Angelina Jolie sheds the pounds for new film Salt

Angelina Jolie had to get into tip-top shape for her new role as a CIA agent on the run in action thriller Salt.

Jolie’s personal trainer Simon Crane has revealed the strict exercise regime and diet he developed for the star to shed the pounds quickly and safely.

The Tomb Raider star ate five small meals a day and stuck to a diet of 70% carbs and 30% protein and actually avoided cardio to help “put muscle on without losing weight,” said Crane.

There were only two rules, strictly no junk food, and alcohol only on weekends.

To build muscle and stamina for her role as CIA officer Evelyn Salt, Jolie had to stay disciplined with her training regimen. “She knew that she was going to suffer!” says Crane, who started the actress with two-hour training sessions, five days a week.

Both strength and fight training helped prepare the star for stunts involving safety cables and wire rigs. Once shooting began, they took training down a notch by squeezing in four weekly sessions over lunch breaks and weekends, and altered her diet to 60% carbs and 40% protein.