What Michelle Obama Wants You To Do With Your Girlfriends This Summer

ESSENCE

FLOTUS knows girlfriends who sweat together, stay together.

Lauren Porter Jun, 19, 2017

Former First Lady Michelle Obama has a message for you: grab your girls and enjoy group workouts this summer.

The Chicago native posted a gallery of images on Instagram Monday morning showing her with her girlfriends enjoying one of their favorite pastimes during the Obamas’ eight years in the White House.

“When I was at the White House, I often hosted bootcamp weekends for my close girlfriends,” FLOTUS began.

“It didn’t matter that we were all at varying fitness levels. Our bootcamp weekends were a reminder that if we want to keep taking care of others, we need to take care of ourselves first. And even though I’m no longer at the White House, I’ve continued this tradition and wanted to share some photos. My girlfriends have been there for me through all kinds of life transitions over the years – including a pretty big one recently! – and we’ve done our best to stay healthy together. Whether it’s a bootcamp or a walk around the neighborhood, I hope you and your crew can find some time this summer to be healthy together.”

When I was at the White House, I often hosted bootcamp weekends for my close girlfriends. It didn’t matter that we were all at varying fitness levels. Our bootcamp weekends were a reminder that if we want to keep taking care of others, we need to take care of ourselves first. And even though I’m no longer at the White House, I've continued this tradition and wanted to share some photos. My girlfriends have been there for me through all kinds of life transitions over the years – including a pretty big one recently! – and we’ve done our best to stay healthy together. Whether it’s a bootcamp or a walk around the neighborhood, I hope you and your crew can find some time this summer to be healthy together.

A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Jun 19, 2017 at 7:50am PDT

While serving as First Lady, Mrs. Obama was sincerely passionate about being a role model for women and often encouraged a healthy lifestyle which included eating right and getting adequate amounts of exercise with her Let’s Move initiative.

In 2008, the 53-year-old said being active is a great stress reliever and it’s a mode of therapy she recommends to all.

“Exercise is really important to me—it’s therapeutic. So if I’m ever feeling tense or stressed or like I’m about to have a meltdown, I’ll put on my iPod and head to the gym or out on a bike ride along Lake Michigan with the girls.”

We’re glad to see Mrs. Obama is keeping her passions first and encouraging squads everywhere to get up, get out and get healthy this summer!