Weight Loss News
Jennifer Hudson Talks about Family Tragedy and Weight Loss with Oprah
Jennifer Hudson appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show Thursday to talk about her family tragedy that resulted in the loss of her mother, brother and nephew. Oprah also pressed the former American Idol contestant to share how much weight she has lost after finding success through the Weight Watchers program.
Hudson’s family members were murdered on October 24, 2008, in Chicago. Hudson’s sister’s estranged husband, William Balfour, was the accused murderer.
Hudson told Oprah, “It’s such a shocking thing and it’s a lot to take in,” according to ET. “It’s a very emotional subject.” Hudson credits her baby, God and the lessons she learned from family members for helping her though these hard times.
Oprah discussed Husdon’s weight loss and asked the singer how many pounds she has lost so far. According to CNN, Hudson’s reply was, “I’ve lost 80 pounds.”
Hudson’s decision to lose weight all started when she became pregnant, she shared. She continued that she is still adjusting to her new body and dropped from a size 16 to a size 6. “It’s like a brand new me,” she said. “Sometimes I don’t even recognize myself.”
Oprah surprised the audience in attendance with three, free one-year memberships to Weight Watchers at the end of her show. Hudson’s interview with Oprah airs on Thursday’s episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Kevin Smith On Weight Loss And His New Movie
Actor/Director Kevin Smith’s weight loss was the topic of discussion on CNN’s Joy Behar show last night. The New Jersey native said he has lost over 65 lbs in the past year after his public dispute with Southwest Airlines.
Last year, Southwest Airlines asked Kevin Smith to leave the plane he was already boarded on even though he was appropriately buckled up in his seat.
“What frustrated me more than anything in the world was I felt like nobody told the real story,” Smith said. “The real story was I was a consumer that a company … with poorly and without good reason and I spoke up about it … but to everyone else it was ‘fat guy in a little chair.’”
Kevin Smith went on to say about his weight loss, “I feel mixed feelings about losing the weight. I sympathize far more with heavier people than I ever will with thin, I’ll never be thin. Let’s be honest, I’ve lost 65 pounds but nobody’s going ‘I want to sleep with you,’ they’re just like, ‘Keep going, you look better keep going.’”
Kevin Smith was on the program to promote his new movie Red State which is due out in October of this year. Kevin Smith is also well known for his classic comedic hits Mallrats and Clerks. Smith is also the owner of the comic book store, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Royal wedding inspires weight loss challenge
Southlake residents are being offered a unique opportunity to take part in a royal wedding-inspired weight-loss challenge designed to get participants back into their wedding clothes.
Local Slimming World consultant Tammy Musack is heading the challenge, the completion of which is scheduled to coincide closely with the royal wedding of Prince William of Wales to Kate Middleton on April 29.
Participants are challenged to lose enough weight to be able to fit into their wedding clothes.
“It may be the little bit of incentive that people need to make the step [to start losing weight],” Musack said. “Sometimes the hardest thing for people is making the decision. The idea was that maybe this will get people to say, ‘I think I’m going to try and lose the weight, and I’ll try and get into my wedding dress. That would be fun.’ We’re creating the opportunity to get rid of the weight and revisit getting into that dress and being able to actually wear it, which is something nobody ever gets to do.”
Participants would follow the Slimming World weight loss program. The Slimming World program has a 41-year history of success and is a household name in the United Kingdom, where it originated, and has only been in the United States a little more than a year, according to Musack.
“It’s a healthy diet, not a fad,” she said.
Musack said there is no deadline to join, but participants would need to reach their goal by the Tuesday, April 26 group meeting.
“Obviously, the sooner they join, the easier it will be to hit their target,” she said. “If they think that they can lose the weight to make it to the deadline, they’re welcome to do it. The goal is to get them into their dress (or tuxedo).”
Musack said those interested in the challenge may attend a regularly scheduled group meeting at no obligation. There is a half-price membership available to those who participate in the challenge. Cost for participants is $10 per week.
“They’re not obligated to spend any money to come and look,” she said. “They can actually come and sit through an entire session and hear how the whole plan works, and if it’s something they don’t think they’re ready for, it won’t cost them a thing.”
Although she said she would be thrilled if many people participated in the challenge, numbers are not Musack’s primary focus.
“I would be happy if it was one or if it was 20; it doesn’t matter,” she said. “If this was the thing that really helped one person bring on a change from where they’re at and make them feel happy about themselves, it makes it worth it.”
Musack said the Slimming World program always seeks to build self-confidence and provide support.
“We do not humiliate anyone,” she said. “We never share what someone’s actual weight is or anything like that. We share the journey of their victories and struggles with them.”
Musack said she plans to arrange a small ceremony to celebrate the challenge’s completion, preferably a vow-renewal ceremony in Pathways Church, where the group meetings are held.
She still has to present this idea before the Pathways Board of Directors for approval. If the idea is not approved, Musack might hold a small ceremony – complete with a small cake and flower bouquet – during her regular Slimming World group meeting. The cake will be provided by Micki Hardy of Elegant Cakery in Southlake.
“We’re looking at having a small ceremony at the church where we actually have them kind of exchange vows,” she said. “It’s sort of in the works.”
Musack said the challenge is distinctive in its design.
“Who out there says, ‘Hey, get back into your wedding dress and you can re-exchange your vows?’” she said. “That’s totally unique in itself.”