Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of NBC’s Today show, has become a beloved figure known for her warmth, humor, and relatability. Over the years, she has openly shared aspects of her life, from her childhood to her career milestones. Among the most inspiring of these shared experiences is her journey toward improved health and fitness. Eschewing quick fixes like diet pills and surgery, Jenna has embraced a gradual, sustainable approach to weight loss, focusing on dietary adjustments and consistent exercise. Her journey underscores that weight loss is not about extremes but rather about embracing a holistic approach to well-being.
A Shift in Mindset
Jenna’s weight loss journey didn’t originate from a sudden desire to change her appearance but from a more profound commitment to self-care. She has emphasized that her weight loss was deeply connected to a shift in mindset, rather than being solely focused on physical changes. Like many, Jenna had struggled with societal pressures and body image concerns. “The key was realizing that it wasn’t just about losing weight; it was about feeling good in my skin and being healthy,” Jenna shared in a 2024 interview.
In a January 2023 segment on Today about body image, Jenna candidly revealed that her late grandmother, Barbara Bush, once told her that she looked “chubby” while wearing a bikini. She also explained how her mother always thought of her sister as the really beautiful one and would say it. ‘Martha’s the pretty one. You’re the funny one. You’re the smart one.’ Jenna’s grandmother died in April 2018 at the age of 92. Eventually, her mindset changed, and she decided it was time to let the words go. “After having three kids, three C-sections, [I did it],” the Texas native revealed about wearing bikinis again.
Dietary Changes: Embracing Clean and Nutritious Foods
One of the central aspects of Jenna’s weight loss journey was making significant changes to her eating habits. She’s always been transparent about her food choices, and she emphasizes the importance of eating clean and nutritious foods. Rather than resorting to extreme dieting or restrictive food plans, Jenna chose a more balanced and sustainable approach. She incorporates nutrient-dense foods, like vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, into her daily meals. Her diet is also characterized by mindfulness-listening to her body’s needs rather than following external rules.
Jenna starts every morning with the basics: water, coffee and a green juice. Water, of course, comes first. “I keep a water bottle by my coffee machine. While I’m making my coffee I make myself chug it,” she explains. Jenna practices intermittent fasting, so in lieu of breakfast, she opts for a scoop of Amazing Grass Green Superfood Powder in a glass of water, which provides 2 servings of fruits and vegetables in each scoop. Her mornings set the tone for her whole day. Amazing Grass Greens Blend“The rest of the day just falls into place,” she explains.
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Mid-day, Jenna usually goes with some type of salad-but she’s not too particular about what goes into it. “It’s all over the place, but some type of protein, beans, broccoli, and a ton of vegetables,” she says. Fun fact: Jenna loves broccoli, though her grandfather was known for hating it. If she needs a little boost, Jenna reaches Chobani yogurt with peanut butter and almonds. But she doesn’t do it that often, actually. “I’m not a huge snacker,” Jenna said. Jenna eats dinner with her kids each night. in the Bush Hager household. Usually that means fish, broccoli, or tacos with lean turkey. “My kids are usually like, tacos again? But I’m like, [they’re] the best.” Jenna says.
Consistent Exercise: Making Fitness a Priority
While diet played a key role, Jenna also placed a strong emphasis on regular physical activity. Her workout routine is grounded in consistency rather than intense daily workouts. In particular, one of Jenna’s favorite routines is walking on a treadmill. “I walk at 3 miles per hour with a 12% incline for 45 minutes. Sometimes, I carry light weights to intensify the workout,” she said.
“I work out first thing in the morning,” Jenna says. “That’s my new thing.” Jenna heads to the gym at NBC to exercise-which varies from day-to-day. She oscillates between using a Peloton, or lifting weights, but she also likes to mix it up. “I’m obsessed with jumping on mini trampolines or doing dance cardio,” she says. “But those things are hard to do before work.”
Jenna has made working out a non-negotiable part of her daily life. She wakes up early each day, prioritizing her fitness before diving into the demands of her career. There is no doubt that Jenna Bush Hager is a very busy woman. If she's not co-hosting Today With Hoda & Jenna on the Today show with Hoda Kotb, she's working on her popular book club, raising her three children-Mila, Poppy, and Hal-or caring for her cat Hollywood and new kitten Mango. Yup, this star's schedule is packed all day, every day. That #workingmom life can take a toll on just about anyone, and Jenna said it’s gotten the best of her wellness routine in the past. “I have to be really cognizant of what I put in my body, and I think I realized [in the past] that I wasn’t doing that to the best of my ability,” the talk show host told Women’s Health. “My kids were eating really healthy, and I was just grabbing whatever I could.” These days, the 42-year-old has plenty of hacks to keep her energized and fulfilled through all the day throws at her.
The Mental and Emotional Aspects of Weight Loss
Jenna has not shied away from sharing the mental and emotional aspects of her weight loss journey. She also stresses the importance of mental resilience. “It’s not just about the physical changes. It’s about being mentally strong and keeping a positive outlook,” she revealed in a candid moment. For Jenna, developing mental resilience was just as important as the physical changes she made. In the past, Jenna had admitted to struggling with emotional eating, a common challenge for many people. But over time, she learned how to break that pattern. “It wasn’t about the food; it was about my emotions,” she said.
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She unwinds with self-help books.“I love a self-help book,” Jenna said when Women’s Health asked if she had any favorites. “There’s a million.” Her three current faves are Fair Play by Eve Rodsky, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer, and Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty. On the Instagram account for her book club with the Today Show, "Read with Jenna," she frequently shares the books she’s reading that month in hopes for followers to read and join in on the conversation in the comments of her posts. Jenna also shares the books written by authors she’s interviewed on her podcast, Read with Jenna.
The first thing Jenna does when she wakes up is hit the bathroom. (I mean, don’t we all?) But afterward, the 42-year-old makes time to meditate. “I do an active breathing exercise every morning,” she says. Instead of an app, Jenna uses a special recording she has saved on her phone.
Navigating Societal Pressures and Body Image
As a public figure, Jenna is constantly in the spotlight. This can make the journey even more complicated, as there is a tendency for people to scrutinize every decision or change. Throughout her journey, Jenna has faced societal pressures, particularly regarding her weight. “I used to feel like I had to meet these expectations, but now I know that my health is what matters most,” she reflected. Jenna’s openness about her journey serves as an inspiration to many who feel the weight of societal pressures.
During the interview, Clarkson showed the twin sisters a throwback photo where they were dressed identically as children, and Jenna couldn't help but critique their fashion choices. "Those drop waist things were popular," she said of their dresses. Clarkson agreed, adding, "Which is not good for girls with curves later on."When Jenna remarked that she and her sister "were chubby," Clarkson quickly interjected and said, "You were not.""Well, we were," Jenna continued."Uh, what?!" Clarkson responded.Barbara then clarified that she and her sister weren't chubby in the photo Clarkson had just shown."Not there, but I was," Jenna insisted.Puzzled, Clarkson replied, "I'm like, 'I don't think you know what chubby is.'"Jenna turned to her twin sister and asked her once again if she was chubby as a child, but she said, "No.""Barbara, I was," Jenna continued. Still, Clarkson wasn't so sure. "You can’t ask someone that. (Barbara's) not going to be like, ‘You were a chub club,’" the singer quipped.Barbara then underscored the fact that Jenna wasn't "chubby" in the photo Clarkson had shown."No, not there. But in my life, was I chubby?" Jenna asked her sister. "Well, there was a stage," Barbara conceded. "Thank you," Jenna said.Clarkson then gave Jenna a high five and said, "I've had many (chubby) stages.""It was college. It wasn’t (when this photo was taken)," Barbara said, as Jenna made a face in response. When asked if their mom always liked to dress them in identical clothing, the sisters said she did for a while, but Jenna said they "rebelled" later on."And then we took each other's clothes instead," Barbara said. "Although now I can't fit into her clothes," Jenna added. "I don't fit into mine," Clarkson interjected. "Here's the thing. Jeans are so hard … when you have a butt and smaller waist."
Clarkson is no stranger to the body-shaming that comes with weight fluctuations. She opened up to Glamour UK in 2020 about, how even at her lowest weight, she was pressured to be smaller. She said magazines were "shoved in front" of her and she was told by people she worked with, "This is what you’re competing with and we’ve got to compete with it.""I can’t compete with that," she said. "That’s not even my image. That’s not who I am.
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An Ongoing Journey: Balance and Progress
Jenna’s weight loss journey is far from over. For her, the goal is not perfection but progress. She continues to prioritize balance, making time for exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and managing her mental health. In 2024, Jenna revealed that her approach to fitness had evolved. She now combines various activities, from strength training to yoga, with regular meditation sessions that help her stay centered. “I’ve realized that taking care of my body also means taking care of my mind,” she said.
Her main defense is a pretty obvious one: hydration. Jenna sips constantly throughout the day. “The key is drinking a ton [of water], right?” Jenna says. “During the show, I try to remind myself [to drink water] as often as I can.”