Shakira's Amazing Body Secrets

Steal her shape-up tips and get a bod as amazing as Shakira's--even if you didn't just pop out a baby! Go behind the scenes at Shakira's cover shoot!
by Erin Bried

Have a goal.

Shakira's: Be camera-ready for The Voice just about two months after welcoming son Milan with her pro-soccer-player boyfriend, Gerard Piqué, 26. "After the delivery, you look like a shar-pei!" says the singer, 36, who spent a month at home in Barcelona getting back in shape.

Shake it.
"I did Zumba throughout my pregnancy," Shakira says. (We love the mental image.) "That helped me not gain too much weight." Post-baby, she did Zumba four to five mornings a week and even trained privately with its creator and CEO, Beto Perez, for a week.

Push yourself.
"Two minutes of ab work isn't enough," says the star, who focused on tightening her stomach throughout her workouts.

See more: 6 Moves To Resize Your Butt and Thighs

Rock what you got.
"I'm quite proud of my rear," Shakira says. To tone it, Kaiser had her hold a plié and squeeze her glutes 30 times. And cardio dance moves, Kaiser adds, helped create "more well-rounded" legs than she'd get only by running or on the elliptical.

Eat.
Shakira had eight small meals a day (200-250 calories each). Fiber filled her up; protein, calcium, iron and fish oil built muscle

Be positive.
"I don't obsess over my flaws, because I see my body as a whole," Shakira says. "Besides, I think men appreciate confidence more than perfection." Copy that!

See more: 5 Simple Steps to Cellulite-Free Skin

HOW TO GET SHAKIRA'S ABS

Cow Crunches
Start on all fours, back flat, knees under hips, palms under shoulders. Inhale, rounding back, imagining that you're pulling your navel toward your spine (as shown). Exhale as you return to start for one rep. Do 30 quick reps.

Belly-Blasting Taps
Sit with knees bent, toes touching floor, arms extended in front of you; lean back until abs engage. Reach hands forward as you bring toes 4 inches off floor (as shown). Return to start for one rep. Do 15 reps.

Sit & Reach
Balance on a stability ball, toes out and hands behind head. Lean right, extending left arm overhead and reaching right elbow toward right knee (as shown). Return to start; repeat on opposite side for one rep. Do 15 reps.

Standing Knee-Ups

Start with feet hip-width apart, right toe out, arms extended overhead. Lift right knee so thigh is parallel to floor as you bring elbows to knee (as shown). Return to start; repeat on opposite side for one rep. Do three sets of 15 reps.

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