Sherry Yard, the acclaimed pastry chef and judge on ABC's "Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition," has captivated audiences not only with her culinary expertise but also with her inspiring weight loss journey. Beyond her celebrated desserts, Yard has demonstrated a commitment to her health and well-being, transforming her lifestyle and redefining her relationship with food and exercise.
Who is Sherry Yard?
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 11, 1964, Sherry Yard's passion for baking began at a young age, inspired by her grandmother. She honed her skills at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, before gaining recognition as the executive pastry chef at Wolfgang Puck's Spago in Los Angeles. Yard's innovative desserts have earned her numerous accolades, including multiple James Beard Awards. She has also appeared on culinary shows like "Cake Wars Christmas," "Christmas Cookie Challenge," "Iron Chef America," and "Cutthroat Kitchen," as well as publishing cookbooks such as "The Secrets of Baking" and "Desserts by the Yard."
Health Challenges and Motivation
Yard's weight loss journey was partly motivated by health challenges. She was diagnosed with a thyroid lump due to a hypothyroid condition. While most thyroid lumps are non-cancerous, they can cause discomfort and, in some cases, require medical intervention. In Yard's case, she underwent a surgical procedure to address the issue.
The Weight Loss Prep for the "Great American Baking Show"
Ahead of each season of the "Great American Baking Show," Yard makes a conscious effort to lose weight. She revealed in an interview with Jamonkey that she typically sheds around 10 pounds before filming. This is because, as a judge, she tastes all the contestants' creations to ensure consistency. "I lose about 10 pounds first because I’m gonna gain about 15 pounds," Sherry said. "That’s the first preparation. We should have a game of how much weight I gain because I really enjoy what I do, and I love pastries."
Yard admits that she makes sure to try every dish that a contestant makes for consistency, not only because she considers it part of her job, but just because she loves food. "I love food… If they had to make two items I actually was eating both," she said. "I haven’t seen the show in full myself. I’m hoping they don’t make me look as much as what I was doing, because you’re gonna see by the last show…there’s more to love. It’s a professional job. Someone has to do it!”
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Filming for the holiday specials takes place in August, requiring everyone to get into the holiday spirit despite the heat. Each episode takes two days to film, with the entire season completed in about a month.
Sherry Yard's Weight Loss Diet Plan
Sherry Yard's weight loss approach involves avoiding certain foods and focusing on a healthy eating plan.
Foods to Avoid
- Processed Foods: High in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, lacking essential nutrients and fiber.
- Sweets: Candies, cookies, cakes, and sugary desserts are full of refined sugars and unhealthy fats, offering little nutritional value.
- Soft Drinks: Packed with added sugars or artificial sweeteners, providing empty calories.
- Full-Fat Dairy: Cream, high-fat yogurt, and cheese contain saturated fats, negatively affecting cardiovascular health.
Foods to Emphasize
- Green Leafy Vegetables: Low in calories and high in fiber, promoting fullness and slow digestion.
- Fish: A great source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein, increasing satiety and preserving lean muscle mass. Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna are especially beneficial.
- Olive Oil: A monounsaturated fat that can increase feelings of fullness and satisfaction.
- Tuna: A lean source of protein that is low in calories, helping to regulate hunger hormones and support muscle maintenance.
Yard has experienced a weight loss of 10 pounds prior to starting a show, and she gains 15 lbs back during her show. To combat this, she adopts a diet centered around healthy, low-calorie foods, as mentioned above. While participating in shows where she tastes cakes and pastries, Yard finds ways to maintain balance through her own dietary choices. It is widely recognized that consuming fast food in large quantities can contribute to weight gain. However, Yard counteracts this by restricting her intake of fatty foods and opting for healthier alternatives. Her primary diet plan revolves around avoiding junk and fast food, while actively incorporating nutritious options into her meals.
Sherry Yard's Workout Routine
Yard's weight loss regime extends beyond diet to include a consistent workout routine.
- Strength Training: Incorporating exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, bench presses, rows, and shoulder presses to build strength and enhance muscle mass. Weight lifting ranges from 10-12 kg per machine.
- Cardio: Focusing on cycling as a low-impact alternative to running, burning calories effectively. Other cardio options include running, swimming, HIIT, jumping rope, dancing, and stair climbing.
- Flexibility Exercises: Including stretching to increase range of motion and minimize the risk of injuries.
- Bodyweight Exercises: Utilizing exercises like push-ups, squats, lunges, burpees, and planks to enhance strength and calorie burning without equipment.
Other Changes to Sherry Yard's Appearance
Sherry Yard's weight loss journey has resulted in noticeable changes to her appearance, reflecting her commitment to a healthier lifestyle.
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- Toned Muscles and Enhanced Definition: Strength training has sculpted her physique, leading to more defined arms, legs, and core.
- Improved Posture and Graceful Movements: Exercises targeting her back and core have improved her posture and contributed to a more confident presence.
- Radiant and Clear Complexion: A disciplined diet and hydration have resulted in clearer, more youthful skin.
- Boosted Energy and Vibrant Aura: Increased energy levels and improved cardiovascular fitness have enhanced her on-screen presence and overall well-being.
Sherry McMurray's Transformation
Sherry McMurray, who lost 100 pounds, implemented a ketogenic approach. She ate a large salad with 6 to 8 ounces of meat, skipped all root vegetables, and used ranch dressing. She read labels on salad dressings and found that ranch had the lowest of everything, so that was her go-to when she first started.
McMurray took pictures to compare and see how her body was changing. She found something that worked and that she could stick to. She is now off all medications, and her blood sugar has gone from the 300+ range to the 65 to 90 range.
Keto Breakfast Cookbook
The Keto Breakfast Cookbook delivers an assortment of recipes that help you stay on track and easily find the nutritional macros of what you eat. From simple classics (like omelets, frittatas, and smoothies) to low-carb twists (like breakfast tacos, muffins, waffles, pancakes, and scones), this book will give you all of the tools you need to successfully take on keto - and your day - with these tasty breakfast recipes.
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