Much Ado About Weight Loss Among Black Hollywood

More than ever, celebrities are cashing in on weight loss endorsements. And at some point, I'm sure you've all witnessed the countless weight loss advertisements featuring African-American celebrities, with Jennifer Hudson (Weight Watchers), Janet Jackson (NutriSystem), and Mariah Carey (Jenny Craig) being the most recent additions. While, I'm happy at the increase of African-American endorsements and health awareness I'm skeptical as to whether or not these advertisements are giving off the right impression. Are weight loss programs (such as Weight Watcher's, Nutrisystem, and Jenny Craig) enough to obtain a Hollywood figure?

Last year, Jennifer Hudson's trainer, Harley Pasternak, revealed her exercise routine to PeopleStyleWatch.com:

Hudson started off with a 25-minute circuit-training routine of cardio, lunges, shoulder presses, and ab exercises five days a week. Eight months later, she's worked her way up to 50-minute routines, now including 25 additional minutes of cardio.

Much is the same for Janet Jackson. Jackson's personal trainer, Tim Martinez, told Ebony magazine that: "Jackson lost 60 lbs. by following an exercise routine that included a 90-minute workout five to six days a week".

And according to People.com, Mariah Carey's exercise routine consisted mainly of water aerobics.

Although, weight loss advertisements may add some insight into how celebrities lose weight, in reality, it's only half the story. BET.com Health Reporter, Kellee Terral, said it best:

These people get paid for their looks, can afford private chefs and personal trainers, have time to work out 2-4 hours per day, and have assistants and life coaches to make sure they adhere to their strict diets in order to achieve these amazing results.

Unfortunately, these are luxuries that most of us do not have. But, that doesn't mean it's the end of the road. Although these weight loss advertisements may not paint an accurate overall picture of celebrity weight loss, they can at least, provide Black women with a sense of personal empowerment, relatability, and health awareness.

In reality, there aren't any "quick fixes" when it comes to weight loss. The key to sustaining weight loss lies in permanent lifestyle changes, which involve replacing bad habits with good ones.

One can only hope that in the future, weight loss programs will place less emphasis on image, and more on sustaining healthier lifestyles.

 

Comments

[blaqueathena]

06:09 PM on 04/25/2012

Most of the health issues in the AA community are associated with weight/lack of fitness in some way shape or form. The way to lose weight is to watch what you eat, drink more water and exercise. Yes these ladies doing the endorsements can afford personal trainers and chefs but to do those 2 things I mentioned you need either one. .. you need a plan and to stick with it. So I appreciate these ladies coming out and losing weight b/c for those that are Hollywood stalkers maybe they will see a path to being more healthy

[mombabytiger]

10:35 PM on 04/17/2012

I've had two heart attacks and am on a restricted diet. When I see obese women in the grocery store (usually accompanied by their chunky toddlers), stuffing a cart with total junk, I want to open my shirt and show them the scars of open heart surgery. A poor diet and lack of exercise will kill you. Is that bag of Dorito's and a 2-liter of Dr. Pepper really worth what you're going to go through eventually?

So, yes. At some level it's about beauty. Beautiful people are thin. But they are also healthy and that's more important.

[LadyGiGi 25]

03:47 PM on 04/18/2012

I'm glad you came out of surgery successfully, and I definitely agree with you!

[karenjaffe]

06:31 PM on 04/16/2012

And lets not forget it can be very motivating to receive a nice, fat check to lose and keep the weight off. These celebrity endorsers get paid a pretty penny to promote their brand. I would think with that amount of money on the line, these celebrities would work out all day if they had to. Not to take away from their accomplishments. I, of all people, as a graduate of WW know how difficult it can be, but I could use some of that monetary motivation to work out right now :-)

[kaniayubu]

03:11 PM on 04/16/2012

I couldn't agree with you more. Diet is important but I have never been a fan of weight loss programs that make me by their box lunches and dinners. I prefer fresh food as much as possible and I've never lost weight unless I exercised.

[grrlysquirrel]

02:45 PM on 04/16/2012

As someone who started Weight Watchers before they even thought about bringing in J-Hud, I can say that the emphasis is on changing your lifestyle and building healthy habits. In the past physical activity was almost a taboo subject in WW meetings but now there's lots of emphasis on getting out there and getting moving. Also, meeting leaders drive home the fact that once you reach your "magic number" there won't be a choir of angels singing and you won't find the holy grail. You can't go back to stuffing your face with whatever because you're "skinny" now. Once the weight is gone, it doesn't stay gone forever with no effort in maintaining the loss.

[blackdublin2006]

09:39 AM on 04/16/2012

I think the point of the celeb weight loss program endorsement serve to simply motivate people to join a program , get motivated and perhaps get a little healthier.

[MyNameIsJames]

06:10 PM on 04/15/2012

You make good points, but the message is sorely needed. There are too many people who are waddling down the streets, breathing very loudly and holding their heads up on their shoulders as if they are about to pass out. These type of instances really need to be reduced. I also think though that in addition to bad dieting - a lot of people are eating as a way to self medicate. If they are depressed, or stressed out - "good tasting food" is an immediate treat to the brain's reward system.

There are multiple issues here.