Lost 100

Plus-Size Model Crystal Renn Talks Weight Issues

HERE'S A GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT CRYSTAL RENN 'PLUS-SIZE' MODEL (I MEAN REALLY, A SIZE 12 IS NOT PLUS-SIZE, BUT WHATEVER).   WHAT DO YOU THINK???

Model Crystal Renn: From size 0 to 12

By Charlotte Triggs, PEOPLE.com

February 25, 2010 7:13 p.m. EST

Crystal Renn, who spent years suffering from an eating disorder, is speaking out.

(PEOPLE.com) -- She suffered from a crippling eating disorder to maintain the size 0 frame she needed to work in the fashion industry, but eventually found greater fame as a size 12 model. Now Crystal Renn is speaking out about the changes she thinks the fashion industry should make.

"We, as a culture, are fixated, and perhaps even in an unhealthy way, with dress size and the scale size," Renn said in a new interview with ABC's 20/20, during which she debated the question, "Is it OK to be fat?"

The model, who has also been an advocate for a wider array of sample sizes (most runway samples are a size 0 or 2), also says she's faced discrimination due to her weight.

"Fat people are absolutely discriminated against. I know this because of the type of modeling I do. ... If it wasn't, then I'd be all over the runways, every single runway, like everyone else," she said.

Instead, she's had to make her mark in a specialized market -- on her own terms. "It's about the healthy eating habits that you have, and wherever your body falls," said Renn. "Whether that is actually a 4 or an 18, [doesn't matter]."

"Having had an eating disorder,I was obsessed with numbers and percentages -- how many minutes have I been on the treadmill, how many calories have I consumed today?" said Renn. "When you start obsessing about numbers you get nowhere. It really is about, you know, finding balance and moderation within yourself and are you healthy."

For original article go to PEOPLE.com

Success Story: Alanis Morisette Shares How She Recovered from Anorexia/Bulimia & Found Strength

If you're anything like (the old) me, then you may have been sort of jealous of a confession of an anorexic that they ate only melba toast, carrots & black coffee for 4-6 months at a time.  Hell, if you've ever been obese you know that the go through times when it's hard to eat less than 4000 calories a day!  To have that kind of will power is admirable, right?  Um, wrong-o.

Really, anorexia & morbid obesity are equally as bad...If you look at eating/health habits on a continuum, it may look something like this:

1. Anorexia     
2. Bulimia
3. Struggling to eat enough
4. Restrictive Diet   

      Eating to Live   

1. Overeating
2. Overweight
3. Obesity
4. Morbid Obesity
   

 

No one wants to be in the fringe.  Let's for a second think about the life of an anorexic--they have the same shame as those of us who overeat, they know they have bad eating habits, but different from us, they seemingly get lots of attention, 'good attention' told they look great, idolized by most mainstream magazines, and unless they become 'bony' most friends and family members will continue to give them positive attention for their body.  On some levels I think it may be harder to change in that climate, whereas there are so many more resources and ways to get positive attention when you are losing weight. 

Fundamentally, we all want the same thing...we want food to be something that sustains our bodies, and isn't tied to emotional issues.  To have food be a non-issue in our lives is a huge goal for both anorexics and morbidly obese people.  We are not enemies, but allies.  We can learn from one another and support one another. 

Alanis Morissette's recent interview with December's issue of Health Magazine (on newstands Nov. 24th) and CNN shows a confident, strong, self-actualized woman who has overcome her issues with food & can now concentrate on the things that are really important to her, 'integrating all the parts of me -- jock, musician, writer, poet, philosopher -- and becoming stronger as a result.' 

I applaud Ms. Morissette for sharing her story and her journey & hope more people can come to experience the success she has, regardless of where they fall on the eating spectrum!

See the CNN article below:

(CNN) -- Alanis Morissette was the definition of "fierce" when she arrived on the American music scene with one of the big break-up songs of the '90s, "You Oughta Know." But behind that tough exterior were secrets of a difficult past.

"As a teen, I was both anorexic and bulimic," Alanis Morissette recently told Health magazine for its December issue. "I was a young woman in the public eye, on the receiving end of a lot of attention, and I was trying to protect myself from men who were using their power in ways I was too young to know how to handle."

By the time Morissette was 14, she had already starred in a popular Canadian children's show, started her own record label and had a publishing contract with MCA Canada, according to her Web site.

"Disappointment, sadness and pain hit me hard, and I tried to numb those feelings through my relationship with food. For four to six months at a time, I would barely eat. I lived on a diet of Melba toast, carrots, and black coffee," she said. "I began recovering at 18, when a sweet friend confronted me."

Now that she's older, Morissette, 35, said she's no longer starving herself and has begun to look at eating as "a sort of spiritual practice." Her healthier view of food and nutrition is thanks in no small part to a book she discovered a few years ago called "Eat to Live."

"It's become my bible, pushing me to completely reorient my thinking about what to put into my body. ... Now I concentrate on eating high-nutrient foods like fruit, nuts, collards, kale and spinach. I'm obsessed with them. I even put spinach in my smoothies," the Canadian musician admitted.

The seven-time Grammy Award winner has also sworn off dairy, on a tip from Woody Harrelson, no less. "Woody Harrelson [told] me I needed to get rid of the dairy in my fridge to clear up my skin," she said.

It's had a positive effect: Morissette said her skin "looks great now."

But all of that health consciousness doesn't mean Morissette has lost appreciation for the more delectable things in life. "Don't get me wrong," she said in the interview, "I still indulge in a glass of wine or chocolate -- treats are mandatory. Without deviating from the day-to-day healthy diet once in a while, it wouldn't be sustainable for me, and that's what I wanted: an approach to eating to last my entire life."

Resolving her issues with food and body image has helped Morissette to develop clarity in other areas of her life as well.

"I'm really clear about what my life mission is now. There's no more depression or lethargy, and I feel like I've returned to the athlete I once was. I'm integrating all the parts of me -- jock, musician, writer, poet, philosopher -- and becoming stronger as a result," she said.

"I hope my effort shows any woman battling an eating disorder or poor body image that she's not alone -- support is out there -- and inspires her to discover her inner athlete. It doesn't matter what your fitness-skill level is."

Health magazine's December issue hits newsstands November 24.

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

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!

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!   

MELANIE BROWN CAN HELP YOU BRING IT DOWN!

If you have ever heard of the Spice Girls or are a fan of Dancing With the Stars, then you know who Scary Spice/ Mel B/ Melanie Brown is.  You may also have noticed her awesome body (even my 80 year old grandpa is a fan of that!).  Wonder how she does it?  Wonder no more, here's a few resources to give you scoop on this amazing star.  New mom Mel has recently put out a DVD workout video, Totally Fit & launched a new website www.melaniebrown.com.

Danielle from celebrity-babies.com recently interviewed Mel, click this link to check out the Mel B Celebrity Baby Blog Interview.

US Magazine's Pictorial: 2008 Celeb Weight Loss Winners

US Magazine has put out a pictorial of stars that lost weight in 2008.  As you know, I tend to find the smut-mags glorifying uber-skinny girls and criticizing women with normal figures (ie. Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Mariah Carey, Beyonce Knowles---all of whom, wouldn't you know, are featured), but they also featured Michelle from the Biggest Loser, Horatio Sanz (who is looking oh-so-fine), and other folks who dropped a large amount of weight...so take it for what it's worth--check it out by clicking the link below.

2008 Weight Loss Winners: How the Stars Slimmed Down

LARRY KING INTERVIEWS OPRAH'S 'TEAM'

Below is the transcript to Larry King's interview with Oprah's expert group of 'best-lifers'...I know there's a whole little army out there of anti-O's out there.  Frankly, it may be time to get over yourselves.  I think it's admirable for a person to put themselves out there on such a deep level.  What Oprah has done has helped millions and millions of people--she's allowed her inner-most demons to be put on display.  I hear folks say things like, 'I would never do that...she just likes the publicity...she's immodest...she's a publicity whore...etc'.  No one has asked you to do it, and frankly few would looking at the how our society <i>loves</i> to attack women who are strong or opinionated or who emotionally open up.  What Oprah has done is emotionally give herself to others in hopes we are not fearful of seeking help for our own demons and problems.  Few have this type of relationship with the people in their life they are closest with (mom, dad, sister, spouse, partner, children), let alone the world!

I am grateful and appreciate her willingness to share her life with us.  I have learned and continue to learn from her.  I have to say, I'm really appreciate other <i>women</i> in my life right now, especially older women...I just learn so much from them and appreciate their wisdom. 

Click below for the link:
Larry King interviews Oprah's 'team'

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.