How Janet Jackson lost 60lbs
Why did Janet Jackson gain weight?
Fans were shocked when the 40 year old star, who virtually disappeared after her performance at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, appeared in November barely recognizable with 60 new pounds packed on her five foot four frame.
Since then she has managed to melt away almost all of it, but her dramatic yo-yoing still poses some big questions: Why did she get so heavy in the first place? and how did she turn it around?
Janet talks about weighing 180lbs and how she got back into shape!
Why did you gain all this weight?
“Before I started singing, my first passion was acting. I put the weight on for a film I was to do with Lee Daniels. They wanted to see me in a different light, as a heavier woman. They really wanted to make it a statement in the film. I was excited about it! We were supposed to shoot right after Jermaine’s birthday party in September 2005, but they had to push the film back. The timing didn’t quite work with trying to finish my album, and unfortunately I wasn’t able to do the film. I found myself having to take this weight off alot quicker than I had planned.”
And how did you gain it?
“Oh. God, just eating whatever I desired! “Ooh, that looks good, give me that whole slice of cake!” That was the fun part. I would look in the mirror and I wouldn’t recognise myself.”
What was the biggest change that you noticed?
“My thighs got really healthy and hefty and I got this really big stomach….It was very different being in that skin. I had a hard time doing things that you’re normally used to doing. Getting around was tougher. My shoes were tough and my ankles would bother me; they’d ache at times. Certain rings would not fit my fingers and watches would not fit my wrist, so i stopped wearing jewellry.”
How long did it take you to lose the weight?
“Four months. It came off fairly quick- but I hit a plateau for two months. Talk about freaking out! Usually my body is pretty quick at responding. But this time, a month had passed and then a second month had passed, and I said, “OK, is this it for me? I know they say it’s a little harder when you get older- is this what they were talking about?” Then suddenly, out of nowhere it just kicked back in and it started melting off again. That’s what made it harder. It made me a little bit nervous, especially gaining the amount of weight that I did. I’ve never been that size before.”
What diet plan did you follow?
“We don’t call it a diet plan. It’s a way of life- good portions, nice, balanced meals. My Nutritionist, David Allen found a dining company and they brought my food every evening for the following day. So I actually ate four or five times a day, depending on how late I stayed up working.”
How quickly did you see the results?
“I didn’t notice at first. Everyone else around me did. They noticed it immediately when I got on my regime. The first week, they said “You’ve lost weight already.” And then I started to notice that my clothes fit a little differently.
HER DIET AND WORKOUT SECRETS
Her Nutritionist David Allen, is the one who pulled it all together for her. Janet tells us of her weight loss regime.”The diet was very strict….It was all about discipline.” She shares top tips from the plan and 1 day in her diet.
Watch your portions
David had Janet eat four meals a day, totalling between 1,150 and 1,450 calories. “They were small portions but enough to satisfy your palate and keep you moving” says the singer. David adds “Janet is extremely dedicated and focused.”
Eat Regularly
“I tend to miss meals , and that’s not good” she says. “You will hold on to weight and body fat if you miss meals.”
Get some Shut-eye
“Sleep is very important to weight loss” Janet says. (Several studies show that lack of sleep increases appetite)
Omit the Junk
“We cut out processed foods, white sugar and white flour, alcohol, sodas, and she drank about 2-3 litres of Water a day.”
SAMPLE MENU
BREAKFAST
- 6 Egg Whites
- 1/3 cup of Oatmeal
LUNCH
- 4 ounces of Chicken breast
- Organic mixed salad
AFTERNOON SNACK
- 3 ounces of grilled shrimp
- 1 cup of mixed vegetables
DINNER
- 4 ounces of grilled salmon
- 15 grilled asparagus spears
