Taraji P. Henson in Bathing Suit Jumps on Viral Trend

Unless you live under a social media rock you have probably experienced the viral trend on social media that just about every celebrity is partaking in: The Not My Name viral challenge. In their videos, set to the Ting Ting’s song That’s Not My Name, celebrities offer up clips of all the characters they have played, and fans are eating it up. The latest celeb to join in on the entertaining viral movement? Taraji P. Henson, who used it as an excuse to show off all the names she has been called professionally–as well as her impressively fit body in a swimsuit. “Y’all know I HAD to get in on this!!! Shoutout to @drewbarrymore for starting this trend ✨ Which is your fave character!?” she captioned her video. How does the actress keep herself in stellar physical form? Read on to see 10 ways Taraji P. Henson stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Has Her Own Fitness Program

The Academy Award winning actress recently launched the Force Fitness 30-Day Fitness Challenge with her trainer, Mike T. The workout, which she shared about on Instagram, is an all-encompassing health and fitness movement. The workouts involve light weights and ankle weights and circuits that consist of different types of lunges, squats and lifts.

2. She Strives for Sore

Taraji likes to workout so hard that she feels it. “I see results, I get fired up. Cause I know things are working,” she revealed on Instagram in the same video. “When you’re sore, don’t be discouraged. Sore means something is happening. Sore means things are happening. Fat is burning. Muscles are building. So you should want to be sore. You should hunger for that sore. Cause that’s when your body is going to change.”

3. She Makes “Healthier Choices”

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In an interview with The Cut, the actress reveals that making “healthier choices” is always her objective. “I had a health scare and I want to live. My health scare came from me not eating right. You think just because you're small and you work out that everything is coming up roses, until you take a look inside. There are so many things that we eat that are bad for us — hormones in animals — that affect you. Coffee on an empty stomach — who knew it could kill you? I know now,” she said.

4. She Loads Up On Protein

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"I try to do my proteins,” Taraji told The Cut about one of her diet tips. “When I want a salt taste, I'll do boiled eggs with my fermented vegetables. When I want a sweet taste, I'll grab a Special K protein bar or protein shake.”

5. She Is “Very Disciplined” with Exercise

"Honestly, Taraji is very disciplined in the gym," her trainer told InStyle, revealing that she trains seven days per week when she isn’t working for one to two hours. "She’s the type of person that if you tell her she can’t do something, she’s definitely going to want to do it even harder. Her focus is second to none.”

6. She Starts Her Workouts with 20 Minutes of Cardio

Taraji usually begins her workout sessions with cardio. "I usually do that on the elliptical," she told WSJ Magazine. "If I’m feeling really adventurous, I’ll do a 20-minute stint on my Peloton bike. If I’m feeling really lazy, I’ll just walk it out on the treadmill."

7. She Prioritizes Sleep

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How much sleep does Taraji aim for? “I would like to see eight hours. I don’t know when I’ve seen eight hours. I don’t know if it’s a problem, but I get about five to six hours. I want more, but that’s just where we are now,” she revealed.

8. She Does Intermittent Fasting

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Taraji skips breakfast for a reason. “I do intermittent fasting, so I don’t eat until 11, and then most times I’ll do a protein shake,” she told WSJ.

9. These Are Her Go-To Concoctions

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Taraji is all about interesting concoctions. She starts her day with a glass of hot water, “and I put [in] my sea moss and my lime,” she told WSJ. “That’s my morning coffee, if you will.” She also is into supplements. “I take vitamin C, I take iron. I put elderberry powder, spirulina and collagen in my shake,” she added.

10. She Boxes with This Machine

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Over the pandemic, Taraji “fell in love” with Nexersys, a boxing machine. “So after I do my 20-minute warm-up, I get to boxing. And I love it, because it’s got a trainer on there. Not personal, but you can go on-demand and you can do cool work, and it’s just you and the trainer,” she told WSJ.

Actress Taraji P. Henson is on vacation with her good friend, singer and fellow icon Mary J. Blige. They are posting several fun videos and photos on social media. One thing Henson is doing is dancing. And she is also showing off her body in a light pink bathing suit. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Taraji P. Henson stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Meditates

Taraji P. Henson/Instagram

Henson broke down her wellness routine to The Cut. She says that wellness starts first thing in the morning. “The first thing I do when I wake is meditate. I try to set my mind right. I try to tell myself that no matter what, today is going to be a good day, so when those curve balls come, I’m not taken by surprise. I can tell the days I don’t meditate, because I pop off. Things aggravate me.”

2. She’s On An Alkaline Diet

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Henson tells The Cut that she is changing her diet and trying to eat healthier. One thing she is doing is eating an alkaline diet. “I’m on a supplemental regimen to re-alkaline my body and to build the lining in my stomach. I was very bad to my stomach for a very long time, and I didn’t know! I’ve been living healthy now for three months, and even when I get off this special regimen, I know I’ll make healthier choices.”

3. She Eats A Lot Of Protein

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Henson also tells The Cut that she incorporates a lot of protein in her diet. “I try to do my proteins. When I want a salt taste, I’ll do boiled eggs with my fermented vegetables. When I want a sweet taste, I’ll grab a Special K protein bar or protein shake.”

4. She Works With A Trainer

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In addition to eating healthy and meditating, Henson is also working out. She tells The Cut that she likes to work with a personal trainer. “I hired a trainer. I’m not a fitness guru. I like to work out, but I won’t push myself, so I need a trainer to do that.”

5. She Weight Trains

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Henson’s trainer, Mike T, broke down the actress’ workout routine to Health. He says that he likes to do weight training with Henson. “I'll usually start with the medium-weight kettlebell and do dead lifts. And I'll also do a deadlift combination where I'll do a deadlift squat-combo for about 20 repetitions using medium to heavy weight for her deadlifts."