Last night, I watched the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on CBS. Naturally, I felt bad about myself sitting on the couch watching these beautiful ladies strut their stuff down the runway. How quickly I had forgotten the article I read just a couple of weeks ago. You see, the models do look great in the show but like me, they know how to zone in and suck it up for the last few weeks before the show.
Most people assume models are naturally skinny (and they are right for the most part) but many do need to work at it. Adriana Lima was quoted in the New York Magazine in November as saying she works out twice a day starting 3-weeks before the shoot consisting of boxing, jumping rope and lifting weights. She started working out with her trainer back in August.
In regards to her diet, here is what the NY Mag posted last year:
She sees a nutritionist, who has measured her body’s muscle mass, fat ratio and levels of water retention. He prescribes protein shakes, vitamins and supplements to keep Lima’s energy levels up during this training period. Lima drinks a gallon of water a day. For nine days before the show, she will drink only protein shakes — “no solids”. The concoctions include powdered egg. Two days before the show, she will abstain from the daily gallon of water, and “just drink normally”. Then, 12 hours before the show, she will stop drinking entirely.
“No liquids at all so you dry out, sometimes you can lose up to eight pounds just from that,” she says.
This doesn’t sound in the least bit healthy. I know how to keep a strict diet like before a photoshoot but this just sounds plain painful. I might not have the healthiest diet a couple of days leading up to a shoot but I know it’s temporary and I can eat/drink whatever I want the next day. I’m hoping/guessing Lima did the same. While I cannot endorse or say that what Lima does is healthy at all, I too limit my fluids the day of a shoot. I too will drink a gallon of water during the days leading up to it, until I reach 4 days outs. Then I cut it down gradually to 1/2 gallon a day, a 1/4 gallon a day, 1/4 gallon a diet and then limit the day of the shoot to when I’m thirsty and need water. However, I would never do a diet that consists of only liquids.
Lastly, the weight you lose the last few days is not actual fat loss. It’s water weight and you gain it back the next few days.
What did you think of the Fashion Show? I love how the models really seem to be having a ton of fun. I do appreciate the models looking healthy and strong but if the rest of them workout/eat like Lima, I’m
This was an interesting post. I would never have the willpower to go on an all-liquids diet.
me neither!!
I’ve heard a few different opinions on Ms. Lima’s techniques…to me it seems a bit much. I can’t fathom two days without liquids, I can’t even go two HOURS without!!
I find it intriguing how people watch these models (or actresses or athletes) and compare themselves to them. Here’s the thing: Models are PAID TO BE SKINNY. They are essentially paid to go to the gym and paid to diet. They can work out twice a day because, presumably, this is their primary job. Most of us have day jobs or are in school, which makes squeezing in an hour a day tricky. So while I think those models are beautiful and I respect them for their dedication, I don’t envy them. We lead different lifestyles, and I’m okay with not being a size 2.
Also, I came across this article concerning the fashion show. It hit the nail on the head:
http://healthyisthenewskinny.com/blog/2011/12/the-body-project-victorias-secret-show-and-perfectionism/#.Tte7IhhkRBE.facebook
What would you recommend to do first to lose weight?