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Demi Lovato has been an outspoken advocate for body acceptance, mental health, and owning your confidence.
Courtesy of Fabletics
After years of public struggles, Lovato has come into her ownand shes not apologizing for it one bit.
Lovato is quick to say that a big part of that comes from her time in the gym.
The fitness routine that has her feeling so strong and confident?
Mixed martial arts and jiu-jitsu, she tells SELF.
I first got into jiu-jitsu because I loved watching people grapple, Lovato says.
(Jiu-jitsu focuses on hand-to-hand combat moves and ground work such as grappling, throwing, and pinning.)
I think its really cool to learn something that helps you with self-defense.
She adds that she also finds MMA fighting meditative because shes constantly thinking of ways to attack and defend.
SELF: Do you enjoy working out or is it something you feel like you oughta do?
Why do you work out personally?
Its important to take care of yourself physically but also mentally as well.
What motivates me on those days is knowing how Im going to feel after Im done.
What, if anything, do you struggle with when it comes to fitness?
But thats why I like to train MMA, because it keeps it exciting.
A few years ago I picked it up again with a trainer.
It sounds like youve found a good balance.
How do you measure your fitness progress?
Thats how I measure success rather than looking at it from the physical aspect.
Theres so much more to fitness than just the side effect of what you look like.
On that note, so many women, girls, and young men look up to you.
Knowing what you know now about fitness, what advice would you give to them?
Youve given us so many great workout jams during your careerwhats on your workout playlist right now?
My workout playlist is all hip-hop and rap.
For some reason its what keeps me going.
I like a lot of Kendrick Lamar and Eminem and Big Sean.
My go-to song right now is “DNA” by Kendrick Lamar.
