Armed & Glamorous

As a career-committed Harvard law school graduate and wife and mother of two young children, she has proven that you can never be to busy to find the time to stay fit and glamorous. Just look at those toned arms! They are a symbol of her level of commitment, strength, confidence, and determination to herself as well as her family.

Recently she’s graced the covers of Vogue, Newsweek and People magazines wearing sleeveless numbers. Some fashion critics have teased her a little bit about showing those arms in the sleeveless attire during the winter season.

But I say, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it.” Always dressed appropriately for the occasion, Michelle Obama is a Momoicious head turner who many times draws the attention away from her husband. Why? She looks so fantastic. What is showing off a little tone in your biceps and triceps going to do? Come on. What Mom in the world doesn't want sleek toned arms like Michelle Obama?

So how can you be “Armed & Glamorous” like Michelle Obama?

Strength Training

“I go to the gym three times a week — as often as I can, really. I work with a fabulous trainer for about an hour each session. We do a lot of cardio and weight training. For me, exercise is more than just physical — it’s therapeutic” says our Mom-In-Chief.

Through strength training Michelle Obama shows us that you can be toned and strong at the same time. Moms, you can’t shy away from strength training, because you're afraid of big muscles. During an average day in the White House, she and the president get up at 5:30 a.m. and usually work out and have breakfast.

I recommend moderate intensity cardio for 30 minutes, five times a week or vigorous intensity cardio for 20 minutes, three times a week. Both cardio exercises and strength training are needed to speed up metabolism and burn body fat.

Even if your goal is just the upper body, you want to train all major muscles. Why? If you fail to strengthen the entire body, it limits lean mass. When you strength train, you are building lean body mass and decreasing body fat. Strength training increases muscle mass and revs up the body to burn fat at a higher rate, allowing for the lean muscle definition to show.

Mom's you can't expect to have lean toned arms without training your entire body. I recommend using suitable dumbbells (5 – 10 pounds) and doing 12 to 15 reps for 3 sets of the particular arm exercise of both biceps and triceps at a minimum of twice a week.

Some trainers suggest training each body part once a week, but with proper rest and nutrition you can train that body part for more definition twice a week. I personally train my biceps, triceps, and shoulders twice a week. The way you can Maximize Your MomFit™ is to get into a regular routine of working your body 3 to 4 times a week.

Healthy Meals

So how does a normal woman, who doesn't have a personal trainer or healthy meals from the White House chefs, get tight and taut biceps?

Focusing on a nice, balanced diet, with lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, is the way to maintain a healthy physique. When you're trying to maintain muscles, choose lean protein, like fish, chicken without the skin, eggs, and beans. Those are great sources of protein. The protein portions should be at least 4 ounces during a meal. Also remember to look at the calories, protein, sugar, and fat content on food labels.

It sounds complex, but you can have toned and sexy arms at any age regardless of your current fitness level if you incorporate strength training and healthy eating into your daily routine. For or Mom-In-Chief, her hair, her makeup, and her style are all apart of being her being “Glamorous”, but in the end she’s “Armed” because she puts in the hard work in keeping the proper balance of exercise and nutrition.

Redefine Your Momness!™

For more information on being “Armed & Glamorous” like our First Lady, check out the MomFit Training Program™ at one of our participating Gyms, Fitness Centers, and Athletic Clubs.