Unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard that TV has-been Valerie Bertinelli has dropped a pile of weight recently (40 lbs. in 8 months, to be exact, according to press reports). In fact, that "achievement" won her the cover of People magazine recently. Ditto for singers Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey, actress Kirstie Alley, and reality star Nicole Richie.
Indeed, countless magazine articles accompanied by numerous paparazzi photos have been devoted to detailed discussions of these celebs' weight issues. Whole trees have been sacrificed at the altar of their battles of the bulge. Why are we so fascinated with the fluctuating weight patterns of these flaky celebs anyway? I mean, what does this say about us?
Lose Weight, Get Famous
I admit it--I secretly enjoy reading those tacky supermarket tabloids. And the 'weight winners and losers' issues always make me look twice (and if the cover photo was compelling enough, I've even bought a few!). To me, this underscores the transformative power of weight loss, especially for a celeb. Case in point: Nicole Richie. Say what you will about her alleged eating disorder or drug addiction, but there's no denying that she has undergone a dramatic makeover since losing a ton of weight since her first season of "The Simple Life." Back then, she was Paris Hilton's chubby, dumpy sidekick. Now, after having dropped what appears to be at least 20 lbs., Richie looks chic and pulled together on the red carpet.
Same with Janet Jackson. Tabloid photos of her last year showed her covered (on a beach, no less!) in bulky, oversized sweat suits. Now, photos show a slimmed-down Janet looking svelte in designer gowns at high-profile events.
And while we're discussing weight, let's not forget the queen of yo-yo dieting, media mogul Oprah Winfrey. Over the years, her startling weight fluctuations have experienced more ups and downs than the financial markets. As much money, fame and power as Oprah has, even she has admitted to feeling "ashamed" and "embarrassed" when she was heavier. Which just goes to show, even the rich-and-famous have the same insecurities as the rest of us.
Thinness: the New Holy Grail
So why, I wonder, are we so fascinated with who's losing or gaining? I can only attribute it to our society's quest for the Holy Grail, which the tabloids eagerly sell to the public as "weight-loss secrets of the stars." Because of how much we as a society idealize and idolize celebrities, we somehow think they--with their access to high-priced nutritionists and personal trainers--must have uncovered some deep, dark, top-secret "solution" for losing weight. Think about it; it's a lot easier to dismiss a celeb's weight loss to plastic surgery, dieticians and trainers than to admit that even with their army of helpers, they still have to work out, diet, and do the "dirty work" themselves.
I don't begrudge celebs their access to people who can make their fitness goals easier to achieve. This is because I understand that it's a celeb's job to look good, and that their paycheck and image are directly affected by their appearance. The tabloids play on our misguided hope that there's a "secret formula" for getting fit to sell their magazines. In reality, the "secret" has been the same all along: The only successful formula for being fit is to exercise and eat right consistently.
It's Not Rocket Science
While poring over celebs' astonishing before-and-after weight loss photos is fun, it's important to keep in mind that being healthy and fit are within our control. Having an army of nutritionists and personal trainers might ease the journey to fitness, but at the end of the day, we each control our fitness destiny.
To me, this knowledge is much more empowering than some over-hyped "diet secret" of some flaky actress. Besides, I'm sure Janet, Mariah, and others will eventually regain all their weight just like the rest of us--unless, of course, they keep at it with exercise and a proper diet.
