Jennifer Lopez joined by hunky bodyguard in LA as she gets candid about 'struggles' after Ben Affleck split

Jennifer Lopez showcased her abs while out on a shopping trip after getting candid about being a mom who puts her 'best foot forward' still doesn't stop her from being a 'human being who struggles.'

The 55-year-old A-lister - who, along with ex Ben Affleck, is said to be determined to stay 'in each other's lives' - was seen hitting celeb-favorite Brentwood Country Mart with her new hunky bodyguard on Friday.

 Jennifer flashed a smile as she looked up while chatting up the hunky paid protector on the shopping trip in Los Angeles.

 She gave a peek at her toned midriff in a classic white cropped top and baggy blue jeans combination.

The Waiting For Tonight hitmaker covered up in a salt and pepper long coat as she strutted her stuff in white low-top sneakers.

JLo accessorized with a pair of large designer sunglasses and signature gold hoop earrings.

Her highlighted locks were put in an updo a she showcased her natural looks with complementary make-up on her face.

Meanwhile, Jennifer recently got candid about balancing life as a mom and one of the biggest stars in the world as she chatted with Judy Robles - whom she plays in her new film Unstoppable - in an interview for British Vogue released on Friday.

She explained: 'Okay, there’s so much going on here. And I understood it. I mean, as a mom, you always want to put your best foot forward for your kids.

'You want to lift them up. That doesn’t stop you from being a human being who struggles.'

 Lopez shares 16-year-old twins Max and Emme with her ex-husband Marc Anthony.

Days ago it was revealed that she and her estranged husband Ben Affleck are reportedly not planning to completely sever their ties after their divorce is finalized.

A source told Page Six on Tuesday that the 55-year-old singer and actress and the 52-year-old actor and filmmaker hope to stay 'connected' after their split is made official.

'They have every intention of continuing to be in each other’s lives despite not being romantically involved,' the insider claimed.

The latest update on the couple's behind-the-scenes interactions comes nearly four months after Lopez filed paperwork to divorce Affleck on August 20, which happened to be the couple's second anniversary.

Lopez and Affleck's children were often inseparable during the early days of their relationship and marriage, and they have reportedly played a part in keeping the exes in each other's orbit, as the source added that they 'communicate when it involves their kids.'

Affleck shares three children with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner: Violet, 18; Fin, 15; and Samuel, 12.

The source added that most of their children 'attend the same school so they’re bound to spend time together,' aside from Violet, who began her freshman year at Yale this semester.

Despite their apparent rancor in the final months of their short-lived marriage, the A-list exes 'have a mutual respect for one another,' the source contended.

They added that their regard for each other was strong enough to be enduring.

'They have a lot of history,' the source added, even as they admitted that Lopez and Affleck's relationship had been irreversibly altered by their failed marriage and divorce.

'Ben and Jennifer remain amicable whenever they do see each other,' the source continued. 'They’re still close with each other’s children, and even though they don’t have a co-parenting type of relationship, they still feel like a blended family in a lot of ways.'

 The two exemplified that relationship at a school function last week.

On Friday, Affleck was pictured attending a school play with both Lopez and his ex-wife Garner.

The trio were their to support Affleck and Garner's middle child Fin and Lopez's child Emme, both of whom use gender-neutral they/them pronouns.

Following the show, Affleck was seen hugging his former stepchild Emme and giving them a sweet kiss on the forehead. 

An eyewitness to the exchange revealed to DailyMail.com that Lopez 'looked on adoringly' at Affleck and her child's connection.

The exes were also spotted having a conversation after the play. 

Lopez and Affleck have also shown they can promote some of their shared work projects, though they're not as chummy in those contexts.

Lopez stars in the new film Unstoppable, which Affleck and his longtime best friend Matt Damon both produced, and she has continued to be front and center of its publicity campaign despite her ex's connection.

However, Affleck appears to have largely stepped back from promoting the inspirational true-life sports drama, though his producing partner Damon has attended events promoting the film.