How Michelle Obama’s Fitness Routine Keeps Her Strong and Energized

We’ve all heard the cliche a gazillion times that “behind every successful man is a woman.” However, Michelle Obama shattered this notion, proving that the woman stands beside the man, hand in hand. While former President Barack Obama led the country in the most inclusive and progressive ways possible, we saw Michelle Obama transform how families and society functioned, making them embrace healthier lifestyles into their routines.

Incredibly inspired by her work as the First Lady, we let our inquisitiveness guide us in finding out whether she “walks the talk” in her personal life.

Having served as the First Lady from 2009 to 2017, this iconic personality is a sheer inspiration and role model, particularly for women who aspire to break gender norms and make it big. Initiatives like “Let Girls Learn” and “Girls Opportunity Alliance” made quite a difference in ensuring that every girl has access to quality education in the country.

In terms of healthcare, she launched the “Let’s Move” campaign during this tenure, encouraging children to shed extra pounds through comprehensive strategies by leaders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The initiative sought to provide healthy, affordable foods in schools, spread awareness among parents and caregivers regarding a healthy lifestyle, and increase physical activity. The kind of awareness this campaign brought about, and its impact on children and parents left us awestruck, to say the least.

But what does Michelle Obama do now at age 60, when she’s no longer the First Lady? And where does she get the energy to make public appearances (including the adorable Waffles + Mochi on Netflix!) looking so stunningly fit? Michelle Obama’s secret is having fresh, nutritious food, including fresh fruits, veggies, and lean proteins. She is also all for strict portion control. “Choosing a healthy diet isn’t about deprivation, it’s about balance. It’s about moderation,” Mrs. Obama told Everyday Health. “Like I tell my kids, as long as you eat fruits and vegetables at every meal, you’ll be okay if you have pizza or ice cream every once in a while,” she added.

The former First Lady also revealed how her exercise regime changed tremendously during COVID-19. While high-impact exercises used to be her jam at one point, she has now switched to swimming, a more low-impact workout activity. “Over quarantine, I actually did teach myself how to be a better lap swimmer because what I’m finding in my old age is that the high-impact stuff that I used to do, as I’m approaching 60, it just doesn’t work,” she told PEOPLE.

Most importantly, whatever workout she opts for, she NEVER skips it. Don’t we all want this kind of self-motivation and discipline in our lives?