Everything Jennifer Lopez did to get the body she has now

From Cosmopolitan

Unbelievably, Jennifer Lopez turned 49 earlier this year (24 July), and to celebrate she posted an Instagram of her in the gym.

And this week, while taking a well-earned break from her Las Vegas residency, the mum-of-two posted a picture of her "just peachy" butt and it is enviable to say the least.

Let's get real: her abs (and legs, and butt, and arms…) have the power to suck you in and make you wonder how the hell can this woman keep looking better, year after year? The answer? A whole lot of hard work and a pretty strict diet. Here's the nitty gritty.

1. Her meals never include processed food

On top of that, almost everything Lopez eats is organic. A typical lunch might include salmon and a salad that's packed with veggies. Broccoli, peppers, and courgette drizzled with vinaigrette is a fave, as is kale with crumbled queso and toasted pumpkin seeds. Come dinnertime, she'll switch up the protein - "I like pork and chicken, especially Puerto Rican style!" she told UsWeekly - and enjoys it with quinoa or baked yams.

2. She snacks smartly

Let's talk about Lopez's schedule: She's got a regular show at Planet Hollywood in Vegas, she stars in NBC's police drama Shades of Blue, and she's a judge on the new dance competition show World of Dance. All this to say, girlfriend is always on the go. It can be really easy to reach for a bag of Cheez-Its, but Lopez knows better. "I always have healthy snacks, like fruits and vegetables, with me," she revealed to People.

3. Chocolate chips are her weakness

When Lopez does indulge, it's not with black bean brownies trying to masquerade as the real deal. The singer's boyfriend Alex Rodriguez revealed on The View that her guilty pleasures are chocolate chip ice cream and chocolate chip cookies.

4. She doesn't stick to just one type of exercise

If you're more Jenny from the block than JLo, you might not be able to afford two personal trainers like the superstar can. When she's in Los Angeles, Lopez works out with Tracy Anderson, who's famous for sculpting the bodies of Gwyneth Paltrow and chef Katie Lee. And in New York, Lopez sees David Kirsch. She loves the fact that they have two completely different approaches - and that's a trick you can pick up even if you're working out solo, in your living room. Kirsch is a fan of planks, push-ups, and boxing, while Anderson says, "we just freestyle." That means lots of small arm weights plus butt and thigh moves that also work her abs.

5. JLo never touches three things

We all have our vices - avocados, chocolate, McDonalds - but Lopez doesn't indulge in any of the usuals. "I don't drink or smoke or have caffeine," she told UsWeekly. On the rare occasion that she does indulge in coffee, it's always decaf.

6. There's a reason her skin still looks so young

And it's what your mum has been telling you for years. "I'm rarely in the sun, but if I am, I wear a lot of sunscreen," Lopez told UsWeekly. Keeping her complexion clear is also a big reason JLo cites for skipping caffeine and alcohol: "That really wrecks your skin as you get older."

7. Jennifer relies on this to beat cravings

"Protein is my go-to," she told Hello!. "It fills me up and keeps me full longer." A lot of times it's how Lopez starts her day. She'll whip up a protein shake with whey powder, along with berries, yogurt, and honey.

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