I know it’s not politically correct to go by the National Enquirer, but I got roped in by the headline, “Hollywood’s Deadly Skin and Bones Diet: Stars Risking Their Lives to be Thin.” Then there was the Tabloid, In Touch, with a similar headline, “Scary Skinny!” I wasn’t actually reading these publications; I was just doing “professional” research. Confessions from the Tabloid The cover of the Enquirer featured images of 5′ 7″, 100 pound Angelina Jolie; 5′ 6″, 110 pound Anna Kournikova; and 5′ 8″, 106 pound Cate Blanchett, and others.

Looking past some amusing photos, I came to the article which quoted Dr. Stanley Title as saying, “The skin and bones diet is extremely dangerous and can cause serious health implications. Literally, there are starving themselves to death.” This is so because celebrities know that they look heavier when they’re on camera so they go to extremes to compensate for that even it means protruding bones.

Skinny and Healthy aren’t the Same

Frequently, people talk about weight loss supplements for women and men as they try to lose weight. Usually, goals have to do with how many pounds lower percentage body fat was a clothing size, leaving out energy levels, quality-of-life issues, nutrition, and overall health. I have completed over 7000 tests of body composition as a fat loss coach, so I see something, even more, alarming with these skin and bones diet plans.

Body fat to Muscle Ratio

My major concern is how that major weight can be lost through muscle rather than fat. So people end up with very little muscle but still have fat spots. I’ve checked the composition of some women who look like they’re thin, but have higher than average body fat ratios.

What they have is a bone with a pad of fat surrounding it, much like a pipe with insulation. The problem with this is compounded by the slow metabolism and lack of strength. I used to think that fat was bad: now I know that skinny fat is worse.

4 Suggestions for How to be Lean and Fit Rather than Skinny

  1. Avoid starvation diets. Because people want to believe in a quick solution, they will stop eating to lose weight, but the weight loss usually doesn’t last.
  2. Strength training should be part of your normal routine. Training with weights is not just the thing for bodybuilders: it’s good for everyone to get their metabolism to build muscle, and to be healthy.
  3. Change the words you use. Rather than using terms like “dying to be thin,” try using terms like “improving nutrition.” Instead of wanting to look skinny, how about trying to have an athletic look?
  4. Check your body composition. This will help you avoid damaging muscle loss. This is the same approach natural bodybuilders take: they each up to six meals with natural food every day to keep their muscle. Remember, it’s not about being “skinny:” it’s about being “healthy” and “lean.”
Author

Chris Harrison is a content writer and editor from New Caledonia. He is currently managing Oneunionone which is based in North Carolino. Before founding the website, he was a full time editor in New York USA.