Double-churned ice cream and lime-flavored Tostitos;
Celebrity gossip and “Jersey Shore” guidos;
Pretty new shoeboxes wrapped up in strings;
These are a few of my favorite things.
Hey, don’t judge. We all have them – guilty pleasures we know offer us no benefit, and yet we can’t shy away.
And since these guilty little pleasures are usually enjoyed in private, it’s even harder to get moral support to fight them.
It may seem like everyone around you is either the perfect weight or doesn’t care enough to change and wants to drag you down with them. Guess what? You aren’t alone. You may set them on a pedestal and think their lives are perfect, but there are plenty of celebs who struggle right along with us mere mortals.
My goal this new year is not to give up all that I derive intense guilty pleasure from, but rather, to indulge in some while possibly squashing others.
How do you suppose I do that? Celebrity gossip, of course! So, they might not hold the secrets to a righteous and happy life, but celebrities offer a ton of entertainment if you’re the voyeur type.
Just when you think you’re the only one still trudging away at your New Year’s resolution, think of celebs past and present who’ve joined the Jenny Craig ranks: Marie Osmond, Queen Latifah, Valerie Bertinelli, Kirstie Alley and the newest recruit, Jason Alexander.
Or Weight Watchers: Jenny McCarthy and Fergie, Duchess of York.
Nutrisystem has had its share of NFL stars – Don Shula and Dan Marino – and even a “90210” diva, Tori Spelling.
We can actually learn something from Hollywood hype, and diet tips may be that one thing besides how to ruin a marriage. Here are a few tips from the stars according to modeldiet.com – none of which are too radical. Anyone could follow these.
n Jennifer Lopez never drinks and doesn’t do anything drastic to diet. She merely eats a balanced diet. That seems obvious enough.
n Oprah Winfrey tries to avoid carbs at all costs. As we all know, that can be pretty tough. Keep on truckin’, O!
n Carrie Underwood, although now at a fantastic weight after dropping her “Idol” pounds, still tracks everything she eats. Get that pen and paper handy.
n Jennifer Aniston sticks to The Zone diet and is religious about her yoga. It definitely helps when you find a fitness routine you enjoy.
n Paris Hilton drinks a bottle of water before every meal. It’s a great way to help fill up.
n Pamela Anderson brushes her teeth whenever she gets a sweet craving. Way to keep it clean, Pam!
Obviously, all these stars have access to world-renowned trainers and private chefs, but sometimes it isn’t all about the monumental changes, but rather, the small things you can control every day. So, the next time you go to reach for tortilla chips or a pint of ice cream, reach for the nearest People or US Weekly instead and enjoy a juicy piece of gossip or celebrity tip.
Craves and Raves appears on the third Wednesday of the month. Kerry Lowe can be reached at ka.lowe@yahoo.com.
