Celebrity Diets

[chameleon]

In today's NY Times (article is free but registration req'd) there's an article about the upcoming Cameron Diaz-Toni Collette movie In Her Shoes where it says Toni gained 30 pounds to play the role of Cameron's mousy, overweight older sister. This is just as big a deal as Renee Zellweger gaining for Bridget Jones - why is there no coverage of this, no breathless stories about Toni's bravery, no obsession with her plans for losing weight again? Collette may not be as famous as Renee but this is surely just as big a feat for an actress as Renee's trick.

[spinsterliz]

I think it's a step in the right direction that the media isn't doing their usual "Ohmigod she is a FAT PIG!!! That's so brave!!!" act regarding Toni.

But I do think it's weird that Renee got so much attention for the same thing. I think it's because Renee simply would. not. shut. up. about. it. How she felt so huge, how she could never go through that again, how she wanted to wear a fat suit for the sequel, blah blah. And then, of course, she did it a second time after all, probably because she wanted more mass media attention and was willing to go down the "Let me tell y'all what it was like to be a whale," road again. Personally, I wish she'd have just said, "Yeah, I gained some weight. And I dropped it. Whatever." Especially since I've read that the little drama queen gained as little as 12-14 lbs for each flick!

[thingee]

Toni got a lot of attention the first time she gained weight for a role (Muriel's Wedding) so maybe it's just old news.

[Yossarian]

Eva Mendes' diet woes. It's refreshing to hear from a celeb who doesn't have a *naturally fast metabolism* or who *just can't keep the pounds on* or just has extra weight *melt away* due to her heavy schedule.

Once a food junkie and exercise phobe, Eva Mendes discovers the rewards of living a healthier lifestyle. The March issue of Shape, on stands now, has all of Eva’s insider tips.

When Eva decided to transform her body by changing her diet and beginning an exercise program, she turned to her super-fit friend Halle Berry for advice.

Halle suggested Eva meet with Harley Pasternak, the fitness coach whom Halle trained with for her role in Catwoman. Shape gives readers a peek into the strategy Eva used to drop pounds and tone up.

Born in Miami and raised in LA, Eva is the youngest of four kids in a Cuban family. “I grew up eating meat, potatoes, black beans, rice and a lot of white bread,” says Eva. By the time she was in her 20’s and a struggling actress living on her own, Eva had become what she calls a nutritional disaster. “I was in my car all day, running from audition to audition, living off of Jack in the Box,” she says. “I had no energy and was moody, and I didn’t look as cute in my jeans as I used to,” she says.

Her solution was to find healthy alternatives to her old faves by picking foods that had similar flavors or textures. “Learning to love fresh greens hasn’t been easy,” admits Eva. “My goal is to actually one day crave salads, but I’m not there yet.”

When Eva decided to adjust her habits, she knew very little about diet and exercise. But because her trainer’s style is to explain the “how” and, more importantly, the “why” behind each exercise and food choice, his clients understand the rationale for them- and they are more likely to stick with the program.

The best lesson she has learned in the last year is, however, is to really appreciate her body. “I’ve kept my curvy shape, but now my body is toned and defined,” she says. “I wake up with more energy, I’m on track nutritionally, and I’m learning to have fun at the gym. I’ve never felt better!”

[marywebgirl]

That is pretty refreshing to hear. Especially compared to, say, Beyonce, another woman who is admired for her curvy figure. She's commented that when she lost weight for Dreamgirls and again for the SI cover she only mentioned not eating anything, not eating healthier things and working out. And while I certainly don't think she's fat, she has zero muscle tone.

[Deleted]

Yeah, Beyonce claimed that she lost weight for Dreamgirls doing that "master cleanse" diet which is pretty much just a detoxifier and is not meant for weight loss---unless temporary water weight loss is a huge goal for you and you are eager to gain the weight back within a few months of stopping the daily lemon/maple syrup drinks.

[Yossarian]

Carmen Electra on staying in shape. Click on images to read the text.

[satellite]

Any thoughts on Valerie Bertinelli in People and those weight loss ads?

[ivy]

I saw some of ET last night and they mentioned Gwen Stefani is going to be in Harper's Bazaar magazine (I think) talking about her extreme dieting and calling it a "nightmare".

She makes me sad. Why does she talk about dieting so much? It really seems to consume her whole life. I've read interviews with her where she admitted she consumes only lettuce, fish, and water almost all the time. How can someone who works out so much still have to eat that way? She must gain weight very, very easily. She bugs me sometimes, but I feel kind of sorry for her.

[Auroranorth]

She's 5'6" and desperately trying to be a size 4 when she's not really constructed to be that thin. I'm not surprised she's miserable.