Celebrity Appearances Can Be Deceiving…

We all have addictions. Some are more serious than others. For me, it’s being connected. Being connected? You know those annoying people who are always on their iPhone, laptop or listening to their MP3? Yes – that is me. I do all of them - simultaneously. I’m a connect-addict.

Now if you read the title of this post, you are probably wondering what my pathetic infatuation has to do with celebrity appearances. The idea for this post came one evening this past week when I was indulging in my addiction. As I was on the elliptical at the gym, I found myself extremely “connected.” In addition to actually working out, I was watching one of those entertainment TV shows, reading the latest issue of a guilty-pleasure magazine AND listening to the radio on my iPod (not to mention, I was people-watching…sad, but true). I’m that person at the gym; you know, the one who does practically everything else other than focusing on the repetitive motion of the machine. Still feel like I got a good workout in, nonetheless; heart rate was up and I did break a sweat or two. Some would say this is not actually working out; I, on the other hand, call it true talent.

In addition to all my other distractions, I pose for pictures on machines too...

Alas , this is not the point of my post…

As I was employing my superpowers and watching the TV while reading the magazine, two nearly identical stories were on my radar, discussing not-so-fit celebrities trying to get in shape for 2012. And both of them involved images such as these…

K-Fed (Brittany Spear's ex) running

Hopefully the old Arnold "will be back"

This got me thinking about celebrities and whether we view them as healthy or not healthy (another distraction from my actual workout – rats). All too often, we think “Oh it must be so easy to be a celebrity and have the money and time to devote to getting in shape and eating right.”

Sure, they may have a few extra resources at hand. However, celebrities must still have the drive and motivation to live a healthy lifestyle, just like you and me. We all know that the only person who can whip you into shape is YOU. Your personal trainer can help, those tasteless-yet-supposedly-healthy tofu brownies may help. But YOU have to want to make the change and put in the work to do it.

Another factor to consider is that appearances can be deceiving. Just because someone (namely a celebrity) looks healthy, does not necessarily mean they are healthy. And conversely, some people may look like they are a bit overweight (a relative term, in my opinion), but may actually live quite the healthy lifestyle.

So I made a short list (making lists – another addiction of mine…). Keep in mind that this is a completely subjective list. The research done for this was made up of knowledge I have gained from the most credible of resources: celebrity gossip magazines, questionable entertainment websites and the like. However, despite what I like to choose to believe, I’ve been told tthese are not the most accurate sources for information…

I’m interested to hear your feedback on my thoughts. Is it easier for celebrities to stay in shape than the Average Joe or Jane? Any celebrities you would want to add to my lists? Any disputes on those I put on my lists? Talk to me – remember, I like staying connected…

Celebrities who look healthy and ARE healthy

• Reese Witherspoon: One of my favorite actresses and a great role model for living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Reese is an avid runner who attributes her dedication to the fact that for her, running doesn’t even feel like working out. She frequently has a fitness buddy with her, whether it is her husband or dog, and also incorporates yoga and spin classes into her regime to avoid a workout rut. She has a healthy looking physique, unlike so many of the celebrities we see today deemed as “in shape.” And while she makes great movies, I think Reese’s most admirable role is as the Global Avon Ambassador, for which she participates in numerous Avon Breast Cancer Walks across the nation each year.

• Matthew McConaughey: The notoriously shirtless actor doesn’t spend countless hours at the gym, but rather stays active in the great outdoors. I know when I go to a beach, my first thought is to scope out the prime location to lay down and do nothing other than sipping a large strawberry daiquiri. Matthew sees it as an opportunity to surf, run or even cycle. He also strength trains on a regular basis and keeps his family fit by running with his wife and two little kids. Matthew attributes his great body and health to choosing hobbies that revolve around some type of active undertaking, advice that many of us could benefit from.

Celebrities who look healthy but are NOT actually healthy

• Jennifer Aniston: Yes, this woman has made every “Best Celebrity Body” list known to man, she does hours of power yoga with famed celebrity yogi Mandy Ingber, and eats lots of lean protein and veggies. But did you know Aniston has been a smoker for years? Now supposedly she quit as of recently in preparation for having a baby. But smoking is one of the most unhealthy habits you can partake in with long-lasting side effects. Smoking does not equal healthy, not matter how much you work out and eat right. I would still kill for her toned arms though…

• The Situation: You may have heard of a show called Jersey Shore. I pride myself in the fact that I have never watched it, but I do know of the characters all too well through their incessant media exposure. The Situation, aka Mike Sorrentino, does have a great physique…I mean, look at those abs?? He lives an active lifestyle, has his own workout videos and keeps his body in tip-top shape. However, he also takes part in heavy drinking and late-night partying and junk-food-runs on a regular basis, inevitable creating long-term damage to his body. And last year, The Sitch signed a deal to be the face of Boca Tanning Club – and I think we all know the harmful side effects of the tanning beds. Sometimes looks just aren’t everything.

Celebrities who DON’T look healthy…and you are right, they are not 

• Paula Deen: Other than the Republican Presidential Race, the biggest story of the past few weeks has been that Paula Deen was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes – years ago.  I hate to pick on her even more AND I do love watching her shows on The Food Network. She is a very entertaining woman and a great cook. However, I don’t think anyone can argue that the woman is not exactly a picture of health. Her dishes are almost always covered in a heavy cream sauce, fried or dipped in layers of chocolate. One of her most infamous dishes is a burger sandwiched between 2 Krispie Kreme donuts. She calls it a “Brunch Burger;” I call it “Heart Attack Waiting to Happen.” Hopefully she takes the opportunity to create some lightened-up versions of her classics and show America that low-fat does not have to mean low-flavor. I truly wish her all the best in her efforts to get healthy. Just switch those Krispie Kremes for whole wheat sandwich thins, Paula, and you are on the road to recovery.

• Jack Black: A greatly talented, hilarious actor – but not a healthy role model. So many Hollywood funnymen have built a career around being a larger size (a somewhat double-standard in my opinion). Think about it: Chris Farley, John Goodman, John Belushi, and the list goes on – they almost used their heaviness to make a name for themselves. Black has joked about his weight and being a fat guy in Hollywood, saying, “I’ve got a lot of fat guys trying to knock me off fat mountain. They’re all coming. They’re like, ‘I want to be the fat guy.’ I’m like, ‘No I’m the fattest fat guy. I’ll beat you fat guys.” Luckily, he has vocalized his hope to lose 50 pounds through “push-ups, sit-ups and a strict diet of…raisins.” He will need to eat more than raisins, but hopefully he will stick to his plan and be able to achieve a healthier lifestyle. We want him to make us laugh for years to come.