Lost 100

DANNY is THE BIGGEST LOSER

Danny lost an amazing 239 pounds (weighing in at 191) to claim the top spot tonight...more to follow!

55.58%

Lizzie Miller Show's that a Little bit o' Tummy Can be Beautiful

I LOVE this pic of 'plus-size' (and I use that term loosely because a woman who is a size 12 is not plus-sized) model Lizzie Miller, 20. It appeared in Glamour Magazine and has become a hit amongst women (and men). Even women size 4, 6, & 8 have been saying, 'Thank you!' because they admit their bodies have sections that aren't perfect and Lizzie looking so confident and gorgeous makes them feel more beautiful too.

I have that roll too, my tummy isn't perfect, but I have to tell you I felt a lot sexier being naked after I saw this picture!

What do you think? Are you a Lizzie Miller fan too?

NIA VARDALOS: 'WHAT'S THE BIG FAT DEAL' Finally a Celeb Who Gets Real About Body Image!

Here's a blog post Nia Vardalos wrote for AC360 on CNN.  It is perhaps one of the best things I've ever read about body image and health.  I think I'm in love with Nia Vardalos!  She rocks--I love her confidence in herself, her sense of humor and that she doesn't think it's a big deal that she lost weight.  People magazine bikini shoot--no!  It was about her health, not how she felt in her skin.  I suspect Ms. Vardalos felt just as sexy before as she does now.  Her view of her body before is refeshing and sadly unexpected in a world where the Teenage Witch uses cruel terms to describe her post-partum fuller figure and a Ghost Whisperer yells and screams about how dare the media criticize her size 2 figure, only to drop 20 lbs and pay for do a major publicity tour about her 'new fabulous figure' and how much better she feels about her body.  Nia Vardalos never apologized for her body before and she isn't trashing it now~and to me that makes her a hero of sorts!  Way to go girlfriend~if I'm ever lucky enough to meet you I'm totally buying you a diet coke drink!!!

Editor’s Note: Nia Vardalos is the star and writer of the 2002 smash hit, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Her new film, “My Life in Ruins,” is in theaters now.

Actress Nia Vardalos arrives at the premiere of 'My Life in Ruins' on May 29, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

Nia Vardalos
Actress/Writer/Director

It’s just weight. Just 40 pounds of fat now gone from my body, but wow, it’s pretty much all I get asked about. In the last year, I got to star in a movie, wrote and directed my next one, and adopted a three year old from American Foster Care. But guess what I’m asked…how did I lose the weight?

I am embarrassed to be in the position of answering questions about my body again. On the publicity tour of ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ I was asked over and over again, if, as the writer, I felt it was a fair depiction of real life to have someone of my er, below average looks, hook up with hottie John Corbett.

It’s been years, and I have sat through many a movie like Sideways, where nobody blinks an eye when Paul Giamatti gets together with gorgeous Virginia Madsen. And, then ‘Knocked Up’….well, the visual of Seth Rogan on top of Katherine Heigl made me put the popcorn down and reach for my purse. Not because I was grossed out but because I knew the film was about to stop and Ashton Kutcher would now jump out and go “aha, you’ve been punked, that would never happen.” I waited. But no Ashton. The film went on. And many a reviewer, who probably look like sweet Seth (yes even the women) gave it a thumbs up.

Yes, there’s a double standard for women. Whatever. Yawn, we all know it, perpetuate it – we make it worse every time we buy a magazine showing “Stars with Cellulite.” And women, we do buy those magazines. Yes, we do. No, not just at the airport – you have a subscription, admit it. So do I.

So, it’s our fault. Let’s accept it and move on. Socially, the issue of men’s weight is simply not a big deal. Let’s face it: Russell Crowe is fat and no one ever talks about it. Alec Baldwin just orders his suits a size bigger and we continue to swoon.

So, what exactly is up with my weight loss? I get hit with this awkward question daily and have answered it in press interviews, at the grocery store, at the newspaper stand. Why? Because I see their anxious, open faces needing the secret, the new pill, the cure, anything. Just please share the secret. So I hesitantly answer and am always met with the same response: the glaze-eye slack-jawed face.

Because they don’t want to hear the truth: I had a blood sugar problem so my Doctor ordered me to lose weight, it was really hard but I did it through diet, exercise and it took a year.

This is when the boredom sets in on the querying person. I might as well just shove an Ambien up their nostril. The gleam in their eye fades and they get sleepy.

No one wants to hear the facts about weight loss. It’s simple. Take that bag of Doritos and throw it as far as you can. Now chase after it. Pick it up, do it again.

Or don’t. You don’t have to lose weight, unless like me, it becomes an issue of health. I thought I was attractive when I shot ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding.’ Studio executives and movie reviewers let me know I had a confidence in my looks that was not shared by them. In other words: they labeled me with words like, overweight, unattractive, unappealing. Hey, just say fat. I love the word fat. I used it in the title. It’s actually not a naughty word. We give it a power it actually doesn’t have. So, you’re fat. Big deal.

If now, I have a sudden validity because I look different on the red carpet, check out my Before pics on my Twitter. (@NiaVardalos) I am showing what happens before Team Miracle comes over in the Hazmat suits and works on me for a few hours. Anyone can look like they make me look. That’s why most malls offer a Glamour Shots booth.

I am just telling you the truth.

Here’s another fact: A studio executive recently asked me to change a male lead in a script to female because “women don’t go to movies.” He went on to explain some studios were no longer making female-lead movies because women don’t go to them.

Wow. I pointed out ‘Sex And The City,’ ‘Mamma Mia,’ and  ‘Obsessed,’ and he called them “flukes.”

He shrugged and explained he was just telling me the truth.

I wonder, is this the truth? Do we support female films? My film is out now and Sandra Bullock’s film ‘The Proposal’ opens soon. (Gasp, is she talking about a rival studio’s movie?) Yeah, I am. See it. See us both (just see us first, we’re low budget.)

So, I ask, can we tell that studio executive the truth? That women do go to the movies. Can we speak up with our wallets? Or did you doze off?

Nia Vardalos blogs for CNN

The Biggest Loser: Might this be the BEST Season Yet?

After the fiasco that was last season (the 'V' word, the mean spirit, the hate, the outrage...) I can't believe how this season has rebounded! 

Less drama...more inspiration & may I say many, many more tears.

You actually like these people...you actually are rooting for these people--all of them! 

Let's quickly mention just a few of the endearing things that have happened this season:

• An 18 year old young man (Mike) wins free food for a year and gives it away to mom of 5 (Aubrey), rationalizing she needs it more than him.  I still cry when I think about it.
• The pound-for-pound challenge encouraging all of America to lose weight and as a result get food donated to charities that feed the hungry. 
• Everyone on the ranch really seems to want each of their fellow contestants to succeed...there is very little backstabbing and the game-playing that occurs is mild compared to most seasons past.
• We were welcomed into the hospital when Blaine became a dad again...speaking of which, this season seems much more focused on families, the contestants are just more family-oriented.
• We cried when Dan, the heaviest contestant ever (and one of the youngest) was sent home...and we continue to hope he's staying on track and maybe something is connecting in the head of his partner.
• We watch people volunteer to go home, like tonight when Kathy sacrificed herself for her daughter and for Aubrey.
• We see the contestants play like we think we would...I can't help but LOVE Tara, tonight she said something along the lines of, 'I hope no one eats a cookie, lets just let the person who performs the best win and not bring games into it'--see, that's how I see it--everyone go out and do your very best, leave it on the floor, and may the best (wo)man win!
• We witness the close bond between 2 men, Sione and Bob the trainer...and see real emotion when they are pulled apart.  If you've ever had a trainer you may understand the close and intimate relationship--this person begins to see you at your worst and brings out the best in you...I cried too.
• We see a little sister step up and show she can be successful and fight for her big sister...Mandi going home was hard, but it was the right thing to do for her sister Aubrey.
• The father-son relationship between Mike and Ron just pulls at the heartstrings and could anybody not shed tears when they went home this week and talked to the other brother/son...his tears of shame and Mike & Ron's determination and inspire, help and support him had me bawling!
• Week after week we are pulled into the humanity and very little of the silly drama (it's still there, the producers are working hard to make a mountain out of a molehill with every little thing...)...we can't help but to tune in again and again and again.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU BIGGEST LOSER FOR BRINGING BACK MY FAITH IN THIS SHOW!!!!

Meghan McCain: 'Kiss My Fat Ass!'

Regardless of your politics, doesn't it just infuriate you when people turn to weight to further their argument by belittling someone else? I salute Meghan McCain for standing up for herself! And by the way, I'm fairly certain that Meghan McCain is NOT plus-sized...what would they say about my size 14 figure God forbid!

For too long women just quietly went away when attacked like this...I'm proud when women like Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Tyra Banks & Meghan McCain stand up and fight back. I just hope Ms. McCain doesn't go on a starvation diet and premier a new anorexic-esque figure.

Sometimes these things are a good catalyst to look at your lifestyle and assess if you are as healthy as you want to be. Who's to say it's wrong if you are slightly more curvy than Vogue says you should be? What if you're extraordinarily fit, have admirable numbers (ie. cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.), eat a well-balanced, healthy diet, but are not quite within the 'appropriate' weight range? Does this mean you must go on a diet? I think that answer is very individual...personally, I'm not happy right now at a size 14 (I'm much happier than I was when I was a size 24!). Do I think I must be a size 6 or 8? No. I would like to be able to run 6 miles without risking injury...I would like to be able to wear a wider range of clothing options than I currently do. And guess what, like every woman, I reserve the right to change my mind!

Doctor Gives Diet Advice About 10-year-old Overweight Child

In this CNN article Nutrition Specialist Dr. Malina Jampolis gives some solid advice to a mom who's concerned about her 4'6", 105 pound daughter. 

If you've read my blog before you know how important this issue is to me.  I was not overweight as a child, but I wasn't super-skinny either.  After I stopped playing college sports I became overweight and soon obese.  I struggled with my relationship with my parents when we discussed my weight.  I blamed them for being cruel.  Now, as a mom myself, I see how complicated that relationship is and I realize they just wanted the best for me.  Their reaction to my weight was more about their own concerns and less about me (as my reaction was very much childlike and reactionary). 

I worry if my own children have a weight issue how will I react.  I also worry that being 'too supportive' will give a child carte blache to continue in their unhealthy lifestyle.  I like Dr. J's advise to this mom.  If you have a child who is struggling, check it out!

WANTED: MICHELLE OBAMA ARMS

It seems the newest craze is women wanting to have arms like Michelle Obama.  And why not...have you checked out those gun?!  She rocks the sleveless dress!  So...what excuse do the rest of us have?  Here's a 44 year old, with 2 kids & tons of responsibilities as the First Lady.  Time to beef up the bi-cep/ tri-cep routine!

Check out this CNN link for more information, ideas and motivation!   

LOW FAT? LOW CARB? WHAT 'DIET PROGRAM' is BEST????

OPRAH GAINS SOME BACK, VOWS TO GET HEALTHY!

Oprah says she's hit the 2-0-0...

What does this mean for you and me?

This could be a very good year to watch Oprah because now that she's acknowledged the problem you know she's going to go out there and kick some butt and fix it (she's already said her goal is not necessarily a certain weight, but a healthy, strong body)! Which means amazing guests and new ideas on her show. Plus, when Oprah gets inspired it's infectious! So get prepared, she says that she is going to work hard and kick off the new year right with her 'best week' series (featuring several tips on healthier living in all aspects of our lives).

Two thoughts:
1. Don't Wait! Why wait for a certain date to take control of your life? Why wait for Oprah? Just do it! Seriously, only YOU have the ability to make the change and keep that change going!
2. It take a big person (oops! no pun intended) to catch themselves before they've put all the weight back on. By coming forward, Oprah sends a loud and clear message to us all...when you're on the wrong road don't be bullheaded and keep driving in the wrong direction, acknowledge that mistake and switch gears. It's never too late.

IS THE FASHION INDUSTRY TO BLAME FOR GIRLS GETTING FAT???

In a recent AP article the Victoria's Secret's models they spill the beans...they workout at a higher level before the big televised fashion show. Big surprise. I love how the author perpetuates/insinuates the stereotype of models never exercising. 

Maybe it's en vogue in the modeling industry to just have a preternaturally perfect body and never diet or exercise...but that is not the reality for 99.99% of the world.  I have seen a lot of naked women in my life (do not read into that statement!  anyone who belongs to a gym or played a sport in college grows accustom to changing/showering in front of other women) and have yet to see a 'perfect body' on someone who didn't watch their diet or exercise a lot.  I remember a girl in college who lived on our floor...one day I commented to a mutual friend about how I wished I had her thighs, she pointed out that friend A never worked out and while the thighs looked good standing still she  had little muscle definition and actually had quite a bit of cellulite/fat that surfaced when she walked.

What's my point...I guess I wish there were more models who were a size size 10, 8 or even 6 (remember the 'plus-size' model who won America's Next Top Model who was only a size 8, a size 8!  PLEASE!).  I wish fashion models were the picture of health:  muscles, strong running legs, curves...and not just a glorified clothing hanger.  I wish the fashion/modeling industry would give the boot to anorexics, smokers, and underweight models in an effort to help our teenage girls have a more realistic expectation of what a normal adult body should be.

Because here's the thing.  I really believe this.  When you have such an unrealistic expectation of women that we should all be a size 0, 2 or 4 to be considered 'beautiful/hot/fit, ____(insert term)' then we actually as a society fuel the 'fat acceptance industry'.  Hear me out here.  If the standard of beauty accepted by the modeling and fashion industry is not attainable by 90+% of girls then these girls are going to do one of three things:

1. Develop eating disorders/ unhealthy habits in an effort to attain said beauty standard.
2. Care less.  Believe who they are as a person is not defined by some ridiculous standard.
3. Go the other way.  If you can't attain the standard, then 'rage against the machine' and develop unhealthy habits in the other direction by carrying too much weight, not exercising, and eating unhealthy and/or junk foods.

Number 1 has been talked about ad nauseum, but number 3, has anyone made the connection?  Sure uber-skinny bitchy bloggers hate the 'fat girl bloggers'.  But has anyone wondered why as a society we are simply much chubbier?  Is it because we no longer has a model of what should be normal?  And when we do have a 'normal' body (ie. Jennifer Love Hewitt before the slim-down, Mariah Carey before the slim-down, Sara Rue (from 'Less Than Perfect'--she's a size 8), America Ferrera ('Ugly Betty'--they had the audacity to call her 'plus-sized'--she's maybe a size 6), Raven Simone, Lindsay Lohan before the cocaine habit (remember how great she looked in 'Mean Girls' then her crazy mother said she 'lost her baby fat'--maybe she needed get a normal mother, one that doesn't support her partying lifestyle!), Jennifer Coolidge (ie. Stiffler's mom from 'American Pie'), Tyra Banks--what does the media do?  Splashed all over the tabloids FAT-FAT-FAT.  Meanwhile American women are saying: WHAT-WHAT-WHAT?  If she's a 6 or an 8  and fat...then what am I at a 10-12-14???  Why should I bother getting down to her size if I'm still 'fat'?

The standard is ridiculous.  And I know I'll be writing about it again...because somebody with a perfectly normal/healthy body will be called fat.  And our minds will again be skewed. 

PLEASE--SOMEBODY:  Give us a normal/healthy model.  Someone who eats healthy/works out/ has a BMI in the normal (not borderline too skinny) range.  PLEASE!!!!!!

Here's a Tyra Banks video where she takes on the 'fat' comments head-on--YOU GO GIRL!!!