Cyd Charisse, the celebrated actress and dancer known for her mesmerizing performances in films like Singin' in the Rain, understood the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This article delves into her approach to diet and exercise, drawing from a 1951 Lydia Lane article and other sources, to reveal the secrets behind her enviable figure and enduring vitality.
The Importance of Diet and Exercise
In a 1951 interview with Lydia Lane, Cyd Charisse emphasized that both exercise and a proper diet are key to losing weight. She highlighted that while she regularly took dancing lessons, she also incorporated a daily workout routine at home. Charisse believed in learning from nature, observing how animals stretch after resting. However, she cautioned that exercise alone is not enough. She stated, "There is no point working off pounds with exercise if you are going to eat them back on again."
Dietary Recommendations
Charisse's diet philosophy wasn't about extreme deprivation. Instead, she advocated for avoiding fattening foods like fats, sweets, rich desserts, and bread and butter. She recommended gaining control over one's appetite before embarking on an exercise regimen to achieve a dream figure.
Cyd Charisse's Home Workout Routine
Cyd Charisse emphasized the importance of daily exercise, stating, "I don’t feel really well unless I give myself good workout everyday.” Her routine, primarily based on ballet movements, focused on strengthening core muscles and streamlining the hips.
Exercises for Slimming Hips:
Charisse shared a routine that her friend used to reduce her hip size, requiring less than ten minutes a day. The routine included two simple yet effective exercises:
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- Leg Lifts: Lie on your back and lift your legs a few inches from the floor. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then relax.
- Backward Kicks: Stretch out on the floor face down, resting your weight on the palm of your hand and on the tips of your feet. Bring up one knee, leaving the other extended. With a kick, switch the position of your legs, bringing the extended one up and kicking the other back. Continue alternating, kicking hard each time. Start slowly, and as you strengthen your core muscles thru exercise it will become easier and easier.
Strengthening Stomach Muscles and Trimming Hips:
Cyd’s favorite way of strengthening her stomach muscles and keeping her hips trim is to balance herself on your elbows and ride an imaginary bicycle in the air. “Begin this exercise slowly,” Cyd suggests, “and increase pedaling as fast as you can.
The Enduring Appeal of a Balanced Lifestyle
Even later in life, Charisse maintained her commitment to dance and a balanced diet. An article from the Saturday Evening Post in 1952, revealed that if she had to give up either acting or dancing, she would choose to keep dancing. Every weekday morning at 9 a.m., she attended a ballet class, taught by her lifelong friend Tania Riabouchinska. The class included barre work, stretches, and simple steps.
Charisse also believed in moderation when it came to food. Her typical breakfast consisted of melon, Raisin Bran, orange juice, and a cup of coffee. Lunch was usually a sandwich, salad, or fruit. Dinner was her main meal, often including chicken and vegetables, or even a steak. She stated, “The minute I feel tired, I really feel that it helps me. I don’t know any vegetables or fruit or grains that can replace a steak. I’m from Texas so I was raised on that kind of food.”
Other Celebrities' Perspectives on Diet and Exercise
The article also sheds light on the fitness and beauty routines of other actresses from the same era, offering a broader perspective on maintaining a healthy lifestyle in Hollywood.
Ann Harding: Ann Harding emphasized the importance of neck and throat exercises to maintain a youthful profile. She recommended exercises such as lying on the floor face down and throwing the head back to stretch the muscles under the chin, as well as lying across a bed with the head dropping over the side and slowly pulling it up.
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Dorothy Lamour: Dorothy Lamour, known for her "sarong figure," emphasized the importance of vigilance in maintaining her figure. She watched her weight carefully, weighing herself every night and morning. When she gained weight, she followed a two-week diet that eliminated carbohydrates and fats. She also shared a tip for gaining weight when needed, which involved drinking rich milk and eating oatmeal cookies before bed.
Phyllis Kirk: Phyllis Kirk highlighted the importance of limbering and stretching before engaging in strenuous workouts. Her favorite exercises included bending over to touch her fingertips to the floor and the "Frankenstein walk," which involved tightening the legs, keeping the knees straight, and walking around the house for ten minutes.
Virginia Mayo: Virginia Mayo emphasized the importance of skincare, particularly cleansing the skin every day. She believed that neglecting skincare can ruin the skin's texture. She recommended removing makeup thoroughly every night and using a complexion brush to ensure that no stale cosmetics are left in the pores. Mayo also emphasized the connection between inner beauty, emotions, general state of health and the skin.
Jane Wyman: Jane Wyman attributed her youthful figure to good posture and a sensible diet. She favored protein-rich foods like meat and eggs and avoided desserts and fancy foods. She also emphasized the importance of ballet training for maintaining good posture.
Marjorie Steele: Marjorie Steele stressed the importance of relaxation and doing one thing at a time. She advised against hurrying and encouraged people to close their minds to the pressure of all the things they have to do.
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Suzy Parker: Suzy Parker, a top fashion model, emphasized the importance of individuality and feeling comfortable in one's clothes. She advised against being an impulsive buyer and encouraged women to develop their intelligence and become more interesting.
Patricia Neal: Patricia Neal shared a diet that allowed eating while still taking off pounds. The diet involved a big breakfast, a pint of skimmed milk for lunch, and six ounces of lean meat, green vegetables, green salad, and fruit for dinner.
Claudette Colbert: Claudette Colbert shared her grooming habits and emphasized the importance of happiness for good looks. She did her own nails and believed in keeping her skincare routine simple.
Gene Kelly’s Chicken Recipe
The article also included a recipe from Gene Kelly, Charisse's co-star in Singin' in the Rain. Kelly's "Chicken in a Pot with Beer" is a simple and flavorful dish that can be made in an electric pressure cooker. The recipe involves preparing the chicken with lemon juice, salt, and pepper, then placing it in the pressure cooker with beer or chicken stock, onion powder, bay leaf, dried thyme, and dried celery leaves/seeds. Garlic, onion, parsley, baby carrots, miniature potatoes, and mushrooms are added, and the chicken is cooked for 27 minutes.