Mariah Carey Tells OK!: "I Want to Be Healthy for My Kids"

Her twins, Moroccan and Monroe, were born in April — and while Mariah Carey swears she never knew exactly how many pregnancy pounds she'd gained, she's now proudly talking about how she lost them! After following the Jenny Craig plan for a little over three months, Mariah, 41, their brand ambassador, is thrilled with the results and sat down with OK! to talk about it. 

How do you feel being in such great shape again? 

Well, I think I'm in shape, but I'm still on my quest to work out — I want to be healthy enough where I can cheat, and it doesn't matter!

What are your cheat foods?

Well, in New York, Sicilian pizza. In Italy, pizza. I like french fries, too. You know, stuff like that. I also love pasta.

Why did you choose Jenny? 

Being in this partnership with Jenny and the American Heart Association is an honor for me because I know that their intentions are really good. So many of their top women executives have had babies and know what pregnant women go through.

Do you ever cook for yourself?

Sometimes, I'd have a salad that I'd make for myslef. I had Jenny products and then I'd mixed it up a little bit. I would make stuff for myself, like salads and egg white omelets and things like that. 

Do you work out?

I really went back into working out hard, kind of a bit early, so I think I have a lesson for everybody: Being conscious of your health is so important. I work really hard on my arms to get them strong and in shape, but one arm is a little less strong than the other because I'm dealing with carpal tunnel nerve issue. But it'll be fine. I just have to take care of it. I have to go to my physical therapist.

What's your plan to maintain the weight loss long-term?

Well, I had my babies, and now I work out and stay on my diet. And when you want to have a good day with food in terms of what you want to eat, you have that day, and then the next day, you go back to the program and work out a bit harder. It's just about discipline. Really disciplining yourself.

How important is diet and fitness now that you are a mom?

I think it's really important. I have to stay healthy for my kids and I want to set a good example for them. Not that they know anything now — they're only 7 months! They're not walking in, asking, "Mommy, what size are your jeans?" Nobody's doing that, but I think it's important. Health is always important. We tend to neglect that, and go for the easy fast food and things like that. But with Jenny there's portion control. You can get soups with only 50 calories, and you drink that, and at least for the moment, you're satiated. You're not starving. You're feeling good — and there are some nutrients in you. You can eat six little meals a day, and that was my thing. I just ate more, but smaller portions. I'm 5-foot-9 and curvy — this is what I look like and I feel good about myself.