She Inspires me and I am now on weight watchers and in one month I have lost 15 pounds and still have 80 more to go. Thanks for the motivation Jennifer!

Original Post by: marjeanne1944

There are plenty of fat wealthy people. No one forces poor people to buy chips and junk. That is just a waste of money. Quicker is not the issue.  Prioritize and anyone can eat right and exercise. It takes knowledge and planning. Put yourself first at times. Ask friends and family for help. Sorry, I think money , or the lack of it, is a long time excuse.

I think you are right. I am sick of hearing of celebrities and how well they shed the pounds after having a baby and so on. The magazines hail them and say they are super mums and super women. I can be too. We all know that support helps when shedding pounds and I guess having a private chef and trainer and a free schedule to exercise HELPS. So, as said..... I respect anyone who looses weight also Jennifer, but please, it is easier with SUPPORT and TIME and MONEY

All the money in the world won't make you thin or happy.  Yes, you can have a personal chef and trainer but you are still ultimately responsible for how you treat your body via eating and exercise.  That chef and trainer are not following her around 24 hours making sure she does the right thing. 

It is up to each individual to exercise self control over our lives in every aspect.

For instance, last night I had a couple of drinks, 4 slices of pizza and 3 weight watcher's chocolate raspberry 'ice cream' bars!   No self control there but back at it today.  

Original Post by: highpeakshiker

All the money in the world won't make you thin or happy.  Yes, you can have a personal chef and trainer but you are still ultimately responsible for how you treat your body via eating and exercise.  That chef and trainer are not following her around 24 hours making sure she does the right thing. 

It is up to each individual to exercise self control over our lives in every aspect.

For instance, last night I had a couple of drinks, 4 slices of pizza and 3 weight watcher's chocolate raspberry 'ice cream' bars!   No self control there but back at it today.  

 

I am just saying it helps motivation and disciplin a looooooooooooong way and perhaps just what makes you get there. Why deny that ?

Therefore I admire other persons more, who can juggle jobs, family, children, cleaning, dogs, garden, cooking, shopping, paying the bill, entertaining, picking up and dropping off children etc etc and still manages to loose pounds.

I never said I wouldnt take the offer to have a personal trainer, cleaner, nanny and chef. I would. And I am not too proud to say it would speed things up for me and perhaps keep me in line with my goals more efficiently. Professional help is always good.

Cleebrities are like us and therefore I do not like when the praise for the achievements solely goes to the celeb, it can make "normal" women feel inadequate ! as to why they are not achieveing at same speed or other

I absolutely agree that it does take money to become healthy. Maybe not for the exercise part because we all have streets, parks and pools to make sure we get our 30 minutes of exercise and they are all free. But when it comes to buying food, when you have a family to feed, you'd rather spend 6$ on that pre-made lasagna that can do 1 or 2 meals (and yet is very fat and has alot of calories) than to spend it on strawberries or grapes which can only be a part of a meal, or at most, a snack. I come from a very humble family where I used to get in arguments with my single parent mother who raised 3 children by herself because I wanted more fruits and healthy stuff that we couldn't afford. Even now, I have been buying my own food for only the past year and I totally understand what she was saying. For a two week grocery shopping cart, it rakes in at close to 200$ and ALL is healthy food. You'll never find chips or cookies in my cart and hell, if they were in it, my bill would significantly be lower. It is a fact that anything healthy is more money that fries and chips !

"Therefore I admire other persons more, who can juggle jobs, family, children, cleaning, dogs, garden, cooking, shopping, paying the bill, entertaining, picking up and dropping off children etc etc and still manages to loose pounds"

I think that's unfair. ANYONE losing weight should praised like a GOD because it is just as hard for anyone to do it. Ok, she had more help than you do. So what ? You don't know what her schedule is like ? She juggles her job, her film career, her child, her bills and she still lost weight.

I don't understand why we should hate someone just because they got it easier that us. That's completely ridiculous !

I say congrats to her, it can't be easy to be in the careers(s) she's in and do what she does without feeling pressure! We have a lot of pressure from ourselves and maybe some people around us, but I doubt it's anything like what she's experiencing!I think she's absolutely beautiful and from what I've seen a wonderful person! I think we're all wonderful though. The only thing that makes her any different from a yo-yoing person who's not in show business is her fans or haters! They put a label on her. I think she's like everyone else in this position of dieting! It's not easy! And I'm proud of her, if this is where she wants to be at this moment then good on her!

As for a role model, She's skinny and beautiful and if your role models are skinny beautiful women than she's great! But she's also a great actor and a tremendous singer! That's who she REALLY is! So yeh, She's a great role model! Also, her want and strive to stay fit! Definitely a great role model! Her ups and down only prove she's human! Like the rest of us!

I also think this article is negative! I think we're meant to read this article and dis-like her just because of it! Also I think Calorie counter might have an issue with Weight Watchers! That doesn't have to be our issue! I absolutely love this site.. as for it's drama and publicity, not so much,, but what do you expect?

I like Jennifer and admire her talent and know she struggles with her wight. She is winning right now and I celebrate that with her. If she has extra help, so what. Please try hard to find information on shopping for healthy foods for less. It can be done. I was a single mom with two boys , but even though funds were tight, we ate healthy. Pre packaged food is more expensive than made from scratch. I cooked one day out of my busy week and I made my own tv type dinners. I used every sale and coupon to my advantage. Forget the weight issue and think of the health of your family. Made from scratch will be a lot healthier. If reading about celebrities bothers anyone, take a look at all the success stories about regular folks , like us. I will not change my opinion that money does not matter in weight loss. If there is a medical issue, of course that changes things , I am speaking to the average person who uses money or lack of it to continue to eat and feed prepared foods to the family. Anyone have and Aldi in their area. Just bought a nice melon for one dollar in there. 

Cynthia,

You are absolutely right that it is more expensive to eat healthy.  I hadn't thought of that aspect of it when I posted so my sincere apologies to those who are struggling, trying to lose weight, eat,  stay healthy and raise a family on a limited budget.

All of the will power in the world will not help if you cannot afford to buy the healthy food in the first place.  

Honestly .... I do not spend my time hating any celebrity. I said I hate that they get praised and that I respect this Jennifer. Please read my posting along the right lines. It seems some wants to misinterpret what I write. Well, so be it.

No...she does not! It is not clear how much weight she was able to lose on Weight Watchers. I think there is a huge misconception that she lost weight using the Weight Watchers program and WW will not dispute that due to the people Jennifer is reeling in for the WW company which equals money in their pocket. I am sure Jennifer does not have to pay a fee for using the iphone app for WW since she is a celebrity...not all of us can afford WW, the app, or a personal trainer. If WW was so great, they would let a lay person, not a celebrity, try their program for free. It seems Jennifer used other means to lose weight and then used weight watchers and a trainer for the last 10 pounds giving WW all the credit. It is a gimmick and false advertising at best!

I don't think CC has an issue with Weight Watchers because I've seen advertisement's for WW on CC's website.

Eating right can be expensive if you are buying fresh fruits, fresh veggies, and lean meats. So, for those who struggle financially, it's an understandable roadblock. And often times, I've found people who simply aren't educated on what eating healthy means.

However, I still stand firm that I think Jennifer Hudson is a role model because, by her account, she did it the recommended way - she changed her eating habits and exercised. Isn't that what we're told to do? What difference does it make if the chef cooks her healthy choices, or if she cooks them for herself? What difference does it make if a personal trainer drags her out of bed, or the alarm clock? And, I have every reason to believe that, that is the way she did it because I too lost 94 pounds in the span of a year and a half with Weight Watchers and sustained that loss until I got pregnant. Does that mean the plan is a hoax? No, I just need to amp up the motivation and put the good calories in vs. calories out method to use.

And I stand firm by what I know - I doubt she completely did 'it' the 'ordinary way'.  And I don't buy the 'careers' she's in line either ... 'these people' do NOT have to work 40 hours a week - make that 60 or 70 by the time they put in the commuting time before and after - she does NOT have to worry about husbands, children, demands, school run, after-school sports, blah blah blah ... she can work out when she likes, she can have balanced food on set.  And yes, they DO have trainers and dieticians running around after them.  Look at some other TV celebs.  $135,000 US PLUS an EPISODE?  Do you know most people don't make that in a YEAR?  And they get a minimum of 13 of these payments for the season.  That's a truck-load of dosh and I too could afford on that to have a trainer and dietician or even a chef; an au-pair to take my child to school while I work out and relax and keep myself 'de-stressed' to get the most benefit. 

Plus, I wonder if she smokes?  So many celebrities NEVER get snapped smoking but they do.  Katie Holmes I believe smokes - Helena Bonham-Carter, and a few others.  Nicotine stimulates the metabolism, it's known.  I smoked for 4 months once when rooming with a girl who did.  Not a lot but we'd have a durry when we rode (we were on a horse farm), another afterwards and possibly a third after dinner while chilling on the deck.  And I was THIN.  THIN THIN THIN and I was eating like a horse (no pun).  I'd go to work (I managed the bar at a golf club) and the restaurant ladies would say "here she is again, feeding the worms" because I ate so much and stayed so skinny.  Amazing huh? 

There is no doubt in my mind, Jennifer has lost some weight.  There is no doubt in my mind that eating sensible meals as prescribed by WW has helped.  But there is also no doubt in my mind that she isn't the 'girl-wonder' that she is being touted to be ... I prefer reading about people like me who've done it.  Because I can RELATE to their life.  I've done theatre and music too and I know the crazy life it is.  Up late, sleep in, rehearsals, training, dancing - all busy activities which help as well ... but I don't really relate to the life of stardom, media-meetings, rehearsals and a somewhat ad-hoc schedule around appearances and performances. 

Ok. Well my final word on this HUGE RIDICULOUS madness that this article brought is this : I'm happy for Jennifer for losing all the weight. We all struggle and she has done her part of it. None of us are in her shoes or close to us so we can say all we want it still doesnt matter. We don't know any better. Go Jen Go !

Original Post by: lilly71

A comment to my post above....

When I wrote "that a role model for me is someone like me" I meant to say someone who is not a celebrity, I did not mean me (yet) as I am still struggling to get rid of the extra pounds.... Hope this is more clear.

I could not agree with you more! Well said and so very to the point! Especially for those who have a family and are struggling to make ends meet on a daily basis. I could sit here and list the odds against us yet some people through it all they still persevere so to me the real role model would be someone "like myself" who despite it all have found thier way!

Way to go girl!  You have my respect and admiration for losing weight while coping with all your other life challenges.  You have put my moaning (and blaming everything else but my greed) into perspective.  Thank you for a much-needed kick up the butt!

Dear cynthiasunshine

No need really making a final comment calling this debate "HUGE RIDICULOUS madness"It is so misplaced and above it all. No need really

You still didnt get it, that we all say like you Go Jen go, like we do for all the other women out there.

Dear lilly71

You obviously don't get it either. Just like you I am entitled to my opinion and I think this debate is ridiculous since alot of comments are not even on the topic being posted. But it's okay, I still understand your point of views, I just don't agree with them. But hey, it's a free country so might as well just say what we think about another person's life even though we have no idea how it goes for them.

:-)

Hee hee, It's very easy to mis-interpret what another writes here isn't it? If we all take a step back and read what we all wrote, we've lost heart in the real subject and took more of a stand on defending what we all believe in- Against each other! HAHAHA! The Calorie Counter crew could start a fricken War with all of us!!! LOL

If each one of us just answered Calorie Counters question, instead of being concerned about what everyone else believes in (me included) we'd all get along just fine!  : ) No matter what our answers are, we're all individuals who believe different things! That's super cool! It's the way it's meant to be! : )

Lots of love and lots of healthy weight loss to everyone! <3

I'm surprised this article didn't mention her family tragedy... A huge loss like that would impact any of us.

I do find her to be a role model.  I relate to her ups and downs, and I like that she is focused on her health.   Plus she is beautiful to look at. 

Original Post by: marjeanne1944

There are plenty of fat wealthy people. No one forces poor people to buy chips and junk. That is just a waste of money. Quicker is not the issue.  Prioritize and anyone can eat right and exercise. It takes knowledge and planning. Put yourself first at times. Ask friends and family for help. Sorry, I think money , or the lack of it, is a long time excuse.

@no one forces poor people to buy junk....all of the unhealthy food is what is the cheapest....if you want to buy organic or fresh fruits and vegetables you have to spend more money. Canned food is def. cheaper.

I guess if one has less money they would have to settle for canned vegetables and fruits as I did as a child. but instead of highly processed foods would have to take the time to make food from scratch so that they can control what is put in the food.

With less money you have to be creative. but of course taking a walk or a jog in the park is free! :)

Go Jenn! I love seeing people succeed. By some of the comments it seems like people know her, know her schedule and all about her life (WOW).  We are all human and have struggles.  Assuming things about another person isn't really that cool!  Celebrity..yes but she is also human and I'm glad she doesn't care what any of us think.  Keep on keeping on JENN. I think in reference to weight loss role modeling is difficult.  I think we should compare ourselves with ourselves and be the best we can be.  Only you know if your doing your best. 

Original Post by: margomedina

Go Jenn! I love seeing people succeed. By some of the comments it seems like people know her, know her schedule and all about her life (WOW).  We are all human and have struggles.  Assuming things about another person isn't really that cool!  Celebrity..yes but she is also human and I'm glad she doesn't care what any of us think.  Keep on keeping on JENN. I think in reference to weight loss role modeling is difficult.  I think we should compare ourselves with ourselves and be the best we can be.  Only you know if your doing your best. 

Nice Comment margomedina!!

thanks

Saw Jennifer on Oprah. I will answer the question originally asked and say , yes, I think she is a good roll model. She went through a lot of grief, losing her mom, brother and nephew and she still carries on with her career and her weight loss. Having a roll model is ok if we don't put all our own hopes and dreams on whether they succeed or not. It's up to each of us individually, to find our way. Seeing others do well is inspiring to me. It can be a celebrity or a regular person. Losing and maintaining are really hard, wish everyone could win at weight loss.

I can also be political correct!

I think we are all different and deserve the best. Jennifer is lovely and struggles on her terms as we do on our terms. Everyone who has tried to loose weight knows that no money, private chef or other can replace our own inner will and motivation. Go Jen Go

Oh man! She looks amazing. [But what do I know, I'm a dude]. 

Why not be a role model? She's been seeing fit for years [like the rest of us] to lose the extra weight and has succeeded thus far. May she now succeed in discipline.

When I am notified there is a response to something I am interested in, I take time to look. Now I keep finding these ads. Can't they be removed. 

you people need t screen things better. i come here for advice and information, not a shopping guide. stop sending these stupid e-mails from people trying to sell me crap!!!

I totally agree.  The celebrities in this world can well afford to pay for these programs but get them for free for themselves and their friends; then get paid even more to endorse them.  It would be so easy for the rest of us to do the same thing they do if we had a free journey.  I do know that it's work and diet; but sometimes we just can't financially afford the support that goes with it in the form of the programs and foods out there.

  "Easy"?  "Free"? 

You don't have to join a gym, or subscribe to WW to start a weight loss regimen.  A great way to start is this:  If you are currently maintaining your weight, and you want to lose, just take the amount of food you normally eat at a meal, and cut it by 1/3.  If you do this for every meal, from your morning cereal to your evening meal, you almost HAVE to lose weight!  Don't try to lose it all in a week, or a month.  Keep that change and, over time, you will see results.  Add some form of exercise, like walking more or taking stairs instead of the elevator, and you will keep losing. 

As far as EASY...losing is easy.  If keeping it off were easy, Kirstie Alley would still be spokesperson for WW!  :-)

I agree with those of you who said having money is not necessarily the key to weight loss. Yes people with more money can afford chefs and trainers, but you're the one who has to have the focus and the motivation. No forces poor people to over-eat, or eat a bunch of junk.

I feel that Jennifer Hudson is a great inspiration to African American women struggling with exercise and proper diet, and her being a spokesperson for Weight Watchers has probably tapped into a previously unreached market for the company. All we were seeing before were the Kristie Alley's and the Vallerie Bertinelli's.

JENNIFER HUDSON IS MY IDOL AND HAS INSPIRED ME TO EAT HEALTHIER AS WELL AS EXERCISE MORE...THKS JEN:)))