The Secret To Beyonce's Killer Physique
It's no secret that Beyonce slays at everything she does. Whether it's on stage, on the red carpet, or in her famous Lemonade film, Queen Bey never looks anything less than flawless, exuding a kind of confidence that few other celebs can even come close to. It's no wonder Jay-Z's leading lady has more than 14 million followers on Twitter at the time of this writing, and probably even more fans that are proud to call themselves members of her Beyhive.
Believe it or not, Beyonce works hard at being (or at least looking) oh so good. In fact, Bey admitted to Good Morning America that, just like the rest of us, she too has struggled with diet and exercise. "I am not naturally the thinnest woman," she said. "I have curves. I have struggled with diets and finding something that works for me."
Despite any insecurities, whatever Beyonce is doing is more than working for her. If you want to get a little fitness inspiration from the Queen herself, read on.
She embraces a plant-based diet
Back in 2013, Beyonce joined husband Jay-Z on a 22-day vegan challenge, which was created by her trainer, Marco Borges. During the challenge, Bey indulged in healthy, meat-free meals like vegan bolognese, indian-spiced chard, and pumpkin soup. After workouts, she went with a plant-based option, like asmoothie made of pea protein powder, almond milk, frozen fruit, andspinach.
"The weight stayed off," she said on Good Morning America. And a slimmer frame wasn't the only benefit. "I felt like my skin was really firm, a lot more than when I restricted myself," she added.
She's committed
For Beyonce, maintaining an amazing physique is about much more than just her weight. Even though she did drop an impressive 60 pounds after giving birth to daughter Blue Ivy in 2012, the singer has said that she stays in shape by living a healthy lifestyle. That's why she's made diet and exercise a priority, sticking to her plant-based diets and regular workouts. When she's too busy to hit the gym, Bey's trainer incorporates short, 5-minute workouts into her day.
Beyonce also told Self, "You have to push yourself. It doesn't matter what trainer you have. And it doesn't matter what program you're on. You have to be healthy and make the right choices."
Lots of cardio
Beyonce is known for her high-energy performances. And while she makes these shows look effortless, all that dancing requires plenty of stamina building. To help prepare for her Formation World Tour, Bey's trainer said she did plenty of boxing and running. "Sprints are ideal for buildingstamina and explosiveness, which B needs to move across the stage," trainer Marco Borges told Glamour.
Toning those muscles
Queen Bey didn't get her famous toned derrière from sitting around on the couch. To tone her backside, she does her fair share of weight lifting. Her trainer's favorite move, according to Glamour, is the kettle bell squat-and-press. "It's an exercise that hits all themajor muscles. If you did nothing else, you'd still get a greatworkout," said Borges.
She has fun
Sure, eating right and exercising isn't always the easiest thing to do. That's why Beyonce makes sure to keep her workouts fun. "For me, dancing is what keeps me active," the pop diva said in an interview with Shape. Unsurprisingly, Beyonce often relies on music to keep her workout routines enjoyable. "I'll put on a song that I really like and do [biceps curls with] five-pound weights [for] the whole song and just try to burn out," she told Self.
She cuts herself some slack
At the end of the day, Beyonce is only human, just like the rest of us. Yes, she works hard, but she doesn't put too much pressure on herself. She also has a realistic sense of beauty, which helps her be confident in her own skin. "Everyone is not supposed to be the same," she said in a video for Shape. "Be healthy and take care of yourself, but be happy with the beautiful things that make you you."