New York, December 29 : President-elect Barack Obama has his rigorous work-out and a careful diet to thank for his impressive pectorals and tight 33-inch waist.

The 47-year-old, who was recently snapped shirtless while holidaying in Hawaii, sweated it out for six days a week for about 45 minutes - hopping between cardio routines and weight circuit training.

"Most of my workouts have to come before my day starts," the New York Daily News quoted him as telling Men''s Health magazine.

The first African-American to be elected President of the United States pumps up his heart beat on an elliptical machine, if he is not shooting basketballs with his 20-year junior personal assistant, Reggie Love.

The former junior Senator from Illinois works his triceps with 40- to 50-pound dumbbells in each hand, in addition to snacking on MET-Rx chocolate roasted-peanut protein bars, roasted almonds and pistachios.

According to caterer Anita Ellis, Obama preferred to crack eggs for breakfast, opted for fish over red meat, and drank water over soda.

The soon to be forty-fourth U. S. president, whose term of office begins on January 20, 2009, also stacked on his share of veggies, especially spinach and broccoli. (ANI)