Cover Girl Werk: Mary J. Blige Shows Off Amazingly Fit Body at 42 on ‘Shape’ Cover

Photo: Shape

If you are wondering the 411 on how Mary J. Blige got her body so fit and trim then wonder no more; she’s spilling all her secrets to Shape magazine.

On the cover of the December issue, the 42-year-old singer rocks a white bikini, minimal jewelry and abs that are giving us 20 somethings a body to aspire to. So what’s the secret to MJB’s killer bod? Cardio workouts, a gluten-free, dairy-free and low-carb diet and no alcohol.

“Others may be able to drink and have a great time, but it doesn’t work for me at this point,” the “Black Nativity” actress states. She also attributes Whitney Houston‘s death being the cause of her to lay off drinking alcoholic beverages.

“I haven’t had a drink in a year and three months. I had quit for a long time but started again about five years ago,” Blige said. She continues, “I’m off it completely once more, and now I feel stronger than ever. Whitney Houston’s death really crushed me. I saw someone so incredibly talented just diminish, and I refuse to go out like that.”

Blige also recently learned to swim; adding that to her workout routine has done wonders. “At first it was very hard, but once I got in the water and figured out how to breathe, it was so liberating,” she said. I guess I should learn how to swim too to get a body like Mary’s.

Mary J. Blige’s Shape issue will be available on newsstands and iPads on November 25.

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