Almost 30 years into her career, Mariah Carey might be in the best shape of her life.
Carey showed off the effects of a consistent diet and exercise routine in a set of Instagram pictures posted in January 2019, showing her looking radiant in a two-piece swimsuit and wearing minimal makeup.
Considering her openness about the difficulty she’s had with losing weight in the past (she’s confessed to trying all kinds of different diets), the 48-year-old singer’s Instagram photos left us wondering exactly how she’s managed to slim down, and attain one of the most enviable figures in the industry.
Though Carey’s radiance could have plenty to do with her on/off relationship with back-up dancer Bryan Tanaka, the singer-songwriter has disclosed exactly how she maintains her physique in recent interviews—considering life as a mother to twins Moroccan and Monroe can admittedly get hectic.
Here’s everything Carey has done to maintain her famously taut physique.
Fortunately, a source close to Carey told HollywoodLife.com that the singer abides by a completely sugar-free diet and consumes plenty of lean protein.
The source said: “Mariah loves smoked salmon and capers, so she eats a lot of that lean protein, but the secret to her success has been the one thing that she cut out almost completely, and that is processed sugar.
“She has cut out chocolate and other sweets, and when she has cravings, she eats little pieces of fruit, like some blueberries or mangos. She is working out regularly and eating clean, whole foods with a focus on vegetables. She has also cut out carbs and bread.
“As a result, she has lost a ton of weight and is looking and feeling great!”
Carey personally told Us Weekly that after giving birth to her children, she enlisted a full-time dietitian who helps her stick to 1,500 calories a day, especially in times where she needs to quickly shed excess weight.
Instead of eating three meals per day, Carey would snack on multiple smaller meals throughout the day, to keep her energy levels up while also avoiding bloating and tiredness.
Mariah Carey’s Exercise Routine
On the workout front, Mariah Carey is more vigilant than ever before.
Unlike Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé, who credit dancing in shows as a way to stay fit, Mariah is solely a singer on stage—and works out three times a week to stay at the perfect weight, according to Us Weekly.
Carey’s workouts often involve plenty of aerobics, which have been known to release pressure from your bones as well as relaxing your muscles. While aerobics are often unfairly associated with the elderly, Everyday Health reports that it makes your blood more capable of delivering oxygen around your body, as well as reducing chances of cardiovascular disease.
As a full-time performer, physical health is of paramount importance for Carey, so her choice of workout makes plenty of sense. Plus, if her Instagram is anything to go by, she seems pretty happy when she’s in the water.