A Real Model's Diet - the Inside Skinny!

The Supermodel Diet … 
It’s not all about cutting carbs, starving or cabbage soup.

Many people ask me how models stay skinny? Convinced of some supermodel secret to dieting, everyone wants the short cut. Truth is, there is none. Some women, believe it or not, really don’t have to obsess over their weight. However, I have noticed some commonalities to the way my model friends eat that I want to share with you because models aren’t the only ones who like to look thin. 

Adhere to a Routine. Models tend to eat the same thing every day for breakfast. One of my best skinny model friends has a bowl of hot oatmeal, raisins and skim milk … EVERY SINGLE MORNING! This makes choosing what to eat a no-brainer and takes the variable of adding in extra calories out of the equation.

Brown bag your lunch. If you are grabbing something on the go, when ordering out do it the model way:

• Linda Evangelista has been quoted saying, “ I don’t diet. I just don’t eat as much as I’d like to.”  Order an appetizer as your entrée. Portion control is KEY and this method does it for you. If you’re with a friend order 2 apps and split them for variety.

• Skip the sauces and choose tomato or oil and vinegar in place of mayo, cream or butter sauces. Better yet, order all topping on the side and use sparingly.

• Use spices! According to a Forbes article, models that make the most money often eat fibrous foods with spices to speed up their metabolism. So reach for the red pepper flakes and hot sauce girls!

• What keeps me skinny is that I only eat food I really like. If something is on my plate that is just so-so, I leave it. It's important to be mindful of what you're eating and why.

Eat Green and Only White if it's protien . This is an easy trick we can all use. When you are making choices remember to load up on green leafy vegetables and keep away from any white processed carbs (bread, pasta, cookies, rice) Eating white only for protein  - egg whites, chicken, turkey, pork or fish.

Get Moving. Most models don’t aspire to have that hardcore, muscle-bound bodybuilder figure, but when interviewed you will hear ALL of them talk about doing some sort of regular exercise like yoga, pilates, or jogging ... several days a week – No Excuses!

Snack. At runway shows, it is common practice for the producers to bring in food platters. What is interesting is that the fruit and veggies trays are always empty, while the sandwich plates and chip bowls remain full. Models know that it’s important to snack on healthy low calorie foods. They are careful to never arrive anywhere feeling ravenous. I always carry a granola bar or nuts in my model tote when I show up for a job. Eating a banana and drinking a bottle of water before dinner will  help you eat less and pass on the bread basket or seconds because you already feel full. By the way, models are always drinking water and staying well hydrated!

Supplement. The Aussie supermodel, Elle Macpherson is reportedly a fan of dietary fish oil and makes foods like makerel and salmon, which coincidentally are good for glowing skin, a beauty staple. Emergen C and vitamins are also on a model’s list.

Work a Party. VIP invitations are always coming to models via their agency, promoters and social networks. Many believe that most models exist strictly on cigarettes, caffeine and alcohol, but lots of supermodels, like Heidi Klum, avoid alcohol. Most people realize that alcohol is filled with empty calories so drink sparkling water from a wine glass or a Diet Coke in between your cocktails. Also, carry a purse so you can’t snack as easily with your hands free.

Contrary to popular belief, not all supermodels have an eating disorder or believe in dieting, but they are motivated to keep a disciplined routine when it comes to eating. The secret comes from finding the sweet spot … a happy weight and an achievable way to maintain it.

Once you have the diet down pat, check out my other post on how to Make your Legs Look Longer or The Dream Diet: How to Lose Weight While you Sleep

To learn more model's secrets to looking your best and taking your best photos check out my new book Face This: Real advice from real models, photographers and makeup artists on how to become Picture Perfect! Available for just $7.99 on Kindle, Nook and iTunes. Also as paperback from Amazon.com

 

Skinny Fat - Ideal Body Weight Will Not Make You Immune!

Your dress size just may be luring you into a false sense of security when it comes to this subject.

Skinny fat seems to be a contradictory term, after all its what’s on the inside that counts - Right? Well, being thin doesn’t mean you're healthy! And this skinny girl, is here to tell  you that just because you are close to your ideal body weight does not mean that you aren't suffering from skinny fat ... models included! 

What is skinny fat? Although not scientifically defined, here are some urban dictionary quotes to help you understand this concept:

“Skinny fat is a self induced syndrome where an individual is fairly close to their healthy weight, or even at their healthy weight, but they have little if any muscle definition. The sufferer generally doesn’t exercise regularly or is a habitual on and off again exerciser. The sufferer also generally doesn’t follow any type of healthy nutrition plan, rather they eat anything and everything they want.”

“This term is used when a person is thin, yet does not eat healthy or take care of themselves. They think they don’t need to watch the junk they eat because they are thin. They can be more unhealthy then an overweight person.”

And finally for the visual we have all seen (Yikes) too many times:

“Skinny-fat girls usually wear clothes that are TOO small for their 'not so skinny' bodies. A skinny-fat girl usually may wear a pair of low-rise jeans that are WAY too tight causing her fat to spill out of the top of her pants.”

Primarily associated with the female gender is another pesky problem of fat distribution called cellulite. According to a study by Neutrogena, 70 percent of women have cellulite. Improving your diet and exercise is a perfect way to start repairing this uneven skin appearance. If your tummy, butt and thighs are flaccid and subcutaneous fat is layered on top of those muscles, it will contribute to the hail damage you see there. Losing weight and Resistance training or Pilates is a definite must for minimizing the appearance of cellulite.

When it comes to being fit, experts say there is no short cut! (By the way, save your money because cellulite creams don’t work.) If you want to be healthy you need to incorporate weight bearing exercises into a low fat diet and go for the burn!