Mary J. Blige is 50 years old and looking better than ever. The two-time Oscar-nominated actress, whose music career spans over 25 years, recently uploaded a bikini picture to her Instagram, and to say that she looked great would be an understatement.
Sporting a golden-biking, the Grammy-award winning songstress made it clear that she’ll continue to defy age by looking younger and healthier as the years go on. So what’s her secret? It’s simple – just take care of your body.
Mary J. Blige’s Anti-Aging Secrets
1. She lifts weights
Speaking to Shape Magazine, the Umbrella Academy star revealed that she lifts weights three times a week, making sure to focus on her arms, legs, and glutes.
Mary J Blige/ Instagram
Now, while there are a few women who opt out of using weights due to their fear of appearing too masculine, it’s important to note that this is not always the case. Not only can you lift weights without worrying about building too much muscles, but it also has wonderful benefits for your body. This includes encouraging fat loss, reducing stress, and even reducing your risk of heart disease (1).
2. Cardio is her go-to
Speaking to shape, Mary J. Blige revealed that she makes sure to do a serious cardio workout, running 4 miles, multiple days a week. “My main exercise is cardio,” she shared “The treadmill is fine but running outdoors gives me the best results. I try to log 6 to 8 miles a week. I could be in the worst mood, but when I do my cardio I feel much, much better.”
The heightened mood that the songstress feels after a run is a result of endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals that the body releases after a workout. The release of endorphins is only one of the many benefits that cardio workouts can provide. In addition to strengthening your heart health, cardio workouts can also do the same for your lungs as well as your immune system.
3. She swims
Mary J Blige/ Instagram
Considering the number of bikini pictures she’s constantly uploading, this may not come as a surprise.
“At first it was very hard, but once I got in the water and figured out how to breathe, it was so liberating,” she said. Jumping in the pool isn’t only a fun way to do cardio, as well as cool down, but it can also help to tone your muscles and build endurance.
4. She eats clean
Mary does her best to eat clean, opting to follow a gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb diet.
Now if that sounds a little too drastic for you, you can do the easiest thing and adopt a plant-based diet. Doing so will help to improve your health, as well as greatly reduce your risk for a number of chronic diseases, most notably heart disease and diabetes.
5. She stays clear of alcohol
Dry January, anyone?
In 2014, Blige revealed that she made the conscious decision to reduce her alcohol intake after being scared straight following the 2012 death of her friend, music legend Whitney Houston. It wasn’t long before she completely cut alcohol out of her diet.
“Others may be able to drink and have a great time, but it doesn’t work for me at this point,” she explained. “…I’m off it completely once more, and now I feel stronger than ever.”
Cutting alcohol from your diet is sure to improve your health as doing so can help to improve your skin, reduce your blood pressure, improve liver health, and even help you shed a few pounds.
Want to know more?
Jennifer Lopez is another songstress whose appearance always leaves the public drowning with admiration. That said, the actress recently revealed that she’s never actually had any Botox done, leaving us to wonder what the secret is to her glowing and ageless appearance?
