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Debra Messing Took the Pressure Off and Lost Weight

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Debra Messing looks absolutely vibrant on the cover of Shape's January issue, and why shouldn't she have that radiant smile? The actress's outlook on life is positive and she hopes that 2009 will be her healthiest year yet, and it seems this beautiful redhead is more than capable of accomplishing her personal goals. I've always been a fan of the funny actress, but developed a new sense of appreciation for Debra after learning her attitude toward the opinion of others.

Regarding her post-pregnancy weight, she told Shape, "It was written about in the tabloids a lot. On one page it showed all the actresses who got skinny in six weeks or less, and on the other page was me!" This external criticism didn't get her too down though, and after briefly working out with a trainer she realized that she needed to figure out a routine that fit her lifestyle, not the expectations of others.

To see how she lost the 42 pounds she gained during her pregnancy,

Digital Body Morphing Tool: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:30:00 -0800

When it comes to body image issues, it's safe to say that many of us have trouble accepting our bodies as they are. For every positive influence there seems to be one negative, which makes it even more difficult to believe that perfection is an unattainable and unproductive goal. Health should be the number-one concern when we're getting fit and making the best eating choices — but then again, we all have personal ideas of an ideal physical appearance. In a recent issue of Life and Style, the gossip mag showed side-by-side photos of Michelle Trachtenberg posing on a red carpet — they were the same photo, except one was a slimmed down image of the already trim actress. The magazine used a website called WeightView.com that allows users to upload pictures of themselves for free, and the site generates new versions of ourselves that can make us look up to 50 pounds thinner. I can see how viewing a slimmed-down version of oneself could be motivating for some people, but I can also see how these images could perpetuate dissatisfying body images in people who are perfectly healthy. What do you think? Is it a cool tool to help people get motivated? Or is it an uncool tool that could be harmful to the already fragile issue of body image?

Digital Body Morphing Tool: Cool or Not?

Cool!

Not cool!

Undecided — Please explain below.

Navel Gazing at the VS Fashion Show

FitSugar — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:30:00 -0800

The annual Victoria's Secret fashion show always causes quite a stir. Alessandra Ambrosio impressed us all with her amazing post-baby body, having given birth to her daughter less than three months before the runway show. Amid the grandiose wings and sexy apparel, did anyone notice that Karolina Kurkova doesn't really have a belly button, but rather a smooth indentation in the middle of her midriff?

Karolina's lack of a belly button caught the attention of the BBC. They are reporting that the Czech model voted the world's sexiest woman by E!, has never explained her lack of a decidedly "innie" or "outie" navel except to explain through her agent that she "is not an alien."

To see how someone could lose her belly button, just

How The Hills' Whitney Port Keeps Her Long Legs Lean

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:30:00 -0800

We're always rooting for Lauren Conrad around here, and that's something we have in common with her level-headed best friend Whitney Port. Lauren will have to say goodbye to the easy-going blonde when Whitney leaves her pals on The Hills and moves to New York, where she'll star in the East Coast version of the show, The City. OK! magazine interviewed the up-and-coming fashion designer, and the answers give us a peek into what Whitney is all about.

When asked if she feels pressure to be thin in Hollywood, Whitney gives a relatable answer and says, "Yes and no. There are days that I care more than others. Then there are days where you step back and realize you can't always be so presentable."

To see what Whitney does to stay in shape,

Fittingly Mad: Skinny Dressing Room Mirrors

FitSugar — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 06:04:00 -0700

I don't know too many people who enjoy trying on clothes in dressing rooms. Not only is it annoying that sizing varies so much from store to store, but the ginormous mirror and bright lights are utterly unforgiving. You can end up spending more time criticizing your imperfections than checking out the clothes! Store designers must know the emotional pain we endure in those tiny rooms, and that's why they designed skinny mirrors.

You know the ones I'm talking about, where you try on that skintight pair of jeans and your booty never looked so good. You think, "Wow, those squats are really working." Then when you get home and try them on again, they just don't look the same. Somehow your tiny bum has expanded in the 20 minutes it took to drive home.

I'm sure stores think we owe them a huge thank you for making our dressing room experiences more pleasant, but ultimately it's a huge disappointment. I don't need some stupid mirror making me look thinner than I really am. What do you think about them? Are you psyched with what you see, or do you think this deception is just a marketing ploy to get you to spend more money?

Source

Today Is National Love Your Body Day!

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

One of the most common things women have a hard time doing is completely loving their bodies. Try and let that go and do your best to stop focusing on your own negative body image issues today for National Love Your Body Day. The driving force behind such a fabulous day is the National Organization for Women Foundation (a.k.a. NOW), which encourages all women to:

Make a pact with yourself to treat your body with respect, and do things to promote positive body image. For example, try a new physical activity just for fun, not to lose weight. Stop weighing yourself, and change your goal from weight loss to improving your health.

So let's work on loving our bodies today and every day that follows. I've grown to love my body because of the amazing things it does and in turn, lets me do. From creating my two healthy daughters to taking me through my first triathlon, I've truly come to appreciate my body for its inherent intelligence and never-ending strength. Why do you love your body? Share the love in the comments section below.

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Speak Up: How Do You Feel About Working Out in Public?

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Some of us use the crowds at the gym to motivate us to exercise harder, while some of us get paralyzed by exercising in front of other folks. In a recent interview, Ricky Gervais said that he just bought a house with a gym in the basement, not because of convenience, but so he never has to exercise in public. His sentiments lead me to think about my friend who basically only uses exercise videos to work out because she has the same reservations as The Office creator.

Me, I am not one to worry about what others think, though I do save some of my "hip-thrusting" moves for home workouts. I know my pal and Gervais are not alone here, so what are your thoughts about exercising in public. Does it motivate you or mortify you? Or are you indifferent? Speak up and share your thoughts below.

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Cheryl Burke: "You Don't Have to Be Anorexic to Be Beautiful!"

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Dancing With the Stars is in full swing right now, and I'm always impressed with how strong and toned everyone becomes over the course of the show. After the media pounced on her for potentially gaining a few pounds, Cheryl Burke is speaking out by reminding everyone that being confident is beautiful. The professional dancer recently told People:

I want kids or women out there to realize you don’t have to be anorexic to be beautiful. There’s a lot of pressure living this Hollywood life. People expect to see you at a certain weight and when you gain a few pounds then all of a sudden it’s the talk of the week.

People will always have an opinion about you, whether it’s good or it’s bad. But most important is to have a secure feeling about yourself and know that you’re beautiful regardless of what people think of you. When I was younger, I wasn’t stick thin. I wasn’t tall. I don’t have long legs. I wasn’t naturally skinny. As I grew older, I just became more comfortable in my own skin.

Cheryl is a strong woman and I'm pleased to see her standing up to the pressures to be super thin in Hollywood. Strong is beautiful, and there isn't a thing wrong with having a few womanly curves!

Pacific Coast News Online

"Unfit Brit" in People Magazine: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0700

In a recent issue of People magazine, I came across an article titled "Britney Spears: Body Makeover." The write-up details Britney's weight-loss methods: returning to her gym-rat ways, giving up fast food, and healthy meals delivered to her door. For the past three months, she has been working with a trainer, doing a lot of cardio as well as lots of dancing. People declares that Brit is "back in the zone."While I think it is great to see press about Britney mending her ways and going healthy, but then there's the caption on the "before" photo? "An Unfit Brit." I wouldn't say she was unfit, just not as fit as before having two kids and a nervous breakdown; to me she this singer looks normal, healthy, and not underweight. Don't get me started about "Britney's New Body Checklist." It's like a grocery list, where they dissect her body into parts. Flat Tummy? Check. Toned Arms? Check. No Double Chin? Check. With articles like this, no wonder so many women have issues with their weight.What do you think? Is it cool to comment on how Britney's looking more fit and toned now? Or is it uncool to comment on how bad she looked before, when she looked normal?

"Unfit Brit" in People Magazine: Cool or Not?

Cool!

Not Cool!

Undecided — Please explain below.

Reality Check: Eva Longoria Parker Is Not Pregnant — She's Just Fat?

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

You know and love Eva Longoria Parker from watching Desperate Housewives. Her character Gabrielle has always been notably petite and toned, so when an actress with that physique gains a few pounds, rumors start flying. The media continues to pry and ask Eva when her baby is due, and Longoria Parker has attempted to put the speculations to rest by saying, "I'm just fat." The actress only gained 10 pounds! She's gone from a size 00 to a size 0. Since when is size 0 considered too big? Um, I don't know which is worse — the media making a big deal about Eva getting slightly plumper or the fact that she called herself fat. At 5'2", she'd have to weigh over 136 pounds in order to be considered overweight when it comes to BMI. Gabby is still a twig, and personally, I can't even tell she's gained weight.

I think it is good for Eva's health that she's added a few pounds to her frame. Extreme thinness is not healthy and it's important for every woman, especially the young ones, to see actresses with curves.

Source

Fatguy Shirts: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0700

As the name suggests, Fatguy Shirts are mostly aimed at men, but some of these designs (and there are many) clearly have women in mind. On the one hand, I'm all for embracing a healthy body image, but most of these tees just seem mean. What do you think? Would you be proud to wear any of these? Do you find them refreshing or irresponsible?

Fatguy Shirts: Cool or Not?

Cool!

Not cool!

Undecided — Please explain!

Finish This Sentence: Trying on Clothes in a Dressing Room . . .

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Shopping for clothes can be a harrowing experience. Between the low quality of the lighting in many dressing rooms and the almost randomness of the sizing, it is normal for your self esteem to plummet when trying on the trendy white jeans. Fitness recently conducted a survey about the highs and lows of clothes shopping and what happens behind closed dressing room doors. The results are interesting and might feel a little familiar. Here are some highlights from the 1,0001 women poll:

64 percent said trying on clothes in public lowers their self confidence

10 percent have cried in dressing rooms about the way they look

15 percent have accidentally ripped or gotten stuck in a garment that was too small

40 percent of the women have bought something that was too small, hoping it would look good once they lost weight

14 percent of the women have refused sales help so they wouldn't have to reveal their size

41 percent have started working out after a shopping trip

Body image, health and self esteem are all tied up in one big ball. So tell me you would finish this sentence.Source

Finish This Sentence: Trying on Clothes in a Dressing Room . . .

Brings me to tears.

Makes me obsess about a body part I never really pay attention to.

Motivates me to work out.

Inspires me to flex my muscles.

Leads me to check myself out naked from all angles.

Other — share the detail below.

Reality Check: Ali Larter Is Insecure, Just Like the Rest of Us

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:30:00 -0700

While reading a recent issue of Allure magazine I found myself confronted with the fact that when it all comes down to it, all women are plagued with insecurities, even if you're Ali Larter. Here are highlights:

"I’m an indulger, but then I have to be good," the actress says. "I’m also going to get my butt out and go for a run tomorrow."

Larter has no illusions about what is expected of her. She once had to have her thighs duct-taped before a photo shoot because, she says, “they were a little too round.” Another time, while she was shooting a movie on location, the filmmakers noticed that Larter had put on a few pounds.

To see how she handled such criticisms about her body just

Christina Applegate's Thoughts on Self

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:30:00 -0700

Christina Applegate has basically grown up on TV so she's seen her fair share of body image issues, which is why it's nice to hear her head screwed on straight when it comes to her own health. She recently sat down with Self to talk about how she stays healthy and confident in an unhealthy industry. Here are highlights:

On dealing with stress: I watch TV in bed. It's terrible, but it's the only way I can close off my mind and relax. If I just get into bed and turn the lights off, my brain talks to me way too much, so it's better if I can escape with something else for a minute. I try not to get stressed. When I do, I just get really tired. At those times, I'll go running. It's the best way of getting that energy out of your system so it's not festering.

There's more, including what her exercise routine looks like and how she keeps confident so

Speak Up: Do Mom's Body Image Comments Matter?

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:30:00 -0700

Denise Richards recently told Shape Magazine that she'd never talk about weight around her two young daughters. Furthermore she said, "And they'll never hear me say, 'Mommy's feeling fat today.' That kind of attitude just makes young girls grow up to be dissatisfied with their bodies." And while I can't say I agree with Denise subjecting her daughters to be on her new reality show, it seems as if she's definitely got the body image thing right. I totally agree with her on keeping her, "Do I look fat?" comments to herself. Daughters will mimic their mother's actions right down to asking if they look fat in their pull-ups, which could lead to their own body image issues down the road.

As always I am curious about you guys. Did your mother talk about her own body image issues in front of you when you were growing up? Did it affect you at all? Further more, if you have kids, do you talk about your own body image issues in front of them and do you see it affecting them at all? So speak up and share your comments below.

Source

Kate Hudson: At Peace in a Two Piece

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:24:43 -0800

Kate Hudson, who's been under pregnancy watch for some time now, has no problem strutting around in a bikini. Perhaps she signed the Body Peace Project, but Kate seems to be totally at peace with her own body image. Or at least that is what she recently told Total Film magazine about her role in Fool's Gold. Here's more:

"I've danced my whole life, I work out all the time and I'm not worried about being totally perfect.

[My character is] a diver, so I'm not wearing this tiny string bikini; they're more the Speedo-type bikini – you know, the ones that cover pretty much everything."

What about you guys? Bathing suit season is just around the corner, so are you too worried about being perfect to wear a bathing suit or will you rock your suit no matter what?

Pacific Coast News Online

Could You Sign a Body Peace Treaty?

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:45:00 -0800

For obvious reasons, I'm not a regular reader of Seventeen, but I'm always psyched to pick up a teen magazine and see stories promoting positive body image. Seventeen is especially great about this, and it's even gone so far as to create a Body Peace Treaty that women of all ages can sign, declaring that they will be more accepting of their bodies.

The pledge, which has been signed by celebs like Miley Cyrus, Hayden Panettiere, Fergie, and Ciara, lists 12 promises women should keep in order to avoid being obsessed with food and weight. To see my favorites from the list,

Speak Up: What's Your Best Feature?

FitSugar — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 02:30:00 -0800

Remember a while ago I posted a video called A Fat Rant? Well the woman in that video made this one about body image called "Totally Awesome."

As women, we spend so much time obsessing about the parts of our bodies we want to change, that we overlook the parts that are perfect. This isn't healthy for our self image, and if we could instead focus on the features we're proud of, we'd feel happier and more confident about ourselves. So think about it. Do you have a great butt, strong arms, or toned calves? Tell me, what part of your body do you love?

Need Motivation? Get to Your Happy Weight

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:30:00 -0800

I recently came across this great little slide show on Glamour.com about real women and how they got to their "happy weights" — a weight that they were finally happy with themselves about. I loved it because it's just one of those things that you read and it makes you feel good. It's not about being rail thin; it's about being healthy. It's refreshing to see that these women had found happiness in their body images, giving hope for all of us who are not quite there yet. Here's an exerpt:

My Happy Weight: 140 pounds
“Last spring, I changed my diet and started working out five times a week. It was a personal victory—I’ve never felt stronger.” —Jocelyn Cooley, 38, 5’2”

Scroll through all the slides — if you're like me, you'll get that "Hey, I can do that too" attitude, which is a fabulous way to start the new year.

Do you have a "happy weight"? If so, feel free to share it in the comments section below.

Source

Jennifer Love Hewitt Sets the Record Straight

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:45:00 -0800

The recently engaged Jennifer Love Hewitt is fighting back against media scrutiny over her weight during a celebratory trip to Hawaii with her fiancé. After some invasive pictures were strewn across the internet of Hewitt, she posted comments on her own blog striking back about how ridiculous it all is. She writes:

"I've sat by in silence for a long time now about the way women's bodies are constantly scrutinized. To set the record straight, I'm not upset for me, but for all of the girls out there that are struggling with their body image.

A size 2 is not fat! Nor will it ever be. And being a size 0 doesn't make you beautiful.

What I should be doing is celebrating some of the best days of my life and my engagement to the man of my dreams, instead of having to deal with photographers taking invasive pictures from bad angles. I know what I look like, and so do my friends and family. And like all women out there should, I love my body.

To all girls with butts, boobs, hips, and a waist, put on a bikini — put it on and stay strong."

I know I say this a lot but, you go girl! Do you think she did the right thing by speaking out?

Source

Daisy Fuentes in Fitness Magazine

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 11:00:00 -0700

We are offered a breath of fresh air in the world of magazine covers as lovely Daisy Fuentes graces the cover of the September issue of Fitness Magazine as their first Mind, Body Spirit Superstar (a fab way to generate awareness of top women’s health causes and work to promote change).

Along with reminding all women not to be too hard on themselves, she talks mainly about her new focus in life: Positive body image.

Fitness: Do you think our society has an obsession with thinness?
Daisy: Yeah. There was a time when I was caught up in it too. I had to stop myself from saying, “I’m fat.” It’s not good for your self-esteem, and it’s not good for the people around you. I see moms with little girls who say, “I’m fat. I can’t eat that.” We need to stop doing that. We have to set an example for younger girls.

Fitness: Do Hispanic women feel the pressure to be thin?
Daisy: I think we do. There’s a part of you that really wants to embrace your curves, then there’s society saying no one likes curves. It takes someone as confident as Jennifer Lopez to turn a body part that’s often considered a flaw into something hot. The lesson? Stop listening to society and focus on yourself.

There's more, including when she feels best about her body and her typical diet, so

Heidi Klum Needs Her Muffins, Among Other Things

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Why I love Heidi Klum? Let me count thee ways... Well first of all she seems to have a pretty good grasp on her own body image despite constantly being in the public eye.

As it turns out, even The Body has struggled with her weight. People.com got the scoop:

"I was never a skinny, skinny type – the more I tried, the worse it was. I'd think about food more than ever. They'd say 'You have to lose weight', and I'd be like, 'All I can think about is muffins!' " she says. "I don't want to get too skinny. I still want to have a round, womanly figure."

She further admits to trying to cut carbs and candy to lose some pregnancy weight, but is "not a freak with working out and food." She admits, "I always eat the profiteroles. I eat the pasta when I want it."

Pass the profiteroles Heidi! It's refreshing to have a model speak about enjoying treats every once in a while. What's even better? I actually believe her, which is more than I have to say about half of Hollywood's skinny minnys who often claim, "Oh I eat french fries every day." She recently bared it all for the cover of Arena and I'm thinking she's one hot momma.

Tracey Gold: An Inspirational Survivor

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 11:00:03 -0800

We knew her as Carol Seaver on the hit show Growing Pains about the picture-perfect 80's family. Later, it came out that Tracey Gold was suffering from anorexia. After plummeting to 80 pounds and nearly dying, she was forced to leave the show, and enter rehab in 1992.

Tracey wrote a book about her traumatic and moving experience of her journey to recovery called Room to Grow: An Appetite for Life. In it, she describes her feelings and experiences with anorexia, and how she managed to survive through it.

She says, "My hope is that in sharing my experiences, battles and hard-earned knowledge, Room to Grow will be something people can turn to for help, a source of comfort and encouragement. It is for every sister, daughter, friend or boyfriend whose life has been touched by anorexia nervosa. This is my story. I hope it helps."

It's an inspirational story outlining the truth about women and the pressure they feel about their body image. Buy it through Amazon.

Lohan Loves Junk, But Hates Carbs

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 10:25:15 -0800

Lindsay Lohan has recently been reported as saying that she loves junk food, as long as it doesn't have any carbs.

Hmmm.

Mirror.uk.com claims that Lohan confessed, "I eat all types of things. I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich today. I like McDonald's and sushi but I can't do any carbs or any sugar." And that, "It's OK not to like your body, but you'll grow into it."

Thanks Lindsay, we'll be crossing you off our healthy and positive role models for 2006 list. Here's the thing, if you are going to go low-carb, you've got to make sure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables. Junk food (even if it is candy in the shape of a fruit) does not provide much nutritionally.

In other news, Lohan has been stripping for a living, check out popsugar.com to read more.

My Virtual Model

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:30:00 -0800

Working hard at losing (or gaining) those few extra pounds and want to get an idea of how you're going to look when you've reached your goal?

The things you can do online never cease to amaze me. My Virtual Model is this cool site that allows you to basically create a virtual you. The best is that you can dress yourself up in clothing from participating retailers.

Pretty cool! Here is mine:

What do you think -- Does it look like me? To do your own Virtual Model, go here.