I was recently looking at a news article about Weight Watchers employing Jennifer Hudson for their latest ad campaigns.  And we have Jennifer Craig who rotates celebrities now – Valerie Bertinelli, James Alexander, yadda yadda. (Hey, had to do a Seinfeld commemoration!)

This all got me thinking – are Americans more obsessed with weight loss than other cultures?  Or, is it perhaps the way we go about weight loss that’s different, but the obsession the same?  In America, I see the ”group/assisted” programs like Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, and LA Weight Loss, (by the way, I tried Jenny Craig, and the assistants are nothing like the celebrities belabor!  I guess if you’re a celebrity maybe you get extra help!)  and the mail order programs like Nutrisystem, and we have Boot Camp exercise programs, The Biggest Loser on TV, weight loss drugs, weight loss shakes, weight loss bars, and now…weight loss surgery!  Sure, beyond liposuction, you can now get a sort of rubber band placed around your stomach to lose weight!   We seem to want quick fixes, but we don’t seem to promote as much long-term solutions.  What I mean is, you pick your method – drugs, special foods, group/assisted method, etc. and once you’ve lost the weight, you’re on your own.

In France, I feel like I’ve seen a lot more articles – magazine and stories in the news – about how to eat better.  There is less focus on working out in the gym (something I found a lot less common in France, though that may be changing) and more focus on eating healthy foods, and proportions.  Even though the French may not go to the gym, in my experience, they do walk and bike ride a lot as a daily habit, compiled with eating smaller portions and more homemade meals.  Even in Paris, with all the sauces and foie gras, every time I spend an extended period of time there, I end up losing weight!

So, what’s your opinion – do you think weight loss is a global obsession, or something that Americans are more consumed with?  I’d love to know your thoughts.

Though this has nothing to do with the main theme of my blog, thought this might be a general topic that all could relate to!

I just came back from a fantastic vacation in Arizona and seem to have kick-started the weight-loss I’ve been seeking!  I’ve been going to the gym 3 times a week the past month with very little visible results, but Arizona seems to have worked!  I don’t know if it’s Arizona, being on vacation, or the incredible heat, or the combo, but it worked!  Here’s what I did -

1. I went on vacation in a place completely different to home and got away from all the daily stresses
2. I woke up at 6am instead of 9am – 12pm (depending on day/weekend) and went on a hike for about 2 hours each day
3. I sweat a lot – that Arizona heat really gets you
4. I drank a lot – probably around 4 – 8 bottles of water a day – not glasses, BOTTLES
5. I discovered Kombucha drinks – they are interesting, disgusting, and weird-tasting all at the same time.  You have to try it to understand, trust me!
6. I ate raw food most of the time (Uncooked vegetables) and no or very little bread
7. I cut out coffee (but did have tea!)
8. I lived each day full of enjoyable experiences

Now that I’m home, my clothes are fitting better, some loosening up (!) and it’s made me stay on track with my fitness goals.  I’m trying to continue the raw foods for a bit longer, and though I am going to the gym, believe I need to find a way to exercise in nature – perhaps get out of town, go on some hikes, go to the park, take long walks, we’ll see!

So, in case my success might work for anyone else, just passing on the details!