Celebrity Shape-ups for Memorial Day

In Touch magazine was so kind this week as to let us know how already fabulous looking celebrities get ready to put on their bikinis for the summer sunshine and paparazzi. Jennifer Hudson, 25 years-old, has reportedly already lost 35 pounds (which I don’t notice myself, but good for her.) Her reported healthy eating habits consists of meals that include a palm size serving of one protein (chicken), one fiber (like broccoli), and one carb (like potatoes). The magazine also reports that she is very committed to working out. When she travels, she even brings her trainer along with her! NOTE: This is one of those reasons why celebrities are good at losing weight and keeping it off.

Jessica Alba is also featured in the article. The action star is most well known for her smoken bod so it seems like common sense that she would be featured. I don’t know if she needed to get BACK in shape, but she reportedly does cardio religiously for 30 minutes 4 days a week (running, elliptical or stationary bike). Alba adds more weight training and yoga when her roles call for some sort of action, like in upcoming Fantastic Four. The thing about Jessica Alba that I like is that she has to work hard for her figure, and she is upfront about it. She doesn’t act like she was gifted with this amazing metabolism, but that she is a hard worker. She works hard for her career and her body. She also reportedly drinks two to three liters of water a day.

The article also talks about Tyra Banks’ weight loss, Cameron Diaz (who knew she had anything to lose) and Evangeline Lilly. One thing all these celebrities have in common is that they do indulge when they have cravings, but they know they need to work it off the next day at the gym. Among the favorite workouts are circuit training, and typical cardio sessions. For Lilly and Diaz, these girls love playing in the water. Both are fans of surfing and judging by their bodies, they are kinda similar, no?

While Memorial Day doesn’t really kick off summer in my mind (the water is still too cold in Cape Cod to actually go in), I will be preparing to bare all in my bikini by walking to work instead of driving, it’s only 1.5 miles. I didn’t today but I promise I will by Wednesday. That’s about it though. The 4th of July is my summer kick off!

May 21, 2007

Super Skinny Beware! Bigger is Officially Better

People Magazine and US weekly both feature 100+ pound weight loss stories without surgery or gimmicks! I’ll talk more about People on Monday but today I want to let you all know that “size zero” models will no longer be used in advertisements for many of your favorite products. Also, People magazine just last week featured some of the biggest names in modeling right now, all who were healthy bodied and sexy, none of the waif likes.

So does this mean the size zero trend is no longer socially acceptable? There has been a huge push for saving the planet and how to prevent global warming lately, but have you really seen a change? It’s easy for celebrities to push their beliefs on us normal folk, but how often do we listen? For once, the people have spoken and bigger is better once again thanks to the social responsibility the industries have taken.

From advertisers, to gossip magazines, to even celebrities like Jennifer Hudson, Ugly Betty’s America Ferrera and Rachel Ray we are begun to see a change in how the size zero is perceived as unattractive is sickly looking (if it is unnatural and from starvation). Some may say it was never acceptable, but we’ve seen Kate Bosworth and Lindsey Lohan go from muscle, to stick skinny to healthy. At one point, admit it or not, being a size sub-zero was trendy (thanks Rachel Zoe).

Consumer goods giant Unilever chose on it’s own to no longer use models whose BMI is lower than 18.5. On the opposite end of the spectrum, they will not be using models who are above 25. The range between the two numbers is what the United Nations considers healthy.

Here is what the president of Unilever had to say, “"It's a response to growing societal concerns about the possible negative health effects that could occur should people pursue unhealthy or excessive slimness. Unilever believes in a healthy balanced diet and that both men and women have the right to feel comfortable with their bodies and not suffer from lack of self-esteem brought on by images of excessive slimness."

Can I get a “thank god”? Fashion designer are even trying so hard to make it look like they support full bodies that they’ve tried to bring back the most unflattering pants so that even Mischa Barton looks fat. See for yourself Do you guys think this trend is going to catch on anywhere else like in movies or reality tv shows? I think it’s a great idea! It can be called Nicole’s Law 

May 11, 2007

Celebrity Oscar Diets

The Oscars are this Sunday! I must admit I don’t really watch the actual Academy Awards but I never miss the red carpet specials. I love to see what the actresses are wearing. Maybe it’s because I’m not a fashion guru but I could care less what the men are wearing. Tuxedos all look the same to me.

At the Golden Globes, Reese Witherspoon and Drew Barrymore turned heads on the red carpet revealing their new slimmer bodies. Yes, I loved the gowns they were wearing, but the tabloids were much more interested in how they lost all that weight.

E! Online revealed today the secrets of the nominees on how they are slimming down for the mother of all award shows. I’ve written about most of the actresses in the article before and it seems that I have been right on the button. So if you want to know how to lose those extra pounds before your own big event, keep reading.

Best supporting actress, a shoe in to win, Jennifer Hudson gained weight for her role as Effie in ‘Dreamgirls,’ but has already lost most of that weight. She admits she will never be a size 2, but also does not wish to be. She told the US weekly she has been eating mostly smoked salmon and vegetables to get her body red carpet ready.

Hudson is up against Cate Blanchette who stays mum about her diet but sources say she follows a holistic regimen.

Best Actress nominee Penelope Cruz is known for her curves so it’s no surprise that she is preparing for the Oscars by working out early in the morning to avoid distractions.

My personal favorite and last years Best Actress Reese Witherspoon says her secret to slimming down is by eating six small meals a day, including lots of fish and fresh vegetables.

Beyonce is known for bootilicious body as well as her extreme diets like the Master Cleanse diet, which consists of drinking six to 12 glasses a day of a bizarre drink that includes maple syrup, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and spring water. She admitted that she was unable to stick to this diet but it was successful in helping her shed the weight she needed to play her role in ‘Dreamgirls.’ Doctors have vocally spoken out against this diet citing that it basically is a starvation diet and once people stop drinking the concoction, they crave junk food because it is so restrictive.

Bottom line, if you want to eat like a celebrity load up on lean protein like fish, chicken or egg white and fresh vegetables. Exercise is also a must so aim for 5-6 days a week of cardio and 3-4 days of weight lifting.

February 21, 2007