can 'go in there and think of all the mundane things that bother me. Traffic! I put off all my calls till after boxing, because it puts me in a much calmer place.'

As for lifting, 'I was a five-pound weight person, and now I can do 15, 20.'

Katie, who gave up her signature long brown locks for a cropped do in aid of Doorman, shared: 'I wanted to be authentic to a person who trained in the military.'

'Which means someone who wasn’t always paying attention to the mirror and who was in shape not for vanity, but because that’s what her job called for.'

Winnign smile: Katie showed off her toned figure on the cover of April's Women's Health, posing in a skintight white tank top for photographer Ben Wats

Winnign smile: Katie showed off her toned figure on the cover of April's Women's Health, posing in a skintight white tank top for photographer Ben Wats

The Dawson's Creek actress, who has an 11-year-old daughter called Suri by her ex-husband Tom Cruise, discussed motherhood's impact on her fitness regimen.

'Being a parent, every choice I make it with my child in mind. So part of getting in shape is to be an example,' said Katie, who plans for Suri to be her only offspring.

The Toledo-born thesp, who sleeps in SK-II face masks and drinks 'two to three tablespoons a day' of flaxseed oil because 'It's good for your skin and your hair - and your heart,' also heaped praise on her own mother Kathleen A. Stothers-Holmes.

'I feel really lucky, because my mom is so creative, and she's such an artist. I mean, she makes all of the curtains, she makes all the pillows,' said Katie.

'It's good for your skin and your hair - andyour heart': The Toledo-born thesp  sleeps in SK-II face masks and drinks 'two to three tablespoons a day' of flaxseed oil, she dished to the mag

'It's good for your skin and your hair - andyour heart': The Toledo-born thesp  sleeps in SK-II face masks and drinks 'two to three tablespoons a day' of flaxseed oil, she dished to the mag

'She made me a homemade sweater. She knows how to do everything. And it's all, like, just wrapped in love. Growing up I kind of took it for granted, but as I've gotten older I see the poetry in that.'

Katie made her directorial debut with 2016's All We Had and is percolating a film of Kathleen Tessaro's 2016 novel Rare Objects, which is set in the Great Depression.

With star turns in both films, she said: 'Some people say: "It must be so hard to act and direct at the same time." But it's not as challenging as it looks, because you're in charge of it. And when you're a mom - we're used to doing 25 things at once.'

'Not for vanity': Katie, who gave up her signature long brown locks for a cropped do in aid of Doorman, shared: 'I wanted to be authentic to a person who trained in the military'

'Not for vanity': Katie, who gave up her signature long brown locks for a cropped do in aid of Doorman, shared: 'I wanted to be authentic to a person who trained in the military'

The Batman Begins actress began dating Scientologist movie star Tom Cruise in 2005, and seven weeks into the relationship, they were engaged.

Their Scientologist wedding was held at the Castello Orsini-Odescalchi in Bracciano in November 2006, seven months after their daughter was born.

Katie filed in 2012 for a divorce that was finalized only 10 days later, with Suri's mother retaining primary custody, though Tom could visit, per People.

'To be an example': The Dawson's Creek actress, who has an 11-year-old daughter called Suri by her ex-husband Tom Cruise, discussed motherhood's impact on her fitness regimen

'To be an example': The Dawson's Creek actress, who has an 11-year-old daughter called Suri by her ex-husband Tom Cruise, discussed motherhood's impact on her fitness regimen

Ron Miscavige, father of Scientology leader David Miscavige, told the MailOnline in 2016 that Katie's misgivings about Scientology - including the effect it could have on Suri - contributed to her decision to leave Tom.

Katie and Jamie Foxx only went public with their romance last year, though there had been speculation they were an item since 2013.

There was a swirl of rumors that Katie's divorce agreement prohibited her from publicly dating anyone for five years after the split with Tom.

'I see the poetry in that': Katie also heaped praise on her mother Kathleen A. Stothers-Holmes, saying: ''I feel really lucky, because my mom is so creative, and she's such an artist'

'I see the poetry in that': Katie also heaped praise on her mother Kathleen A. Stothers-Holmes, saying: ''I feel really lucky, because my mom is so creative, and she's such an artist'

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