Michelle Obama’s Fitness Routine and Diet Plan

When Barack Obama was first elected president, the whole country went nuts for Michelle Obama’s shoulders. As a mother of two and a woman soon to reach a certain age, Michelle’s toned and chiseled shoulders and figure defied reason. How did she do it? And how does she continue to do it today?

She Doesn’t Count Calories

First of all, the First Lady doesn’t stick to a strict calorie count each day. Instead, she maintains her weight by being mindful of how she feels. If she’s hungry, she eats something delicious and healthy. If she’s not, she doesn’t. Pretty simple, right? Of course, that’s not her only secret to staying trim and toned.

She Eats Five Small Meals a Day

Instead of sticking to the classic diet of three large meals each day, Michelle actually eats five smaller meals every day. Eating periodically throughout the day helps her keep her blood sugar levels even, and it helps her avoid feeling hungry or crashing after a big meal.

She Works Out First Thing in the Morning

Fitness is a big deal for the First Lady, as you can tell from her Let’s Move! campaign to improve health and fitness in schools and for the whole country. To keep herself from putting off a workout or skipping it entirely, she works out early in the morning when she first wakes up. This way, she starts her day with the boost she gets from exercise and sets herself on the right track for the whole day, both mentally and physically.

While she’s hitting the treadmill or the elliptical, and while she’s doing her resistance training in the mornings, Michelle doesn’t focus on sweating. Instead, she distracts herself and keeps her mind active by watching SportsCenter on TV. So, if you ever find yourself in a conversation with the First Lady, ask her about her opinion on Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow.

She Lifts Weights

Think those stellar arms and shoulders come from an all-cardio workout? Think again. Michelle mixes in a good amount of strength work, and her routine for her arms includes hammer curls, tricep dips, and pushups. She’s not worried about getting “too bulky”, either, because the First Lady understands that women have to work really hard to build the kind of bulky muscles you see on bodybuilders. With regular strength training and weightlifting, she maintains shoulders that women half her age are jealous of.

She Takes Her Workout With her

Finally, when she’s on the road, Michelle doesn’t depend on hotel gyms or other facilities. Instead, she takes a resistance band and a jump rope with her in her suitcase. Then she can do a 30-minute workout every morning, even if she doesn’t have a gym she can get to. Instead, she’ll do jumping jacks, pushups, and use the jump rope for cardio.

Michelle Obama is an inspiration to us all when it comes to fitness, but she’s also shown us that maintaining a great body and excellent health doesn’t have to be that hard.