Singer Mary J Blige's prominent tattoos get airbrushed off for new cover shoot celebrating her figur
Mary J Blige's disappearing act: Singer's prominent tattoos get airbrushed off for
new cover shoot celebrating her figure
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When Mary J Blige posed for the January cover of Shape magazine to celebrate being in the best physical condition of her life, apparently there was a caveat.
The 42-year-old, who has long been a fan of body art, amassing seven tattoos over the years, became a victim of overzealous Photoshopping as her famous inkings were airbrushed off her toned physique.
The large single-stemmed rose that normally takes pride of place on her right thigh was completely absent from the cover image, as well as all the shots inside the magazine as she demonstrated her favourite workout moves.
Fighting fit: Singer Mary J Blige revealed her trim and toned physique at 42 in the new issue of Shape, though her famous arm and leg tattoos were suspiciously absent after becoming a victim of Photoshopping
'I love the way I look and feel': On Sunday, the star had her arm tattoos on full display as she attended the Christmas tree-lighting event at West Hollywood's The Grove
A cross with a rose design was also notably absent from her left forearm, while another on her right arm that spells out her name in Gothic lettering circling her bicep was also a thing of the past.
Unfortunately, the decision not to showcase the Grammy-winner in all her natural glory detracts from the fact that she is looking and feeling a million bucks having finally found peace with her body.
The star admits in the accompanying article that she was spurred into action to get into shape following the shocking death of legendary superstar and her good friend Whitney Houston in February last year from a suspected accidental overdose.
The singer ditched alcohol for good 15 months ago and overhauled her life completely with the help of a new personal trainer.
'I'm off it completely once more, and now I feel stronger than ever!' she tells the new issue of Shape magazine. 'Whitney Houston's death really crushed me. I saw someone so incredibly talented just diminish, and I refuse to go out like that.'
'I love the way I look and feel': On Sunday, the star had her arm tattoos on full display as she attended the Christmas tree-lighting event at West Hollywood's The Grove
Though the Grammy winner singer has been exercising 'religiously since 1997', she says she felt her age was working against her maintaining her desired level of fitness.
'When I'm fit, I can conquer the world,' she January cover girl tells the publication. 'I love the way I look and feel right now and am truly comfortable in my own skin.'
During her career, the songstress has displayed rock-hard abs, a heavier, more curvy frame and everything in between, which is not surprising when you live your life on a tour bus and in hotels.
Working out with trainer Mark Jenkins in the late '90s, Mary says she quickly 'got ripped' and was determined to keep up that new lifestyle, but her body had other ideas.
Yo-yoing: The Family Affair hitmaker flaunted her rock-hard abs in 2005 (left), but by 2010, the star was covering up in unflattering jeggings and sweaters as she took to the stage
'Once I reached that goal, I wanted to be fit forever. Unfortunately, as I got older, I found it was harder to maintain,' she admits. 'As you age, your body really wants to hold on to extra weight.'
In March this year, she teamed up with New York-based JR Allen, who also owns wellness company
2 Day Be Fit, and began to see results she could previously only dream of.
'He really pushed me to lift that weight one more time or run that extra mile.'
The star credits her new-found lean figure to intensive cardio workouts consisting of running 'six to eight miles a week' along with strength training and core work.
'The treadmill is fine, but running outdoors gives me the best results,' she says, though she insists being healthy and in shape is her main priority, rather than losing weight.
'I hate being out of shape!' Four months later, the songstress was still rocking a curvier figure - and her rose thigh tattoo - though she didn't let a few excess pounds stop her from donning fun, flirty playsuits
'I hate being out of shape! But I don't exercise just to lose weight. It makes me feel better when I get that run in. I could be in the worst mood, but when I do my cardio I feel much, much better.'
Of course, a balanced diet also plays a huge part in overall health and fitness, and Mary has overhauled her eating habits to cut out gluten and dairy, while she also limits her carb intake.
'I'm pretty diligent. I just can't eat the way I used to,' she reveals.
A typical breakfast usually consists of oatmeal or an egg-white omelet with spinach; lunch is salad with grilled chicken or chicken sausage and brown rice or potatoes; fish and steamed vegies is often on the menu for dinner, while the hitmaker also drinks 'probably half a gallon' of water every day.
Along with conquering her demons, she also finally conquered a life-long fear by learning to swim - something she now thoroughly enjoys and has incorporated into her fitness regime.
Lifestyle overhaul: The Grammy-winner - seen here on September 10 - now sticks to a gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb diet and enjoys cardio workouts as she admits, 'I can't eat the way I used to'
'I never swam as a kid and that always bothered me. At first, it was very hard, but once I got in the water and figured out how to breathe, it was so liberating.
'Now it's helping me with every aspect of my life - personally and professionally. Conquering that fear was a huge boost to my confidence. I'm as proud of this accomplishment as I would be if I had graduated from college, which I never got to do.
'I had an "aha!" moment recently after a swim. I was walking by a mirror and I saw my abs, and they were crazy toned, and my arms looked unbelievable - in a good way,' she beams. 'I was thrilled and so proud of myself.'
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