Marie Osmond, the celebrated actress, singer, and entertainer, has openly discussed her struggles with weight and her journey towards a healthier lifestyle. Her experiences offer valuable insights into the challenges of maintaining a healthy weight, especially in the public eye, and the importance of focusing on overall well-being rather than just being skinny.
Early Struggles and Body Image
Growing up in Hollywood's spotlight, Marie Osmond faced immense pressure regarding her appearance. She openly admits to experiencing "body dysmorphia," a mental health condition that distorts how a person perceives their body. This led to a cycle of crash dieting and weight fluctuations throughout her adulthood. At her lowest point, Osmond weighed a mere 93 pounds, a stark reminder of the unhealthy extremes she endured.
The Turning Point
Osmond's perspective began to shift when she turned 50. She realized that traditional dieting was no longer sustainable or beneficial for her body. Her son's heartfelt concern about her health, stemming from the high mortality rate among women in her family, served as a wake-up call. He emphasized that losing weight was crucial for her longevity and overall well-being, not just for aesthetic reasons. This concern motivated Osmond to make a change and prioritize her health.
Nutrisystem: A Lifestyle Change
Around the age of 50, Marie Osmond turned to Nutrisystem, a program that provides high-protein, ready-made meals and snacks designed to help individuals achieve their weight loss goals. Osmond emphasizes that she doesn't view Nutrisystem as a "diet" but rather as a comprehensive program that helped her achieve a healthy balance.
Key aspects of the Nutrisystem program that resonated with Osmond:
Portion Control: Nutrisystem taught her the importance of proper portion sizes, something she hadn't grasped before. She learned that food wasn't the enemy and that she could enjoy it while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
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Regular Meals: The program emphasized eating multiple times throughout the day, dispelling the notion that starving oneself was necessary for weight loss.
Healthy Habits: Nutrisystem helped her incorporate healthy choices into her daily life, shifting her focus from restrictive dieting to positive lifestyle changes.
Osmond credits Nutrisystem for providing her with the tools and knowledge to make sustainable changes. "Nutrisystem wasn't just another diet, it was a lifestyle change," she says. "The lessons they taught me have stayed with me."
The Nutrisystem Complete 55 Program
Recognizing the unique challenges women face as they age, particularly during menopause, Nutrisystem introduced Complete 55. This personalized plan considers a woman's metabolism, age, nutritional needs, and activity level. The program ensures adequate protein intake and offers Hearty Inspirations Meals, packed with up to 30g of protein to control hunger. It also focuses on burning belly fat by strategically front-loading carbohydrates during the day when they are more likely to be used for energy.
Marie Osmond's Diet Essentials
Marie Osmond shared some of her diet essentials:
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- Grilled chicken: Because it’s packed with protein to keep me feeling full.
- Chopped veggies: Like cucumbers, peppers, and carrots are always in my fridge.
- Blueberries: One of my favorite fruits.
- Spinach: It’s low in calories, but big in flavor and nutrients.
- Lemons: She loves the flavor and will cut them up and add them to her water.
Beyond Weight Loss: A Holistic Approach
Marie Osmond's journey highlights the significance of a holistic approach to health and wellness, encompassing both physical and mental well-being. She emphasizes that being healthy is more important than being skinny and encourages individuals to prioritize self-love and strive to be the best version of themselves.
The benefits of a healthy weight, according to Osmond:
Increased Energy and Activity: Maintaining a healthy weight allows her to enjoy an active lifestyle, travel, and spend quality time with her grandchildren.
Improved Mental Health: Weight loss positively impacts mental health, fostering a sense of well-being and confidence.
Reduced Risk of Health Issues: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of serious health problems like stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
The Importance of Activity
In addition to healthy eating habits, Osmond emphasizes the importance of staying active. She enjoys walking while listening to audiobooks, hiking with her husband, and even trying adventurous activities like ziplining and skydiving. She says, “My year-round favorite is walking and listening to audiobooks. I love to read so by making it a part of my exercise, it’s how I get my steps in.” She continues, “My husband, Steve and I love to hike and explore. I’m also checking things off my bucket list. I just went ziplining over a waterfall and I went skydiving. I actually jumped!
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Overcoming Body Dysmorphia
Osmond's journey also involved confronting and overcoming body dysmorphia. She sought help to address her distorted body image and develop a healthier relationship with herself. This highlights the importance of addressing mental health concerns alongside physical health when striving for overall well-being.