Kirstie Ally takes another ride on the “fatty-roller coaster”

30th April 2009

Kirstie Ally takes another ride on the “fatty-roller coaster”

posted in Diets |

When Kirstie Ally stepped down as spokescelebrity for Jenny Craig last year, the rumor mill had it that she was actually fired for gaining back too much of the 75-pounds she lost while shilling for Jenny Craig. Kirstie staunchly denied the weight gain rumors and even threatened some mags with litigation over them, but it seems as if the spokescelebrity doth protest too much. In an interview scheduled to appear today on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Kirstie confirms that over the past year, she’s “gained back all the weight.” Her excuse? A lack of motivation, she says. Eating food that doesn’t come shipped in freeze-dried packages or frozen TV dinners had absolutely nothing to do with it, nope.

Poor, poor Kirstie. Did she really think she could stomach Jenny Craig food forever? Did she really buy into the company’s dubious claims of weight loss? Does she really think that the problem lies with her and not with Jenny Craig?

Despite her weight fluctuations being tabloid fodder for years and losing yet another round with yo-yo dieting, Kirstie says she’s still pursuing her own weight-loss brand. She first announced her business aspirations last year, saying “I want to create something new that will help millions of people end the seemingly never ending fatty-roller coaster ride.” It seems that for Kirstie, that ride has yet to come to a complete stop. Instead of going for another loop on that “fatty-roller coaster,” maybe she should just finally get off.

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1 On April 30th, 2009, Carrie said:

Amen!

I don’t totally fault Kirstie for believing the diet nonsense because so many of us do. We believe it because we want to believe it, because we really want that next diet to bring us love and happiness. We think that we really are that special, that we will be the statistical improbability that actually keeps the weight off.

I hope Kirstie sees that it’s not her fault she regained the weight, that it was a false promise to begin with. And I really really hope she doesn’t go on another freaking diet!

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 1:49 pm

2 On April 30th, 2009, Moe said:

She’s realized that having her own company that promotes some kind of diet plan is a cash cow (no pun intended). I’ve always enjoyed her and still hold out hope that she will come around. I wonder how the Queen will fair.

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

3 On April 30th, 2009, Rachel said:

She’s realized that having her own company that promotes some kind of diet plan is a cash cow (no pun intended).

Even if I still subscribed to the fantasy of dieting, why would I purchase a weight-loss product made by someone who has yet to lose weight and keep it off for any significant amount of time? It’s like buying a dummies guide to investing written by Bernie Madoff.

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

4 On April 30th, 2009, Tari said:

It’s like buying a dummies guide to investing written by Bernie Madoff.

ROFL

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 2:51 pm

5 On April 30th, 2009, Liz said:

My personal feeling is that it’s kind of hard to keep the weight off when you’ve done it artificially, through prepackaged meals, as opposed to learning how to eat healthy, even in the midst of all the food challenges out there. So I can see how she’d gain all the weight back. That’s why I like Linda Bacon’s approach in her book, “Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight.” She’s about living healthier, and learning how to eat, and talks about how to eat naturally. It’s the first book that I really feel will transform my eating habits for the rest of my life.

And another thing about Kirstie Alley, that Linda Bacon also talks about. You can LOSE weight. But all long term studies (5+ years) show the majority of people REGAIN lost weight. And it makes sense biologically: the body has compensatory mechanisms that thwart weight loss. She takes a rational, common-sense, and scientific look at this in the book. She explains the biological basis and shows people how to work with their bodies, not fight them. A very inspirational and educational book!

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 3:57 pm

6 On April 30th, 2009, Liz said:

Forgot to mention I liked the crack about Bernie Madoff… Also, for those interested in the “Health at Every Size” book, you can read an excerpt.

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

7 On April 30th, 2009, Rachel said:

A very inspirational and educational book!

I agree! I just finished it the other week mostly because I couldn’t put it down.

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 4:02 pm

8 On April 30th, 2009, Lee said:

Kinda mean attitude going on here. Why not wait and see what Ms. Alley has to say about her experience?

Lance Armstrong wrote a book about his experience with testicular cancer and then founded a nonprofit to assist others living with cancer. Who can fault Ms. Alley for having an interest in developing a weight loss program? When she was successful with her weight loss she must have been riding high.

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 4:18 pm

9 On April 30th, 2009, Nicole said:

Lee–are you really comparing testicular cancer to dieting? Really?

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 4:31 pm

10 On April 30th, 2009, Meems said:

Lee, I think you’re kinda missing the point here. Sure, she was probably “riding high” when she’d lost weight, but why? Was it because she was healthier or because he looked more socially acceptable? She’s a part of an industry that holds people to even more stringent physical standards than most “normal” people, but thinness doesn’t equal health.

I don’t think the comments are especially mean-spirited, either, but rather a reflection of frustration that people still believe that we must lose weight and look a certain way in order to be happy and healthy.

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 4:35 pm

11 On April 30th, 2009, Rachel said:

@Lee: Besides the obvious differences Nicole so astutely pointed out, Lee Armstrong isn’t exactly recommending men actively go out and do things that might increase their risk for testicular cancer. I think it is hypocritical and the epitome of unethical to promote a product that one knows all too well doesn’t work. That’s exactly why so many people were outraged when the Kimkins scam was revealed.

And I think you make a key point here. Or should I say key word, bolded below.

When she was successful with her weight loss she must have been riding high.

I’m sure she was riding high and it’s precisely those lofty, unrealistic expectations that make the inevitable lows of weight regain so demoralizing and depressing. Longterm weight loss isn’t impossible (hello, I’m past the five-year mark), but you won’t find it in a pill or mail order food program.

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 5:08 pm

12 On April 30th, 2009, Rachel said:

Kinda mean attitude going on here.

Yeah, I can’t believe the mean, nasty comments here, like “I’ve really enjoyed [Kirstie]” and “I hope Kirstie sees that it’s not her fault she regained the weight.” Everyone here is just hating on Kirstie Ally!

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 5:14 pm

13 On April 30th, 2009, Anna said:

I feel pretty bad for Kristie Alley. She is famous for a while, then fades, then loses a ton of weight and is famous again, then loses that only now, instead of fading, she’s recieving public scorn.

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 7:49 pm

14 On April 30th, 2009, Twistie said:

Add me to the chorus of those mean-spirited souls who wish Kirstie Ally would wake up and smell the coffee about dieting. Why? Because then maybe she could put her energy back into enjoying her life and entertaining the public instead of another fruitless round of dieting followed by another round of self-loathing when her body simply won’t retain the artificial change she made in it.

I felt the same way when Oprah Winfrey put on sackcloth and ashes a few months ago about ‘letting herself’ creep back up to two hundred pounds.

These two women are intelligent, beautiful, talented, and have the ears of millions of women. I am sorrowful for them and their audiences that they can’t seem to see past the endless diet rhetoric and celebrate the bodies nature intended them to have. I am sorrowful that they both listen to the endless blaming about their weight, that they haven’t yet figured out that the health issues they’re trying to dodge by dieting are actually intensified by yo-yo dieting.

And I really hope they figure it out at some point.

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 9:01 pm

15 On April 30th, 2009, Godless Heathen said:

I love Kirstie. I’ve been cut off from most of her professional career due to a lack of media access(I don’t watch anything but PBS and no longer pay to see movies), but I’ve always loved her humor. I honestly feel like there aren’t enough people in her life telling her how much they love her just as she is, which is why she’s been willing to do public spokes-dieting. I keep wishing she’d tell Hollywood to go fuck itself if nobody will hire her because of her weight, but apparently she doesn’t have enough emotional support to build up that kind of chutzpah. It makes me so sad to see her this beaten down.

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 10:06 pm

16 On April 30th, 2009, Sassyinkpen said:

Lee, what do you consider being “successful with her weight loss” anyway? All things considered, it’s kinda like saying she’s a little bit pregnant.

I have always adored Kirstie, and admired her as someone who proved you could look fabulous and sexy at larger sizes. I really DO wish she’d catch the clue bus and embrace that. I can just imagine how kick-ass she could be.

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 11:22 pm

17 On May 1st, 2009, Kristie said:

I think it’s really sad that a 58-year-old woman who has had a successful career in a cutthroat business has no greater goal for herself than to get back into a bikini. I think it’s sadder that she continues to buy into the idea that SHE is the failure, instead of dieting. And Oprah, who suffers the same disease, eggs her on. When even our role models are compromised by this insanity, what hope does the average Jane have to escape it?

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 12:25 am

18 On May 1st, 2009, cggirl said:

Hi,

First of all thanks so much for writing about this. It’s been making me crazy, watching those commercials. Oprah keeps trotting out people like this lately, people who PROVE the pointlessness of dieting and yet she just doesn’t reach the right conclusion from it.

As to Lee’s comment: one more thing besides what others said – Lance Armstrong started a NON-profit org, whereas Kirstie is trying to make money off a scam just like the one she fell for. (Even if you don’t agree with me that it’s a scam, it’s still a different thing non-profit versus for-profit.)

And ya, fatness is NOT comparable to cancer but that’s a whole other story.

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 12:59 am

19 On May 1st, 2009, Misty said:

With respect, I think we’re all being very naive here. Kirstie Alley’s weight gain just prior to the Jenny Craig endorsement (and subsequent weight loss) was all part of a marketing plan (including her TV show, which JC funded — basically as a dramatized infomercial).

That’s right — the GAIN was part of the plan, as well as the loss.

The exact same thing is happening now. She gained the weight back to get publicity, and will lose the weight to get more publicity, all to push her diet brand.

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 2:54 am

20 On May 1st, 2009, Meowser said:

Why won’t Kirstie embrace HAES?

I’ll tell you why. Because there is no publicity in it.

Performers live for attention. If she just accepted herself the way she was, the attention would go away. She hasn’t actually been cast in anything of note other than Fat Actress in how long now? And she’s pushing 60. Actresses her age have a hard enough time getting cast even if they’re perfectly slim.

Every time she gets her picture in People or Us following her latest diet is a reminder to Hollywood that she still exists. Embracing her form the way it is would earn her not a single dime. Sad but true.

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 3:47 am

21 On May 1st, 2009, Rachel_in_WY said:

I enthusiastically second Lee’s thought:

My personal feeling is that it’s kind of hard to keep the weight off when you’ve done it artificially, through prepackaged meals, as opposed to learning how to eat healthy, even in the midst of all the food challenges out there.

When I was a personal trainer I spent most of my time convincing people that the appropriate goal was health, and developing lifelong healthy habits, and that if that’s your primary goal, weight loss will often follow. Of course, many women will be disappointed to find that the weight their body wants to maintain when they’re eating a wide variety of healthy foods in moderation and exercising is more like 150-160 rather than 120-130, but the feeling of being healthy, having glowing skin and hair, sleeping well, having a lot of energy, etc. was often enough to convince them that letting their body just be a healthy size, whatever that turned out to be, was enough. Unfortunately, the messages that contradict this are so prevalent and powerful in our culture that other clients would often resort to fad diets once it became clear that following the healthy eating and exercise thing wasn’t going to make them super thin if their body didn’t want to be thin. And I didn’t blame them – I live in this culture too, and understand the pressure. But it makes the job of personal trainer really frustrating, and often unfulfilling.

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 11:24 am

22 On May 1st, 2009, Orora said:

After reading the People article, I’m even sadder for her:

“I just said, ‘I’m going to cut myself some slack.’ Big mistake.”
“I thought, ‘You know what I need? You know what I haven’t had a lot of? I haven’t had a lot of dinner parties and company,’ ” says Alley.

Being kind to yourself and enjoying food with friends is inferior to being thin? Being a size 4 is worth giving up a life full of joy and companionship? I’d rather be a fattie with a fulfilling life (food and other-wise) than skinny and lonely. I feel so much empathy, and some sympathy, for her. She must be in a lot of pain.

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 11:33 am

23 On May 1st, 2009, Rachel said:

My personal feeling is that it’s kind of hard to keep the weight off when you’ve done it artificially, through prepackaged meals, as opposed to learning how to eat healthy, even in the midst of all the food challenges out there.

Agreed, and I think this is why Jenny Craig subscribers have such dismal longterm weight loss statistics. Most reviews I’ve read of Jenny Food say that the food tastes horrible, including a nutritionist’s review that finds it to be chock full of preservatives, chemicals and hydrogenated oils. So, not only does it taste gross, but it’s not all that healthy for you, either.

@Rachel_in_Wy: A great philosophy! Do you find that many other personal trainers also promote the same kind of beliefs?

@Orora: I think that Kirstie’s weight loss and public role as JC spokeswoman must have been incredibly stressful, especially with the paparazzi speculating on every pound gained or lost. Sure, Kirstie signed up for this, but still… No one can maintain such strict dietary rules forever, which is why most dieters end up regaining weight. Kirstie may be a celebrity, but she’s still human.

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 11:48 am

24 On May 1st, 2009, rowdygirl said:

I think if she would finally tell the whole truth, she would have a much better chance of being successful. She needs to stop lying about her actual weight and face it. We don’t need to know the real number, and if she wants to pretend to herself that she weighs 200 lbs, more power to her. Just don’t expect me to buy it.
When she came out the last time and said her highest weight was 200, and then that she lost 75, it was a joke. There is no way she was anywhere close to 125. Look at pictures of her when she was on Cheers. She must have weighed about 75 pounds then is we’re supposed to beleive she weighs 200 now.
I’m an overweight woman and have struggled with weight my WHOLE LIFE. I had gastric bypass surgery in 2003 and I’m still considered overweight after losing 170 pounds. I will never be a skinny person, but I am much healthier.
This story irritates me because I feel like she is lying to the people that she is supposedly trying to inspire. Just be who you REALLY are and that will be inspiring, no matter who much you really weigh.

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 12:49 pm

25 On May 1st, 2009, Orora said:

@Rachel: I really feel that pain. I lost 50 pounds, gained it all back. Feel like crap about it. I’d love to just take her by the shoulders and say, “Girl, you are fabulous at any size. Let’s start a plus-size clothing line that’s as fabulous as you are, and should down any mofos who say we shouldn’t. This is who we are, and who we are is amazing.”

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 12:57 pm

26 On May 1st, 2009, Rachel said:

Orora: You might be on to something. I think Kirstie would be much more successful a businesswoman if she went into the plus-size clothing biz.

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 1:06 pm

27 On May 1st, 2009, Nicole said:

I do have sympathy for these celebrities, because I can only imagine how difficult it would be to try to accept yourself at your natural size when the tabloids are there to put pictures of you on the cover with screaming nasty headlines about “packing on the pounds” and other nonsense. BUT I can’t feel too bad for those who enter into deals with the devil to become celebrity spokespeople and feed into our whole screwed up culture where fatness is concerned. Every time that Valerie Bertenelli commercial plays (or any other such commercial) the message is sent that weight is totally a matter of “willpower” and that “anyone” can lose weight–and that if you don’t or can’t, you should be ashamed of your body and hide it.

It hurts everyone. All women. And people like Oprah and Kirstie Alley make it ten times worse with their refusal to let go of the idea–and to stop hawking night and day–that thin=health, thin=attractive, and thin=moral.

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 2:05 pm

28 On May 1st, 2009, Bree said:

I think this is why Jenny Craig subscribers have such dismal longterm weight loss statistics. Most reviews I’ve read of Jenny Food say that the food tastes horrible, including a nutritionist’s review that finds it to be chock full of preservatives, chemicals and hydrogenated oils. So, not only does it taste gross, but it’s not all that healthy for you, either.

I’ve heard the same thing about NutriSystem, as well as some people developing heartburn and digestive problems after eating it for a while. I also know a woman that had to have her gall bladder out because of her SlimFast diet. My grandparents were adament I did not go on SlimFast. I still ended up having to have mine taken out too, but both my grandparents had to have theirs out, and my mom got the surgery last year, so bad gall bladders run in the family.

Anyway, another thing about the prepackaged meals is that once you stop it for a while and go back to “real food,” weight gain most likely will occur.

Given Kirstie’s history of yo-yo dieting failures, the last thing she should be doing is starting her own diet plan. I’m not saying it to be mean, but because if nothing else has worked, does she really think doing her own will work—and work for others as well?

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 2:11 pm

29 On May 1st, 2009, Rachel said:

I think the only thing that has ever really “worked” for Kirstie is cocaine.

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 2:34 pm

30 On May 1st, 2009, Misty said:

I think an interesting question to ask here is, why does the public (even the part of the public that identifies itself as media-savvy) actually believe the statements that these *actresses* make, even to the point of “feeling sorry for them”?

These public confessionals are just marketing stunts, yet the public takes them at face value, from the woman at the checkout counter even to self-styled media critics.

Remember: she’s an actress trying to make a buck.

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 2:36 pm

31 On May 1st, 2009, Jo said:

How does having friends/company/throwing dinner parties automatically make you fat?

I throw lots of

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 10:05 pm

32 On May 1st, 2009, Jo said:

Woops – hit the submit key, hehe

I throw lots of* parties with food galore. I just don’t continue eating after I’m full and I don’t serve heavily processed foods and avoid things that are obviously unhealthy (such as products high in sat. fats).

No matter what size she is, I’ll always love her. Cheers! (ha)

posted on May 1st, 2009 at 10:07 pm

33 On May 2nd, 2009, Lee said:

I didn’t say everyone was showing a “mean girl” attitude toward Alley, but I thought there were snarky, judgmental elements to the original post.

Obviously, I was not comparing testicular cancer to obesity and weight loss, I was making a point about how Lance Armstrong uses his celebrity to further his interest in cancer prevention and treatment (an interest he didn’t have, apparently, until he developed cancer). Alley thinking she may have a good idea about a weight loss program seems pretty normal, especially when she had successfully lost 75 pounds.
After viewing her Oprah appearance, she seems to be coping with some confused thinking about her eating and weight issues — i.e., guilty, shame while also liking the attention. Wish there had been at least some discussion about H E A L T H. Disappointing that the Oprah show folks found it necessary to keep flashing Valerie Bertinelli bikini shots and wanting reaction from Alley. Cheesy & sleazy.

BTW – the person who suggested that Kirstie should consider using her celebrity to develop a line of stylish clothing for bigger women has a good idea.

posted on May 2nd, 2009 at 2:02 pm

34 On May 2nd, 2009, Misty said:

I would rather see someone develop a line of clothing for fuller-figured women who DOESN’T act perpetually ashamed of herself any time she gains weight, call herself names, and act as if losing weight is some sort of “accomplishment.”

I would rather see someone develop a line of clothing for fuller-figured women who actually LIKES herself curvy; dare I say it, even PREFERS herself curvy.

posted on May 2nd, 2009 at 6:27 pm

35 On May 3rd, 2009, cggirl said:

@Jo – you say “How does having friends/company/throwing dinner parties automatically make you fat? … I just don’t continue eating after I’m full and I don’t serve heavily processed foods and avoid things that are obviously unhealthy (such as products high in sat. fats).”

Well, you’re right that friends/company/dinner parties don’t make you fat. But doing what you describe – which sounds lovely and healthy – also doesn’t automatically make you thin. Just wanted to point that out, because some might infer that from your comment…

@Lee – I think part of our point is that even if someone does want to lose weight and think that’s a good thing, losing 75 pounds isn’t a “success” if you gain it all back every time. That’s precisely the scam of dieting.

posted on May 3rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm

36 On May 4th, 2009, QuiltLuvr said:

I think Kirstie is wanting to develop her own diet because she thinks there still IS something out there that would work and she wants to find it. I thought the same thing at one point. I thought as a chemist, that I could become a bio-medical researcher and find something that actually DID work (and would also work for ME). I did much research and finally had to face the fact that what makes diets not work is our basic physiology.

posted on May 4th, 2009 at 12:08 pm

37 On June 1st, 2009, Weight Battles of the Rich and Famous » The-F-Word.org said:

[...] the New York Times article also highlights why even the most smug and deluded of celebrities, ahem, Kirstie Alley, shouldn’t have their bodies scrutinized once the weight (inevitably) returns. “When you [...]

posted on June 1st, 2009 at 2:00 pm

38 On November 5th, 2009, Kirstie Alley to get new weight loss reality show » The-F-Word.org said:

[...] The network has so far only committed to to half-hour episodes, begging the question: If Kirstie loses the weight in season one, will viewers tune in for a second? Stay tuned for more of the Kirstie Alley “fatty-roller coaster.” [...]

posted on November 5th, 2009 at 11:03 am