A year after giving birth to twins, Mariah's finally got her post-baby shape back!
The pop diva gained over 70 pounds and reveals in May's "Shape Magazine," it felt like even more -- "If you look at photos me when I was pregnant, you'd say, 'Wow she gained 9000 pounds!"
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Flaunting her enviable curves and toned abs on the cover of "Shape," Mariah admits, just like most new moms, she thought she'd never slim down to her pre-baby weight. "I have such empathy for people, who need to lose a lot of weight, because I know what they're going through. I remember thinking at the time, "I'll never look or feel the same."
Inspired to take off the pounds, Mariah started on the Jenny Craig diet, which also hired her as the brand's ambassador. The program helped her shed 30 pounds in six months. Not bad! But, to really tone up and tighten her post-baby body, Mariah dove into her workout - literally! She does 45 minutes of aquatic exercises 3 or 4 days a week. "Swimming is my favorite form of exercise, which is surprising since I almost drowned in the ocean when I was 6. It was scary, but it didn't traumatize me or deter me from going in again."
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Swimming burns up to 11 calories a minute and works every muscle from your neck down. And, you won't even break a sweat.
Mariah shared with "Shape" a few of her favorite sculpting pool moves.
Butterfly Hug: Stand in chest level water with arms extended at shoulder height out to sides, palms facing down. Jump, bringing knees toward chest, as you press palms together in front of you. Return to starting position. Do 5 reps.
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Mermaid Moment: Place a pool noodle under your chest, so your shoulders are out of the water; extend legs behind you, feet together. Bend knees, then extend legs, propelling yourself across the pool. Continue for 30 second to complete set. For more of Mariah's exercise/wellness tips, check out www.shape.com.
-- Terri MacLeod
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