Trisha Yearwood, renowned country singer, actress, and author, has captivated audiences not only with her soulful voice and stunning looks but also with her openness about her personal journey, including her struggles with weight and body image. Her story, intertwined with her relationship with fellow country superstar Garth Brooks, offers inspiration, education, and empowerment to those navigating their own health and wellness paths.
A Musical Beginning and a Lasting Partnership
Trisha Yearwood's career took off in the early 1990s when she opened for Garth Brooks. She readily admits that "I learned so much from being on the road with him, it was unreal." Their professional relationship evolved into a personal one, and the duo married in 2005. Since then, they have become known for their constant collaboration and mutual support. “We always sing on each other’s records,” Yearwood reveals, adding that her husband is notorious for pushing her out of her vocal comfort zone.
Yearwood appreciates Brooks' candid feedback on her music. Brooks often turns to Yearwood for her honest opinions when he’s in the process of crafting new tunes. Brooks encouraged Yearwood to be more "raw and gritty" on his rendition of "Shameless," which resulted in her wailing vocals at the end of the song. In the studio, Yearwood returns the favor, offering a discerning ear to Brooks' work. In the studio, I’m the friend that will say, “I think you want to listen to that one line.
Their musical partnership extends beyond individual projects. The pair released a Christmas album together, which included a song they co-wrote, "What I'm Thankful For," featuring James Taylor. Garth and I have always sung on each other’s records even if we haven’t done duets but this was the first chance where we got to sing together all day long. She fondly recalls the experience: "We got to drive to the studio together and drive home together and in between just have fun."
Prioritizing Health: Yearwood's Weight Loss Journey
Trisha Yearwood has been open about her struggles with weight and body image throughout her career. Yearwood has also talked about the impact that her busy touring schedule and the stress of the music industry had on her health and well-being. In 2013, Yearwood decided to make a change and prioritize her health. She started working with a personal trainer and nutritionist, and began making lifestyle changes to improve her diet and exercise habits. Through a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise, Yearwood was able to lose weight and improve her overall health and well-being. She embarked on a journey to prioritize her health and well-being, making significant lifestyle changes to achieve her goals.
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The Turning Point
A pivotal moment occurred during a trip to Haiti with Habitat for Humanity in 2012. “I really felt my weight on that trip,” she told Good Housekeeping back in 2013. “I’d put a few extra pounds on top of the 20 extra that I always carried. I didn’t feel great.” She realized she was tired of complaining and decided to take action. “I realized I was tired of losing the same few pounds, tired of complaining about it,” she said. “I felt, ‘Just do it, or shut up about it.’”
Sustainable Lifestyle Changes
One of the key components of Yearwood’s weight loss plan was portion control. She learned to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day, and to focus on foods that were high in protein and fiber. Rather than relying on fad diets, Yearwood focused on creating sustainable habits that she could maintain long-term. "This is not some crazy fad diet. It's a lifelong change," she said in an interview with People magazine. She adopted a plan that was low-fat and low-sugar 90 percent of the time, emphasizing whole foods like vegetables and grilled chicken.
Embracing Exercise
In terms of exercise, Yearwood began working out regularly with her personal trainer. Yearwood discovered a love for Zumba, a Latin-dance inspired workout. "I fell in love with Zumba," she told People. "I have a strength I never had before. I feel like I can do anything." She also incorporated strength training and even tried pole dancing, demonstrating that fitness can be enjoyable and empowering.
Mental and Emotional Well-being
In addition to these lifestyle changes, Yearwood also made a point to prioritize her mental health and well-being. Yearwood’s weight loss isn’t just about food or sweat-it’s about her headspace. “I used food to soothe and reward, and I don’t do that anymore,” she said. She addressed emotional eating through brain state conditioning therapy, which retrains the brain to handle stress in a healthier way. She also sought therapy to address underlying emotional issues. “I’ve learned to stop focusing on the scale and start focusing on how I feel,” she shared.
The Role of Support Systems
Support systems: Yearwood worked closely with a personal trainer and nutritionist, who provided guidance and support throughout her weight loss journey. Yearwood emphasized the importance of having a strong support system, including family, friends, and fans. "Her family has been instrumental in supporting her," according to wp.nyu.edu. Garth Brooks also provided unwavering support, never making her feel bad about her weight and always affirming her beauty. “He never made me feel bad about my weight,” she told Good Housekeeping. “He always told me I was beautiful. He says, ‘I wish you could see yourself the way I see you. I love you at this weight, and the only other weight I love you at is whatever weight you are.’”
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Public Accountability
Public accountability: Yearwood’s decision to share her weight loss journey publicly helped to keep her accountable and motivated. By sharing her journey, Yearwood inspired others and held herself accountable to her goals.
The Results: A Transformation Inside and Out
Trisha Yearwood’s weight loss success can be attributed to a number of factors. Over a period of seven months, Yearwood lost 55 pounds, going from a size 14 to a size 10. “She started at around 210 pounds and now weighs 155 pounds,” per wp.nyu.edu. However, the transformation was not just physical. "I feel more alive," she told People after hitting her goal. She gained confidence and a renewed sense of self. "If you look at old photos, I was hiding in turtlenecks and coats," she said.
Garth Brooks' Fitness Journey
Garth Brooks, too, has experienced his own fitness transformation. Garth Brooks is feeling like his younger self! The country music superstar recently wrapped up a 5-night performance in Ireland, and when talking to the press before the event, the 60-year-old revealed that he's back to the weight he was at age 35. He was inspired to get in shape after revisiting Croke Park in Dublin, where he had performed 25 years prior. "What happened was, weirdly, at the 25th anniversary of Croke Park and Central Park, and I was sitting there looking at it thinking everyone looks the same…"
For Garth, the transformation wasn't about appearances but about performing. He explained that fitness became a priority after being a "soccer dad" to his three daughters for 16 years. He said, "You want to try to be as fit as you can. Because my job is to get to everyone in that stadium. And we have two and a half hours to get it done. So we will be moving a lot. And physically I wanted to not have that as an obstacle.”Judging by photos from the event, it looks like his mission was accomplished! Garth confirmed, "I’m the same weight I was when we played here in 97, that’s what I want."
Yearwood's Advice and Insights
Yearwood emphasizes the importance of listening to one's body and seeking professional medical advice. She encourages others to create their own personalized plans based on their individual needs and preferences. "It's about loving myself first," she said.
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Key Principles from Trisha Yearwood's Journey
- Consistency is key: The key to weight loss is consistency. You can’t just try to lose weight once every few months and expect it to work.
- Sustainable lifestyle changes: Rather than pursuing fad diets or extreme weight loss methods, Yearwood focused on making sustainable lifestyle changes that she could maintain over the long term.
- Self-care: Yearwood made a point to prioritize her mental health and well-being, which helped her manage stress and stay motivated throughout her weight loss journey.
- Listen to your cravings.
- Set small goals.
- Don't give up everything all at once.