If you’ve ever wondered how D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton keeps fired up, it’s not just the indignity of being denied full voting privileges in the House — it’s race-walking and low-calorie smoothies. According to an article published yesterday in The Hill, Norton does her best to stay in shape, exercising and eating well to ensure that she never goes soft on anti-voting rights Republicans:

On weekends, or days when she has more free time, Norton race-walks from her house on 9th Street and East Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and back. The total distance is four miles and takes her “about an hour or so…It’s a pleasant walk,” Norton says. She puts on her earphones and listens to the news. On weekdays, Norton typically lifts weights inside and walks for 30 minutes. But she says the key to staying in shape is simple: “I never take elevators.”

As for food, she isn’t one to indulge:

Norton tries to eat healthfully and eats six small meals every day, but she admits dieting is not her forte. “I try mightily to control my diet. I’m not on a constant diet,” Norton admits. She says she likes “this notion of having something every three to four hours.” She eats protein bars and low-calorie lemon yogurt for her between-meal snacks. Norton’s breakfast also sounds healthy: “I have fruit in the morning. Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and a banana with some protein. A low-calorie smoothie.”

Coupled with hyper-healthy Mayor Adrian Fenty and bike-friendly City Administrator Dan Tangherlini, the District’s top leadership looks positively svelte.

Photo by yospyn