At 48, Jennifer Lopez has not only established a successful career as an actor, singer, dancer and fashion designer, but she also runs a production company, as well as a non-profit organization called the Lopez Family Foundation, which strives to increase the quality of healthcare available to women and children across the United States. Between the value she has added to the music, film, dance and fashion industries, and her philanthropic ventures, J.Lo has inadvertently become one of the most influential women of our times.
In fact, in 2012 Forbes ranked her as the 38th most powerful woman in the world. While a rise to fame did bring many good things to this young entrepreneur, having a positive body image was something she had to teach herself. She shares in an exclusive interview with Huffington Post: “When I first started on television [as a young girl on In Living Color], people, and even my own manager at the time, would tell me I had to make all of these changes. But you have to stand up and say, ‘There’s nothing wrong with me or my shape or who I am; you’re the one with the problem!’ And when you can really believe that, all of a sudden other people start believing too.”
While J.Lo has always been known for her curves, she’s also been known for her active lifestyle – keeping fit and healthy is a top priority. It should come as no surprise that one of her favorite activities is, of course, dance.
“When my confidence is lagging, I dance,”
That’s what she tells HELLO!. “There’s something about seeing what my body is capable of and feeling the endorphin rush that comes with a good dance session that really helps boost my mood. I still consider myself a dancer at heart, and I love it.” Local fitness expert and owner of Optimal Fitness and Lifestyle, Blake Dismore, couldn’t agree more. “Dance works as an incredible form of exercise that should be done from a young age. Besides learning movement patterns, flexibility and co-ordination, dance is fantastic for building strength endurance.” Click here to find out how dancing can physically alter your brain.
J.Lo also works out regularly.
Her go-to fitness pros are Tracy Anderson and David Kirsch, both of whom are recognized for creating customized workouts for each client’s individual needs and goals. Dismore says that while there is no harm in doing standardized workouts, being assessed by a health professional and getting guidance on which direction to take when following general programs can assist in ensuring that you are not putting yourself at risk without knowing it. For J.Lo, a customized fitness routine, diet and lifestyle have allowed her to fully realize and embrace the potential of her body type. “It’s hard to avoid comparing yourself to others,” she reveals in an interview with HELLO!, “and I’ve definitely been guilty of it myself. I remember thinking I wasn’t thin enough, because I had curves. But I’ve learned that being healthy and feeling great aren’t about having one specific body type; it’s a completely individual thing.”
J.Lo’s philosophy has led her to her next business venture: a range of supplements designed with BodyLab that aims to help women improve their workouts and get the best results for their body types. BodyLab is a research-based line of health and fitness formulas that have been designed specifically for women. They strive to use purely plant-based compounds that are known to help you burn excess fat while still giving your body the nutrition it needs. The brand does not believe in using creatine or any other ingredients that could potentially disrupt your hormones.
Jessica Pieterse, a dietician at Nutritional Solutions, adds: “Meal replacement shakes can be used as a quick and convenient option when a meal based on fresh whole foods is not feasible. Shakes may be helpful when a person is under time constraints, there is a lack of cooking or preparation equipment available, or if food safety is a concern when traveling. It is important to remember that fresh whole foods should always make up the majority of one’s diet, as they provide a vast variety of nutrients in the optimum form and composition.”
Here are Pieterse’s Top tips for choosing the right supplement
1. Critique a meal replacement shake by reading the package label. Avoid products that have long very ingredient lists. This can mean that the product is more processed and has several additives and preservatives.
2. Aim for a shake that is lower in refined sugars. Note that 4g of sugar is equal to 1 teaspoon.
3. Most shakes are very low in fibre, so look for options with added fibre or add your own, such as psyllium or beta-glucan.
4. Aim for a shake that is as close as possible in nutrient composition to a balanced meal. Try to aim for about 14-21g protein, 7-15g carbohydrates, 0-5g fat, <4g sugar, and 5-8g fibre per serving.
Besides her fitness regime, J.Lo also ensures that the rest of her lifestyle is balanced, so she’s always red-carpet-ready. “I [also] follow a healthy diet and don’t drink, smoke or have any caffeine,” she says in an interview with In Style. Both alcohol and coffee are diuretics that lead to an increase in water loss. This loss of hydration will make your skin slightly less full and smooth. So, you should aim to have at least 1.5-2 liters of water a day to keep hydrated – despite coffee and alcohol intake. “Aim for a diet that is high in fruit and vegetables, as they contain antioxidants which will aid in skin health. Vitamin C and iron also support the turnover of collagen, which forms part of healthy skin,” says Pieterse.
While J.Lo may always be on the go, she’s proven that practicing body confidence and enhancing natural beauty can be done holistically. She adds in her interview with In Style: “I also definitely think beauty comes from within – you have to keep your mind, soul, body and spirit in sync. I am a firm believer in meditating, and when you are happy and feel joy and love, you radiate beauty.”
Lack of self-confidence? Click here to find out why you’re not alone – and what you can do to change that.
