'Playing the long game': Carrie Underwood no longer focusses on being 'a certain size' while working out
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Carrie Underwood's fitness goals "have shifted" as a result of juggling motherhood and a busy touring schedule as a successful country music star. The 39-year-old singer recently opened up about how her mindset towards working out has changed over the years.
"I feel like earlier in my career I was working out more to be a certain size or fit into a certain aesthetic that I thought I wanted to be," she told PEOPLE, referring to starting her singing career at the age of 22 after winning American Idol. "And now I feel like I work out more to be strong and to have energy and longevity," Underwood added.
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Underwood has two sons: three-year-old Jacob and seven-year-old Isaiah. She wants to be in their lives for as long as possible and be able to be an active presence as they grow up, so maintaining her fitness was crucial. "It really is playing the long game, right?" she said, adding, "I've worked out a whole lot and been frustrated because it wasn't the results that I wanted. I feel like now at this point in my life, you really do learn that it is a lifestyle, it's balance. It is overall taking care of yourself."
The Grammy winner admits it's easier to maintain a regular workout program when she's on the road because she feels like her hands are typically tied at home with her kids, whom she shares with husband Mike Fisher. "When I'm at home, I feel like I'm mom-ing it. I'm doing the laundry, packing the lunches, I'm always cleaning," Underwood explains. "So when I'm on the road and I live on a bus or in a hotel room, I'm not having to do all that stuff so it frees up a little time. My schedule is still very regimented and there's all this stuff that I do, but my mornings are a little bit more flexible."
Underwood is now getting ready for the second leg of her 'Denim & Rhinestones' arena tour. The 'Good Girl' singer claimed that maintaining her fitness was necessary for her to perform in concerts. "It's surprisingly physical being on stage — there's a lot of cardio. I'm running around in heels and I honestly write songs that I don't give myself time to breathe," she reportedly said.
Underwood was proud of the progress she has made since turning her attention to overall health stating that she was very aware of her body and gace all elements of wellness top priority, such as eating healthy food and staying hydrated. "Just taking care of myself — moving more, eating healthy, staying hydrated — these things are all base level stuff," she reportedly said, adding, "If I start feeling weird or tired it's like, what boxes am I not checking? Am I eating fried food? Am I not drinking enough water? Whatever it is, I usually can pinpoint what I've been lacking and try to correct that and get myself back up to speed and be able to be my best."