It’s hard to believe Janet Jackson weighed 180 pounds just six years ago. Now, thanks to a healthy eating plan and lots of hard work, the pop icon looks sensational.
“I honestly don’t know what size I am. Now, it’s all about looking in the mirror and saying, I feel good. I feel healthy,” Janet reveals in the July issue of “Prevention” magazine.
Jackson is a poster child for yo-yo dieting. For most of her life, the 5-foot-4 star has struggled with the pain of gaining and losing weight. “Health was always a concern. When I gained weight in 2005, my nutritionist was very worried. I was close to having diabetes. Even when I lost it [and] then gained quite a bit back, there was always the thought of heart disease,” she reveals to “Prevention.”
The 46-year-old, who is a spokesperson for Nutrisystem, credits the eating plan with helping her to learn portion control and also better eating habits. She also believes representing Nutrisystem and going public with her struggles inspires others to believe they can lose too. “I think people really connect with the idea of someone who’s gained and lost weight in this very public way, also someone who’s an emotional eater,” reveals Janet in “Prevention.”
Just like us regular folks, Janet admits her state of mind can set off a feeding frenzy. Boredom, sadness, frustration, stress and work can all trigger destructive eating. – She’s even had to fight the opposite end of the spectrum – under-eating. “Knowing I have these problems with body image, I ask my friends and family to tell me when I’ve lost too much too. Because I will continue to pick on myself, like all women do, and say, You need to [lose] more there, more there.”
Janet is also very aware her lifestyle and choices influences others – especially young girls. “I try to be a model for healthy eating, but I let kids know that they are beautiful as God made them. You don’t have to be a size zero to be considered beautiful.” Well said, Ms. Jackson!
Check out www.prevention.com for health & wellness tips.
–Terri MacLeod
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