Michelle Obama: Happy and Healthy in Prevention Magazine

Everything gets better with age -- if you're Michelle Obama, that is. Despite her recent transition from living a relatively low-profile life in Chicago to being half of one of the most famous and visible couples in the world, the 45-year-old first lady is happy, in good health and enjoying life more than ever. How does she do it?

The first lady shares her secrets for staying happy and healthy in the November issue of Prevention. Her number-one secret can be summed up in six simple words: "Make choices that make me happy."

"Throughout my life," she said, "I've learned to make choices that make me happy and make sense for me. Even my husband is happier when I'm happy. So I have freed myself to put me on the priority list and say, yes, I can make choices that make me happy, and it will ripple and benefit my kids, my husband and my physical health."

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=542763&pid=542762&uts=1254254528

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Michelle Obama Magazine Covers

The magazine industry has devoted so many covers to our first lady, she's giving models and entertainers a run for their money.
Gallery by Lauren Williams, Photo Editor Mangesh Somvanshi

Getty Images

Getty

BlackVoices.com

The College Survival Guide

A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.

Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.

Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.

Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.

MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.

Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age

Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.

Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.

Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.

Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!

The buff body (those toned arms, which she proudly flaunts often, are the envy of many) and sunny disposition are the result of maintaining balance in every facet of life -- from her diet to her emotional wellness to her physical fitness. Pursuing happiness is her key to achieving this balance.

It's not easy for mothers and wives to make their own happiness and health a priority, she explained, but it's important.

"That's hard for women to own. We're not taught to do that," she said. "It's a lesson that I want to teach my girls."

Find out more of Mrs. O's secrets at Prevention.com.

HOT ON HUFFPOST BLACKVOICES:

Categories

Contributors

Other BV Blogs