Jennifer Aniston, 42, defies age and just gets better and better with time

Jennifer Aniston accepted the Decade of Hotness Award at the Spike TV Awards in Los Angeles last night and showed that her strict diet and exercise routine has paid off.

The 42-year-old actress looked better than many women half her age and flaunted her toned physique in a revealing black Azzedine Alaia dress and Manolo Blahnik heels.

The strappy mini dress proved that Aniston is still just as smoking hot as she was when she first burst onto the scene as Rachel Green in the TV smash hit, Friends, in 1994.

Toned and Trim, Jennifer Aniston shows off her enviable figure as she accepts the Decade of Hotness Award

But the actress’s rock hard body does not come without a serious commitment to diet and exercise.

The American beauty revealed the secret to her honed body stating, ‘It’s simple. Run, work out every day. I do a lot of running- exercise is so important.’

Aniston has been through a lot over the past few years, with her divorce from Brad Pitt, several subsequent failed relationships and a movie career that has been hit and miss.

Age-defying! The 42-year-old actress, Jennifer Aniston has a serious commitment to diet and exercise and it shows

But one thing that has been consistent is her enviable looks, shiny hair, toned legs and rock hard abs.

Aniston’s commitment to her body is paramount and a source on the set of her film, The Bounty, revealed to Life and Style Weekly magazine, ‘She runs before filming starts. We were filming from 6am until almost 11 at night and her body looks amazing.’

The source went on to comment that Jennifer would get up as early as ‘3am to ensure that she stays in tip top condition’ and be sure that she could fit her work outs into the long days of filming.

Giving detention, Cameron Diaz hammed up her new role as a sultry educator in Bad Teacher for her appearance on the Awards show

Still got it: The 38-year-old, Cameron Diaz showed off her legs while on stage

In addition to running, Aniston does daily custom-designed private yoga lessons with celebrity yoga instructor Mandy Ingber at her home.

But it is not all exercise that keeps the former wife of Brad Pitt looking sexy.

Aniston is committed to eating clean and keeping herself on a strict diet free of processed foods and rich in vegetables and lean proteins.

The svelte star employs two personal chefs, Jewels and Jill Elmore whom she credits with changing ‘the way I see a kitchen from a place to store PowerBars to a sanctuary that has become the most important room in the house.’

Enthusiastic, Eva Mendes was excited to present the guy of the year award

But Aniston does confess a weakness for Mexican food in an interview with American news program Good Morning America saying, ‘I pretty much go to grease, fried foods. Salt.’

Also at last night’s event was Scarlett Johansson who narrowly missed her rumoured ex-boyfriend Sean Penn on the red carpet - he had snuck in the back door while she posed for the cameras out front.

The stunning red head looked amazing in a short black and white Valentino dress. The thigh skimming frock was accented with a asymmetrical frill across the top and continued down the side.

Also in attendance at the annual event was Cameron Diaz who hammed up her new role as a sultry educator in new film Bad Teacher.

The blonde is reported to have split from her baseball pro lover Alex ’A-Rod’ Rodriguez, 35, but betrayed no sign of sadness at the high-spirited event, despite opting for a funeral black suit.

With such an array of beauties, including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 24 , who was flying the flag for the UK in an arresting white gown, it was quite a scramble for the Holy Grail of Hotness Award.

The honour went to Black Swan temptress Mila Kunis, 28 , who accepted the award from her Friends with Benefits co-star Justin Timberlake, 30.

The army of beauties was bolstered by Eva Mendes in a delightful lavender dress and Minka Kelly in blue, to add to the rainbow spectrum of attire.

Jennifer Aniston earlier this year (left) and at The Bounty premiere in 2010 (right)

Like a fine wine, Jennifer Aniston at an event in 2009 (left) and at premiere for her hit movie Marley and Me in 2008 (right)

Hot through the ages! The New York native, Jennifer Aniston looks gorgeous whether wearing a long dress or short - pictured in 2007 (left) and in 2006 (right)

Flaunting it, Jennifer Aniston struck a topless pose in 2005 for the front cover of GQ magazine

Happier times, Jennifer Aniston wore her hair long and straight in 2004 (left) and 2003 (right) - she was also still with Brad Pitt then

From wavy to short, Jennifer Aniston hair has been a variation of the same theme over the years

Ten years of looking great, The actress’ ’hotness’ dates back to 2002 (left) and 2001 (right)