Lopez’s daily routine kicks off with a moment of calm. “I try to always to get as much sleep as I can so that I can start the day well rested and do my morning meditation and affirmations,” she says.

Then, it’s time to bust a move. Calling her exercise regimen “hard work,” the star breaks down how she stays in shape. “It’s no secret that I love dancing, so it doesn’t even feel like exercise to me. I freestyle dance with Tracy Anderson five times a week. We’ll incorporate light weights (3 lbs) for the arms and moves that focus on the butt and thighs and engage the core.”

Tired? Too bad. That’s just the beginning. “I also do circuit training with David Kirsch when I’m in New York. We do hour-long circuits at least three times a week. Its full-body training — so planks, pushups, boxing — really everything. It’s all about changing it up and keeping your body guessing.”

As for her flawless skin, that radiance isn’t just the result of workout flush. The L’Oréal Paris spokeswoman says she loves “glycolic acid to get that healthy glow and clear skin. I never go to bed without taking my makeup off, [and I use] night creams to keep my skin hydrated. As for daytime, SPF is k-e-y. She faithfully uses the brand’s moisturizers with SPF “every single day. You have to protect your skin.”

And her fountain of youth? Plain old H2O. “Sorry, it’s true! I think drinking lots of water and fresh foods with lots of fruits and vegetables (I keep [them] with me at all time.) all play into the quality of skin’s appearance,” Lopez says.

Simply put: She’s real. The way she walks, the way she moves, the way she talks. She’s real! But she’s incredibly disciplined, and all that hard work pays off, especially when it comes to putting on a show on stage — or on the red carpet. But when the night is over, the singer usually has to return the looks that land her best-dressed lists.

“Unfortunately I don’t keep a lot of them — you have to send them back! [But] I have kept some of the important ones such as the green Versace dress, which is currently on display at my Vegas show!”

But that doesn’t mean daughter Emme, 7, won’t have racks on racks on racks of clothes to choose from — if she chooses. “Emme has her own unique style,” says the star, adding, “but of course she’ll have access to my closet when she’s older.”

–Jackie Fields