The Lauren Alaina Weight Loss Story: She Beats Bulimia And Confronts Weight Problem
She was just fifteen years of age when she competed on American Idol in 2011 and like many teenagers, was ultra sensitive about her weight at the time. Being in the spotlight during Idol made it all far worse for her. Then there were the online critics to deal with; keyboard warriors with too much time on their hands are rarely pleasant.
American Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina always wanted to be skinny. Discovering during American Idol that an unkind, insensitive blogger had nicknamed her Miss Piggy didn’t help.
Eventually her struggles with her body image led to bulimia, an eating disorder that regrettably affects around 4% of females in the US alone.
The “Secret”
She struggled secretly with the condition for 4 years before a visit to her doctor for treatment for polyps on her vocal cords shocked her into dealing with it. Suspecting that she had an eating disorder that had made the polyps worse and upon having those suspicions confirmed, the doctor warned her that if she kept forcing herself to throw up, she would damage her vocal cords to the point where she’d never sing again.
That warning forced her to confront her body image problems and these days she is tackling her weight issues in a much healthier way. She has been working with a personal trainer and a chef to lose weight and get herself fit and healthy. And if the latest photos we’ve seen of her is any indication then she’s succeeding in a big way!
If you watch TV or read the news, you’ve possibly seen or heard about a celebrity weight loss supplement touted as the “secret”, and absolutely safe (because it’s natural!) alternative. Well, today it’s a secret no longer because we’re here to tell you all about it.
A very real and significant concern when losing weight is how you’ll look. You could end up with sags and bags, or you could end up lean and buff. If your body shrinks in size as you lose weight without the skin area also “shrinking,” you could end up with loose skin hanging around your upper arms, waist, stomach, and other areas. By the time you attain your ideal size, the only solution for tightening up your skin is plastic surgery.
Lauren Alaina Weight and the Fight Against Weight-Loss Sagging
Start your strength training now and extend it throughout your weight loss program to avoid sagging skin. By incorporating strength training, your skin will shrink in unison with the rest of your body. This will create the appearance that you’ve always been at your ideal size. When you finally achieve your desired weight, those who meet you for the first time won’t suspect that you were ever overweight. Why is this? Your skin will perfectly fit your body, a result of consistent strength training, something that might be suggested by Lauren Alaina’s weight journey.
The Lauren Alaina Weight Method: Stamina, Energy, and Strength Training
If you’re seeking quick weight-loss results, strength training could be the answer, similar to the approach that might be taken by Lauren Alaina. After just three months of two-hour strength training sessions each week, you’ll notice your body becoming smaller. You’ll see reductions in your waist and upper arms, and your stomach will appear flatter.
Two strength training sessions per week are all you need. You could add a third session if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, but don’t exceed this. The process of strength training causes minor tears in your muscle fibers. This is beneficial, as the repair process on your “off” days leads to stronger, tighter muscles. If you overdo strength training, your muscles won’t have sufficient time to rebuild between sessions.
Strength Training Approaches: The Lauren Alaina Weight Style
When it comes to strength training, you have several options at your disposal. You could use free weights, which are popular, easy to use, and widely available. Starting with 2- to 3-pound weights and gradually increasing the weight as your body adapts can mimic a routine similar to Lauren Alaina’s weight regimen.
Another option is stretch tubing, a thin, flexible tube with handles on both ends. It resembles a jump rope and is available in several resistance levels. Flex bands, long, wide, stretchy bands used for resistance training, can also be used. Ankle and wrist weights can be strapped on for added resistance during strengthening exercises. Alternatively, you can use a body bar, a long weighted bar for resistance training, which may or may not have additional removable weights on either end.
Moreover, you could use an inflated ball for your exercises. While it seems harmless enough, it can actually provide a challenging strength-training exercise. A magic circle, a circular handheld ring about 15 inches in diameter with handles across from each other, is another option. By compressing the circle using your legs, arms, and other body parts, you can get a comprehensive workout. If you prefer a structured program, Pilates classes and equipment offer an exercise method that creates long, lean, and strong muscles, plus very strong abs and improved posture.
Exercise machines can also be used. Set the resistance of the machines to match your strength levels. Power-pump classes, where you lift weights in time with music, could be an exciting addition to your routine.
Muscle vs. Fat: A Glimpse at Lauren Alaina Weight
It’s important to note that muscle weighs more than fat. This means a person with higher muscle mass could weigh more, yet wear a smaller size. In addition to using your weight as a measure of attaining your ideal size, you should also take into account your body fat percentage, a principle that might be part of Lauren Alaina’s weight management strategy.
Having a higher bodyfat percentage is associated with significant health risks, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and autoimmune disorders. When you get your body fat tested at a health club or by a health practitioner, you’ll receive a reading of body fat, water, and muscle percentages. All three add up to 100 percent. Assuming that the amount of water weight remains almost constant for each individual, the variables are body fat and muscle. The more muscle you have, the less body fat you have and vice versa.
Understanding Body Fat
In body fat measurements, lower is usually best, but don’t go below the recommended guidelines. A person must have at least some body fat to be healthy. Fat pads internal organs such as the kidneys, and it also offers protection against cold weather. For women, the minimum recommended fat percentage is 12 percent. If a woman has less, her menstrual cycles could cease. Men must have a minimum of 5 percent to stay healthy.
Improving Your Muscles
By committing to strength-training exercises for two to three hours a week, you can reduce your body fat percentage by as much as 10 percentage points within six months. Less body fat and more muscle equate to more energy, higher stamina, more muscle definition, and a higher metabolism. This means you’ll burn through calories faster and can eat more food without gaining weight.
Fitness Rules for Older People
As we age, maintaining fitness and strength becomes increasingly important. Studies affirm that strength training, in addition to aerobic exercise, can help manage and sometimes prevent conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and osteoporosis. It can also protect vitality, make everyday tasks more manageable, and help maintain a healthy weight.
Muscle mass in the body generally shrinks with age, and strength and power decline. This process can start as early as age 35 and accelerates after age 60. Adults who don’t engage in regular strength training can expect to lose 4 to 6 pounds of muscle per decade. However, strength and power training can help reverse these effects and restore muscle function.
Reference: Strength and Power Training for Older Adults – Harvard Health
