Health and Beauty - RED CARPET DIET SECRETS OF THE STARS
RED CARPET DIET SECRETS OF THE STARS
We've been wowed by their stunning outfits, but just how do the stars of the red carpet keep in shape? From Penelope Cruz to Helen Mirren, we reveal the diet and fitness secrets of the gorgeous celebs at the 2007 Oscars:Penelope Cruz
Age: 32
Volver star Penelope Cruz has the laziest way of staying in shape – she swears by 12 hours sleep every night! Incredibly, people who don't get enough sleep consume up to 300 more calories a day, often by comfort eating to keep them going. When she's awake, the Spanish star loves nothing more than a good dance to help her keep fit. And she's a firm believer that a little bit of what you like won't do you any harm. “I try to eat healthy food, but I love fried food and bad things. And I love oil. Give me a plate of bread, some oil and salt and I'm happy."
Kate Winslet
Age: 31
Although confessing to be "happier in jeans and jumpers than beautiful dresses", Kate showed off her hourglass figure to perfection during her Oscars night out. To get in shape for a trip along the red carpet, Kate follows a strict regime for a fortnight in advance. "I don't drink, don't eat bread and limit processed food as it tends to be full of additives."
Sienna Miller
Age: 25
Sienna Miller is naturally slender but she knows the value of exercise to stay looking toned. "Rope yoga works mainly on the abdomen, hips and thighs," she says. "It's about toning and stretching rather than calorie burning, and it's effective in releasing tension."
Joely Richardson
Age: 42
Nip/Tuck star Joely Richardson has a rather unique way of getting toned. She's a fan of trapeze skills, having been given classes as a gift from her cast mates. The trapeze is perfect for providing all-round fitness as well as strengthening the upper body and arms, and in LA it's being offered at gyms alongside spinning and yoga classes. "The trapeze has been a blast," she says. "Terrifying the first time you let go and truly exciting when you do a catch for the first time."
Toni Collette
Age: 34
Having gained 40 pounds (18 kilograms) in seven weeks for Muriel's Wedding and 25 pounds
for her role in In Her Shoes, Little Miss Sunshine actress Toni Collette is a shadow of her former self. The secret to her slender figure is simple − like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, the 34-year-old is a fan of the macrobiotic diet.
Helen Mirren
Age: 61
She may be one of the older members of the red carpet brigade but at 61 she's got a figure that women half her age would be proud of. She attributes her trim figure to a healthy diet and occasional light exercise. "I'm very lucky to have a good constitution. I go to a gym very occasionally, but I get lots of exercise walking my dogs."
WHAT'S IN
EIGHT HOURS SLEEP: Penelope Cruz needs it − and so do we. It even helps us stop snacking the next day.
THE SKINNY COW TRIPLE CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM STICK: Under three per cent fat and
97 calories each.
HEINZ NEW EXTRA LIGHT SALAD CREAM: Just 28 calories per 20 gram serving. Great for sandwiches and salads.
WHAT'S OUT
BEING TIRED ALL THE TIME: It raises levels of hunger-stimulating hormones.
MAGNUM TRIPLE CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM: With 323 calories, that's equivalent to
a healthy options ready meal.
STANDARD MAYONNAISE: One tablespoon adds 207 calories. Trade it in for low-calorie versions.
CREDIT: A small slice of chocolate cake (278 calories) = DEBIT: One hour Ashtanga yoga class.
HOW TO EGGCERCISE AWAY THOSE EASTER CALORIES
If you cannot resist an Easter egg then here are the steps you need to take to walk off your choccy favourites…
Cadbury Crunchie: 975 calories = 19,500 steps = 3 hour 15 minute walk
Terry's Choc Orange: 949 calories = 18,980 steps = 3 hour 10 minute walk
Nestle Yorkie: 1,439 calories = 28,780 steps = 4 hour 50 minute walk
Toblerone: 1,539 calories = 30,780 steps = 5 hour 10 minute walk
Mars Delight: 1,095 calories = 21,900 steps = 3 hour 40 minute walk
Maltesers: 482 calories = 9,640 steps = 1 hour 35 minute walk.
MUST-BUY GADGET
Love swimming but get bored doing laps in the pool? This underwater MP3 player attaches to your goggles and lets you “hear” music through vibrations in your cheekbones. It sounds as good as listening to any normal MP3 player and means you can charge up and down the pool to the sound of Shakira. The SwiMP3 holds up to 30 songs and is a great bet for warding off those Easter eggs. Order one from www.swimtec-uk.com (£129.95 / €185).
WHAT'S NEW?
CHOCOLATE DIET PILLS
New to the UK, Euphoric Chocolate Diet Pills supposedly trigger the feel-good factor you get when you eat chocolate, making you more likely to stick to your diet (because you're happy). The pills also contain L-Theanine, a green-tea extract the makers claim speeds up your metabolism so you burn fat faster.
Nicki’s verdict:
The pros − There's an online diet and exercise programme to go with this product, which could kick-start a healthier lifestyle.The cons − Not enough research has been done to confirm that any of these ingredients will actually help you lose weight.
Is there anything in it for you? Having a cup of green tea and a small bar of dark chocolate will provide the same so-called weight-loss ingredients, not too many calories − and is cheaper and way more enjoyable than popping pills.
SUNNY SIDE UP
Research has shown that eating two eggs for breakfast helps keep you fuller than eating carbohydrates like bagels, toast or cereals, so you're likely to eat less when lunchtime comes around.
