Kimora Lee Simmons, a former model and businesswoman, has often found herself in the public eye, not only for her professional achievements but also for discussions surrounding her weight and body image. This article delves into Kimora Lee Simmons' approach to weight loss, her diet and exercise routines, and her stance on promoting a healthy body image, especially for young women. It also addresses the concerns surrounding her daughter, Ming Lee Simmons, and the pressures of the modeling industry.
Kimora Lee Simmons' "Fabulosity Diet"
After giving birth to her son Kenzo in 2009, Kimora Lee Simmons embarked on a weight loss journey, ultimately shedding 25 pounds. She attributed her success to what she playfully calls the "fabulosity diet." This isn't a restrictive or extreme diet, but rather a balanced approach that combines regular exercise with mindful eating habits.
Simmons explained to Us Weekly, "I'm on the fabulosity diet, so I'm kind of perfecting it now. It's a little workout, a good diet." She emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle for her entire family, stating, "My family is very healthy. We try to be very healthy with complex carbs, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables."
Key components of her diet include:
- Organic foods: Prioritizing organic produce whenever possible.
- Limited dairy: Opting for rice milk and almond milk as alternatives.
- Legumes: Incorporating plenty of legumes into their meals.
- Lean proteins and vegetables: Focusing on these as staples.
- Portion control: Watching portion sizes to avoid overeating.
- Avoiding junk food: Eliminating chips, candy, and other processed snacks.
Simmons also mentioned that she sometimes limits her caloric intake to fruit, smoothies, or protein bars on certain days.
Read also: The Richard Simmons Approach to Weight Loss
Exercise Routine: Simple and Sustainable
Kimora Lee Simmons' workout routine is surprisingly accessible. She emphasizes that it doesn't require intense gym sessions or complicated equipment. Instead, she focuses on incorporating physical activity into her daily life.
"Running after a 1-year-old really will do it, and I have three kids," she joked. She also includes "a little cardio every day," such as taking walks.
Addressing Weight Loss Misconceptions
Simmons has been vocal about the misconceptions surrounding her weight loss. After some news outlets claimed she lost 25 pounds by not eating, she took to her KLS blog to set the record straight.
"[Those reports] led people to believe that I shed 25 lbs by not eating, which is completely ridiculous," she wrote. "I am a mother of three young children, two of whom are girls and I’m trying to raise them with a healthy body image. It’s taken me almost a year to lose close to 25 lbs and I did it through healthy diet and exercise."
She emphasized that she is "still curvy and 100% healthy and proud of my body and the time it has taken me to undergo this personal journey for myself."
Read also: Discover Richard Simmons's impact
Promoting a Healthy Body Image
Kimora Lee Simmons is passionate about promoting a positive body image, especially for young girls. As a mother, she wants to instill in her daughters the importance of self-acceptance and healthy habits.
"I'm a mom first and I'm a business woman [second]," Simmons said. "I want girls to understand the difference between this and fantasy. It took me an hour to get ready, and I want girls to know, 'Take it easy!'"
She believes that media outlets have a responsibility to be more accountable in their reporting, especially when it comes to weight loss and body image, as it can have a far-reaching impact on young women.
Concerns Surrounding Ming Lee Simmons
Recently, Kimora Lee Simmons' eldest daughter, Ming Lee Simmons, has faced scrutiny regarding her weight, particularly after her appearance in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Some fans expressed concern over her thin physique, with some claiming she looked "even smaller than usual."
However, many fans came to Ming Lee's defense, with some pointing out that she had previously spoken about having a serious illness. Others suggested that she may have intentionally cut fat for her swimsuit photoshoot, a common practice among bodybuilders.
Read also: Motivation for Weight Loss: Richard Simmons' Guide
The Evolving Fashion Industry
Ming Lee Simmons' experience also highlights the evolving landscape of the fashion industry. While at first glance, Ming appears to have the perfect standard body for a high fashion model of the 1990s, in later years, inclusivity became a focal point for the fashion industry. This created opportunities for women of different ages, weights and heights to grace the cover of magazines and walk on runways.
Ming herself acknowledged this shift, stating, "It’s an exciting time to model. My mom always talks about her modeling days, and how models had to stay a certain size."
Celebrity Weight Loss Secrets: Inspiration and Caution
Kimora Lee Simmons is not the only celebrity who has shared her weight loss journey with the public. Others like Jennifer Hudson, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, and Raven-Symonè have also inspired fans with their transformations.
- Jennifer Hudson: Emphasizes interval training and calorie counting with Weight Watchers.
- Mo'Nique: Lost weight through sensible diet and exercise, including jogging, barre exercises, and weight lifting.
- Mariah Carey: Followed a 1500 calorie-per-day meal plan and thrice weekly workouts combining cardio and strength training.
- Raven-Symonè: Lost weight by ditching cupcakes and spending at least 30 minutes a day on her elliptical trainer.
However, it's important to approach celebrity weight loss stories with caution. Some celebrities have opted for more controversial methods, such as Chaka Khan's liquid diet, which may not be suitable or healthy for everyone.
Other Notable Celebrity Weight Loss Approaches:
- Jill Scott: Good old fashioned low-fat diet and exercise three times a week.
- Kelly Rowland: Cut all the evils (sugar, white flour and starch) from her diet and got herself addicted to working out.
- Janet Jackson: Prefers sports-based workouts to hitting the gym.
- Jordin Sparks: Alternated gym visits with Sensazao, a higher-energy version of Zumba.
- Tyra Banks: Ditched her favorite ice cream and ribs meals and hauled a-- in the gym to get her body back into Sports Illustrated shape.
- Laila Ali: Mixing up her workouts, which also keeps me from getting bored and hitting a plateau.