Mariah Carey, the iconic singer, has inspired fans worldwide not only with her vocal talent but also with her dedication to a healthier lifestyle. Her weight loss journey is a testament to the power of balanced nutrition, consistent exercise, and a positive mindset. Mariah's transformation reflects her commitment to overall well-being, combining balanced dieting, regular exercise, and mindfulness practices.
Motivation and Goals
Mariah Carey’s weight loss journey was driven by a desire for a healthier, more fulfilling life. She aimed to enhance her overall health and emotional well-being. Mariah also aimed to boost her self-confidence. The pressures of being in the public eye made maintaining a positive body image crucial. As a performer, maintaining high physical fitness was essential to meet the rigorous demands of her career.
Dietary Changes
A balanced and healthy diet was crucial to Mariah Carey’s weight loss success. She incorporated nutrient-dense meals into her daily routine, providing essential vitamins and minerals without excess calories. Mariah Carey swears by a high-protein, low-carb diet consisting of salmon, capers, and veggies while sticking to 1,500 calories per day. During an interview with E! News, Carey said that she tries "to stick with the proteins. It’s the worst.” The superstar elaborated, saying she mostly eats salmon, and as you can imagine, that could get a bit monotonous. "But it works!" she added. Filling up on protein at your meals can definitely give you prolonged fuel and energy all day-and that's a great thing.
Emphasizing Whole Foods
Mariah focuses on having plenty of organic veggies, meat, and fish, a source told Hollywood Life. She incorporated clean, whole foods in her diet, and increased the quantity of vegetables. Carey said in a 2012 interview that her diet is what's really responsible for her ability to get or stay in shape. “90 percent of losing weight is my diet,” she said. She avoids the processed stuff, eating clean, whole foods with a focus on vegetables.
Limiting Sugar and Carbohydrates
Carey reportedly avoids overdoing it on sugar, and it's been great for her. “The secret to her success has been the one thing she cut out almost completely, and that is processed sugar,” a source told Hollywood Life. Remember: Things like fruit and milk contain natural sugars, whereas candy and cookies and cereals often have added sugars. Foods with the natural stuff generally also have other important nutrients, like fiber, so not every food with sugar is necessarily something to avoid. But overdoing it on added sugar can lead to low energy and weight gain.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
When she has cravings, she eats a little piece of fruit, like some blueberries or mangos," the source said. When Carey wanted to lose weight, she cut out carbs and bread. "As a result, she has lost a ton of weight and is looking and feeling great,” a source told Hollywood Life.
Mindful Indulgences
“Her one guilty pleasure, that she will never stop enjoying, is her wine. She likes to sip on a glass of red or white at the end of a long day and that’s something that Mariah will probably never change,” a source told Hollywood Life.
Exercise Regimen
Cardio exercises like cycling, jogging, and dancing were crucial to her weight loss journey. She also embraced water aerobics as a fun and effective way to stay active. The birth of her twins led to a significant increase in Mariah’s physical activity, further aiding her weight loss efforts.
Regular Workouts
Carey is kinda busy. So, she strives to work out three times a week, according to Us Weekly. Mariah’s never been a huge fan of going to the gym, but she always forces herself to go for a brisk walk everyday, even if it’s on the treadmill,” a source told Hollywood Life.
Variety in Training
Carey told Oprah that her workouts usually last for 60 to 90 minutes and combine cardio with resistance training. To tone her arms, for instance, Carey told Oprah that she uses her own body weight and stretches to sculpt long, lean lines. Carey is big on swimming. "What's great about working out in the pool is the water acts as resistance," she told Oprah. "You're actually exercising twice as hard without feeling it."
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Alternative Exercise Methods
Get down and dirty to look and feel your best. “Mariah’s favorite form of exercise has always been sex,” a source told Hollywood Life. “She loves nothing more than working up a sweat with [her boyfriend] … every morning, which is obviously something he’s very happy to help out with!”
Mental and Emotional Well-being
Her weight loss journey highlights the crucial link between mental health and weight management. Emotional well-being was vital in her ability to lose weight and maintain progress. Mindfulness meditation became a powerful tool for Mariah. Practicing mindfulness helped reduce stress levels, often linked to weight gain, particularly around the abdomen. Improved sleep quality, another benefit of meditation, supported better regulation of hunger hormones, aiding her weight loss efforts. Part of aging gracefully is just being comfortable and stress-free about who you are and where you're at. Carey is great at maintaining this mindset: “I think I have to remain eternally oblivious to age. Honestly, when you put a number on it yourself, it’s just like, Why? Why do that?” she once told People. Want to be ageless? Stop counting the years going by, duh. Carey told The Observer magazine that she's not big on tracking birthdays. She doesn't “count years, but I definitely rebuke them-I have anniversaries, not birthdays, because I celebrate life, darling,” she said. "I think people expecting everybody to be this thin is ridiculous," Carey told Oprah Winfrey. "It just isn't reality." Part of aging gracefully? Just loving who you are, inside and out.
Professional Support
When Carey recently wanted to get in shape, she consulted a nutritionist for help, a source told Hollywood Life. Working with a professional can definitely help build healthy eating habits that may make it easier to be healthy for the long haul as you age. (Obviously, this is not something everyone can swing financially.) Mariah says she has a secret weight loss weapon-her nutrition and fitness coach, Patricia. Patricia tries to cook Mariah's food without using oil and butter. When Patricia told Mariah to cut mac 'n' cheese out of her diet, Mariah says the news broke her heart. Instead, Patricia incorporates lean protein and lots of veggies into Mariah's meals.
Social Support
Support from friends and family was crucial to Mariah Carey’s weight loss journey. She credits her close circle for providing essential emotional support, helping her stay committed to her goals. Mariah believes a supportive network is vital for maintaining commitment and tackling obstacles. Her friends and family provided the accountability and encouragement needed to stay on track with her weight management efforts.
Long-Term Maintenance
Maintaining weight loss is a continuous journey, and Mariah Carey’s approach emphasizes balance and self-compassion. Mindfulness techniques helped her recognize true hunger versus emotional cravings. Professional trainers regularly adapted her fitness plan to meet evolving health goals. This personalized approach ensured effective workouts aligned with her needs. Mariah also included weight training to build muscle and improve strength. Adjusting dietary habits to accommodate lifestyle changes was key to her long-term success. Listening to her body and understanding the importance of balance helped Mariah maintain her weight loss over time.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
Additional Tips and Habits
- Eat Often: Instead of doing three big meals a day, Carey aims for several smaller meals throughout the day, according to Us Weekly.
- Go Easy on Oil and Butter: Carey gave Oprah a peek inside her fridge and shared some tricks from her chef-slash-nutritionist Patricia Gay. Among other things, Patricia tries to cook Carey's food without using oil and butter.