Michelle Obama flaunts abs at the gym

The former first lady's gym selfie racked up over a million likes in a matter of hours. Photo / Instagram

Michelle Obama has sent social media into a frenzy after she posted a rare Instagram snap showing off her toned tummy.

The 55-year-old former First Lady shared the image on Sunday, posing in a forward lunge holding a medicine ball above her head. Talk about impressive.

Rocking a black cap, sports bra and matching tights, Michelle captioned the post: "It doesn't always feel good in the moment. But after the fact, I'm always glad I hit the gym."

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It doesn’t always feel good in the moment. But after the fact, I’m always glad I hit the gym. How did you all take care of yourself on this #SelfCareSunday? 💪🏾

A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Oct 20, 2019 at 11:45am PDT

"How did you all take care of yourself on this #SelfCareSunday?" the mum-of-two added in her first Instagram workout snap.

With her tight core and abs on full display, Michelle's fans couldn't help but comment on her fit physique, with the post attracting more than one million likes in a matter of hours.

"Beast!!!" one person simply wrote.

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This afternoon, I was thrilled to visit with @CocoGauff. When we talk about the potential of our young people, we often think about it as some far-off promise, years or decades away. But the truth is they have so much to offer us right now—something we all saw a few weeks ago at Wimbledon. Coco is a wonderful young woman who’s showing us that we don’t have to wait to see what the next generation can do.

A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Aug 1, 2019 at 1:58pm PDT

"Come through queen," another commented.

"You put me to shame," a third commented, while others said she was a huge inspiration.

"I'm going to plank because of this post."

"I also hit the gym! You are such an inspiration."

Others joked that unlike the former FLOTUS, they spent their "Self-Care Sunday" sleeping in.

In July, Michelle was interviewed on stage by her friend (and CBS News anchor) Gayle King in light of her memoir Becoming and spoke of the importance of how women need to "un-train" each other and not put their wellness last.

"When it comes to our health as women, we are so busy giving and doing for others that we almost feel guilty to take that time out for ourselves," Michelle said, getting personal about her own experiences.

"A lot of mothers will understand this because I found myself looking around after I had my kids, and I didn't have time for me, but my husband was at the gym every day. And I was like, 'Well, how are you going to the gym?' He was like, 'I make time for the gym'. I was like, 'What?'"

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One thing I keep hearing from women across the country is how hard it is for us to put ourselves first. We're the first to care for our friends, families, coworkers, but we are last on our own list. The good news is we can make a change. I’ve seen it in my own life. And that starts with all of us as women searching within ourselves and our stories—and sharing what we’ve learned with one another. So I want to hear from you! What do you do to make yourself more of a priority?

A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Jul 7, 2019 at 7:46am PDT

She said many women had a hard time putting themselves first, and if "we don't act together as women, as mothers, as grandmothers, we aren't going to be able to get our kids on track".

You will find Michelle doing a lot more yoga, having discovered her love for the physical movement back in 2014 when she turned 50.

"I'm seeing myself shift from weight-bearing stuff — even though that continues to be important — and the heavy cardio and running, to things like yoga that will keep me flexible," she told People magazine.

Michelle is also very diligent when it comes to regular check-ups, telling the publication she has never missed a mammogram or pap smear.

"I've had a colonoscopy. I don't obsess about what I eat, but I do make sure that I'm eating vegetables and fruit," she said.

Michelle led a massive White House campaign for child health and fitness during the eight years of her husband Barack's administration.