Shannon Beador, the star of "The Real Housewives of Orange County," has been open about her struggles with weight, particularly after her separation from her husband. Her journey has resonated with many, and her efforts to regain control of her health have been well-documented. This article delves into Shannon Beador's weight loss strategies, separating fact from fiction and providing a comprehensive overview of her approach.
The Emotional Weight Gain
Shannon Beador's weight gain was significantly influenced by the emotional turmoil she experienced during her separation. As she stated, "That stress caused me to eat more, caused me to drink more, and that’s a huge part of why I gained my weight." This emotional eating led to a substantial weight gain of 40 pounds, pushing her body-fat percentage to 40 percent, a level considered unhealthy for women.
Turning Point and Commitment to Change
Recognizing the need for change, Shannon committed to getting healthy and shedding the extra pounds. Her determination led to impressive results, prompting many to seek insights into her methods.
Shannon Beador's Diet-Centric Approach
Shannon emphasizes the importance of diet in her weight loss journey. She openly admits that she is not particularly fond of working out and credits diet as the primary driver of her success. "Diet, diet, diet, diet, diet," she exclaims, highlighting its significance.
The 90/10 Rule: Diet vs. Exercise
According to Shannon, "I always heard that it was 80 percent diet and 20 percent exercise, and yeah, do I have some flab that I want to tone up? Absolutely. But I think it's like 90 percent or more diet." This perspective underscores her belief that dietary choices have a more substantial impact on weight loss than physical activity.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
Real for Real Cuisine: A Reflection of Her Principles
Shannon's weight-loss journey inspired her Real for Real Cuisine line. She explains, "I took the principles of losing weight that I followed to my food line, and that is that you can have a protein, you can have a vegetable, and you can even have a little bit of starch, and have a satisfying and flavorful meal. You can put seasoning on your food. You can have a sauce on your food." This approach focuses on creating balanced, flavorful meals that align with her weight loss goals.
A Flexible Eating Schedule
Shannon follows a flexible eating schedule. After starting her day with water, hormone pills, and a protein shake, she eats lunch and dinner whenever she feels like it. Lunch consists of a salad topped with protein, followed by dinner with more protein, veggies, and a little bit of starch. She also admitted to drinking tequila with dinner.
Debunking Weight Loss Myths: Expert Opinions
To provide a balanced perspective, Dr. Holly Lofton, director of the medical weight-management Program at NYU Langone Health, has analyzed some of Shannon's weight-loss pointers, distinguishing between effective strategies and those that may not be beneficial.
Exercise: A Necessary Component
While Shannon admits that she's not exactly keen on working out, Lofton recommends working out for at least 150 minutes per week if you're trying to lose weight.
Supplements: Proceed with Caution
Lofton advises against relying on supplements for weight loss, stating, "There's no evidence that taking vitamins and supplements increases weight-loss results." Instead, she recommends obtaining nutrients from a balanced diet.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
Detox Teas: A Hard Pass
Lofton strongly advises against detox teas, noting that their sugar content can hinder weight-loss efforts. She also points out that the body has its own detoxification systems and that relying on fluids for nutrients can lead to electrolyte imbalances.
Sweat Belts: A Temporary Fix
Lofton clarifies that sweat belts cause water loss, not fat loss. Any weight "lost" through water loss will be regained upon rehydration.
Cupping Therapy: Not a Weight Loss Solution
While cupping therapy may aid muscle recovery, Lofton asserts that it does not have weight-loss benefits.
Workout Buddy: A Source of Support
Lofton highly recommends having a workout buddy, as it can increase adherence to a healthy routine.
Meal-Replacement Shakes: A Conditional Option
Lofton approves of occasional meal-replacement shakes, provided they contain essential vitamins and minerals and are not loaded with sugar or chemicals.
Read also: Weight Loss with Low-FODMAP
Shannon's Evolving Relationship with Food
Shannon's journey also involves rediscovering the joy in food. For her appearance on QVC, where she was trying to sell a food product on television, she said, "It’s just interesting because when you’re trying to sell a food product on television, people can see it but you can’t smell it. You can’t taste it. So it’s up to me to describe those things. So I’m working on that."