In a recent interview with Us Weekly, Janet Jackson has revealed how she managed to keep the weight off after her spectacular weight loss of 60 pounds just a year ago. Here is how the story goes:
Alert the diet police: Janet Jackson is eating a coconut chocolate tart! “Just a bite,” the 5-foot-4 Jackson tells Us over a May 10 lunch prepared by chef Bobby Flay at the opening of The Cove Atlantis resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
And true to her word, the 41-year-old Jackson limits herself to one taste of the dessert, after a nutritionist-approved meal of grilled salmon, salad with lemon pepper dressing and fresh papaya.
Let’s talk diet. Are you still having meals delivered?
No. I hired a chef, but my meals are very similar because I am still working with my nutritionist, David. If I can’t meet with him, he e-mails me and sees how I am doing. It’s about control, and it’s a balanced diet. Of course I have cheat days!
Especially with my dancers, who love to eat. And after a hard day of work, they want to unwind and grab a drink, and alcohol is not good for my diet with all the extra calories. I try to have a glass of wine, but then somebody comes with a lemon drop and it’s so good.
You feel like you’re drinking cough syrup or candy, and before you know it, the next day comes and you feel it. So I make up for it with a few more reps when I lift weights, or we go a little longer.
And once in a blue moon I eat chocolate, but it has to be dark chocolate, which has more antioxidants. It is bitter, but I have gotten used to it.
What about dieting tips?
Eating light and clean helps, but you really shouldn’t think of it as a diet, otherwise you feel like you are depriving yourself. If you crave something, you should have a little bit of it, then let it go and move on. Do a little extra exercise so you’re back on track.
Do you have advice for people trying to lose weight?
If I can do it, anybody can do it. I hate working out, but Tony makes it fun. You have to find what works for you. And don’t let it get boring! If it does, beef it up and do something else.
Keep it fun. That’s the key for me. Volleyball in the sand is fun. Get a group of friends and play. It is such a great workout – it will get you in great shape if you do it a couple times a week.
Are you still working out six days a week?
I’m supposed to be. Honestly, I haven’t worked out quite as heavily as I was before because I injured my shoulder and I was told to lay off of it.
Tony says it’s a stressed rotator cuff because I’ve been doing dance routines over and over g that put stress on my joints. So I’ve been walking and riding the bike, but avoiding movements with my arms.
You’re dedicated to exercise even through injury!
Luckily, now my workouts are shorter than they used to be. I used to do an hour when I was trying to lose the weight, but now it’s half that. I’m impatient!
Are you ever scared you’ll gain weight back, now that you’ve been 120 pounds for a year?
I have moments – I crave chocolate, or just want to eat. One thing that helps is getting my clothes altered to fit so I can tell when I gain or lose. I used to wear overalls all the time, and my mom said, “Baby, don’t do that or you won’t know how much you lose.”
So it’s been a year since you lost 60 pounds. How do you feel?
I feel really good. I have a great support system to keep me on track. My nutritionist, David Allen, is like a brother, and my trainer, Tony Martinez, is great – he makes me mad sometimes, but he knows I love him.
We have fun together, and that’s what keeps me coming back. But I still don’t like working out. It’s hard for me. I have to push myself to want to do it. [via]