Pregnancy weight gain is extremely common and highly expected. However, most mothers often have a hard time getting rid of the excess weight post-pregnancy. When Janet Jackson got pregnant in 2016, she thought losing the excess weight might be nearly impossible without cardio.

As per an article on Body Network, Jackson revealed the intense fitness routine she followed to lose 70 pounds.

Although most people immediately think of cardio when they imagine weight loss, Jackson steered clear of it. For starters, she worked with a personal trainer, Paulette Sybliss, who helped her get back in shape within six weeks post-birth. She focused on strength training, relying on deadlifts, squats, push-ups, and planks.

"We were training a minimum of four times a week, and the sessions were never less than 45 minutes, no more than an hour. Very intense, though. Very intense training,” Paulette revealed during an exclusive interview with E! News.

Under the guidance of her trainer, she prioritized weight training, as per Body Network. This not only helped her lose weight and tone up, but was also great for her cardiovascular health.

Alongside following a four-day strength training, zero-cardio routine, Jackson focused on healthy eating. The combination of the two helped her healthily lose 70 pounds without causing any stress on her body.

How to eat healthy and lose weight: tips from Janet Jackson’s personal trainer

Whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle, or maintain a toned physique, nutrition is the most important aspect.

Most people finally understand the importance of protein nowadays. Back in the day, when Paulette helped Jackson lose her excess weight post-pregnancy, she designed a protein-rich meal plan.

A healthy combination of protein, macronutrients, healthy fats, and carbs was her focus.

As per the same E! News interview, Paulette shared how nutrition is the key to any body goals. She revealed that nutrition plays an 80% role in weight management, and workouts are only 20% of it.

"The way I train my clients is nutrition is about 80%. I believe that if you're eating well 90/95% of the time, you can eat in moderation anything that you want. So, I don't set her a cheat day at all," she said.

Much to Jackson’s delight, Paulette did not put her on a super-restrictive meal plan. Rather, she was allowed to indulge in cheat meals every once in a while.

The key here is moderation.

"So, I believe everything in moderation. If she wants to have it, go ahead and have it. I'm not looking and saying, 'Why are you eating that?' You go ahead and eat it. A majority of the time, she's really eating well."

Did you ever follow a workout routine or diet plan to lose a large amount of weight in a short time? Share your story with us in the comments.

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Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi