Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop," captivated audiences worldwide with his electrifying performances and groundbreaking music. His physical fitness and stamina were essential to his captivating stage presence. This article delves into Michael Jackson's diet and exercise routine, examining various accounts and insights from those who worked closely with him.
Conflicting Accounts of Jackson's Eating Habits
Following Michael Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, questions arose regarding his health, particularly concerning his eating habits. Some reports suggested a possible eating disorder, fueled by the singer's gaunt appearance in newly released concert rehearsal videos. While autopsy results documenting his weight at the time of his death were not immediately available, speculation about his dietary habits circulated in the media.
Those close to Jackson offered differing perspectives on his eating habits. Kevin McLin, a family friend and Jackson's former publicist, stated that Jackson was "just careful about what he ate" and "tried to be healthy." McLin described a diet consisting of turkey burgers, Chinese food, and a variety of vegetables, with an effort to avoid red meat.
Mike LaPerruque, a security specialist who worked for Jackson at different times between 2001 and 2008, corroborated this view. LaPerruque stated that he "never saw any signs of any kind of eating disorder" and that Jackson consistently ate healthy meals consisting of chicken, brown rice, and vegetables.
However, other accounts painted a different picture. Randy Phillips, CEO of concert promoter AEG, mentioned that a concert director would "cut [Jackson's] chicken breast" for him, implying a degree of dependence. Phillips also stated that he hired someone "whose sole purpose was to remind him to eat" in the week leading up to Jackson's death.
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Lou Ferrigno, Jackson's trainer for his upcoming tour, claimed that Jackson "only ate once a day". This statement suggests a potentially restrictive eating pattern that deviated from the "healthy" image portrayed by others.
Vegetarianism and Dietary Preferences
There are conflicting reports regarding whether Michael Jackson adhered to a vegetarian diet throughout his life. Some sources claim he was "for the most part of his life a vegetarian," while others assert that he stopped being a vegetarian around the "Dangerous Era." The existence of anecdotes about Jackson consuming KFC further complicates the matter.
Despite the conflicting information, it's clear that Jackson was conscious of his diet and, at least at times, made efforts to eat healthily.
Jackson's Exercise Regimen
Regardless of his dietary habits, Michael Jackson's demanding performances required a significant level of physical fitness. Dancing was a central component of his exercise routine. In an interview, Jackson himself admitted to disliking traditional workouts, stating, "I hate exercise. I hate it so much. The only thing I do is dance. That's an exercise." He also expressed an affinity for "karate stuff or kung fu" because he considered it a form of dance.
Despite his aversion to conventional exercise, Jackson recognized the need to prepare physically for his tours. Witnesses have said that he did work out. There are accounts of him bulking up with protein drinks and other supplements before tours to compensate for the weight he would lose during performances.
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Lou Ferrigno, who trained Jackson for his final tour, focused on flexibility and conditioning exercises. According to Ferrigno, Jackson "didn't want to weight train," so their workouts primarily involved exercise balls, core training, treadmill and stretching exercises. Ferrigno also stated that Jackson was "very energetic" during workouts and "was in fantastic shape," despite being "a little thin because he was under a lot of stress training for the tour."
The Role of Stress and External Factors
Stress appears to have significantly impacted Michael Jackson's health and well-being. Ferrigno noted that Jackson was "a little thin because he was under a lot of stress training for the tour." The pressure to deliver exceptional performances and meet the expectations of his fans likely contributed to his weight loss and overall physical condition.
Ian Halperin, who wrote a biography on Jackson, claimed that the singer suffered from a rare lung disorder and had only six months to live. While Jackson's representatives denied these claims, they highlight the potential health challenges that Jackson may have faced in his final years.
Fasting and Other Practices
Reports also surfaced regarding Michael Jackson's practice of periodic fasting. His publicist mentioned that Jackson had been following his routine of periodic fasting before being hospitalized for chest pains. While doctors stated that there was "usually no connection between fasting and Jackson’s condition," the practice raises concerns about potential health risks associated with unsupervised fasting.
Experts warn that self-imposed, unsupervised fasting can negatively impact the body, potentially leading to sluggishness, fatigue, muscle cramps, dehydration, lightheadedness, and even heart problems.
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