Debra Messing said she lost 20 lbs just by eating ‘clean’ and not dieting

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Debra Messing, 45, just revealed that she lost 20 pounds around two years ago by switching up her diet to add more healthy fruits and vegetables. As you can see from the sort-of before and after photo above, I had a hard time finding photos where she actually looked 20 pounds ‘heavier’. She’s always been very tall and lean from what I could find and she looked great in the “before” picture. Messing said she did lose the weight, and that it was an unintended side effect of adding in veggies to her diet and cutting out the junk. She said that she starts her day with a green juice smoothie and that she’s not eating as much high carb food. Messing is promoting her collaboration with the allergy drug Zyrtec, so she also got a little plug in for Zyrtec. It sounds like a great product for her to endorse, since she said she’s allergic to so many things and that the drug has helped her. Here’s more.

You would never know it, but the “Will & Grace” icon, 45, recently made an effort to eat better for her health and it’s definitely paid off big time.

“About two to three years ago, I made a very, very big change the way I approach nutrition,” she told ABC News. “I think it made a big difference in how I look or at least how I’m perceived to look.”

She continued, “I lost like 20 pounds, it wasn’t my intention, that wasn’t why I made the change. I made the change because I was just tired all the time. For a long time, I just accepted that was the plight of a working, single mother. You’re juggling everyday…

“I grew up on fast food and candy every day,” she said. “Pizza and french fries and burgers — I love food and I’ve always loved food. Vegetables were not a part of my life at all…

“I’m just eating really, really clean healthy foods,” she said. “Obviously I knew there was an association between what I ate and whether I gained 10 pounds or lost 10 pounds, but it never really became a reality for me that it shows on the outside in your hair and skin and even the clarity of your eyes. I was just stubborn.”

Messing, who just filmed a new pilot “The Mysteries of Laura,” said she starts every morning with a green juice.

“[That includes] kale and spinach and celery and ginger and lemon and cucumber,” she said. “At least I know I’m starting my day and getting a big shot of nutrients that I need. I start out strong … For the pilot, I was shooting 15, 16, 17 hours everyday. I really depended on having that juice once or twice a day. It really gave me more energy. That made an obvious difference for me, in me feeling strong.”

Messing spoke to ABC as part of a collaboration with Zyrtec.

“Allergies have been a lifelong struggle for me,” she said. “I’m allergic to everything. I’m allergic to pollen, grass, mold, mildew and dust. You name it and I’m allergic to it…

“I know I’m going to be okay, whether I’m going out to Central Park with my 10-year-old son to play soccer in the middle of the pollen vortex, or doing a Broadway play in a 100-year-old theater covered in dust,” she added.

[From ABCNews]

If Messing is allergic to all that, she may have had some food intolerances that were contributing to how tired she was feeling. My mom cut bread and gluten out of her diet on her doctor’s suggestion and she lost weight and felt so much better overall. I know that going gluten free is trendy and that a lot of people do it unnecessarily, but it seems to have really helped her.

Personally, the only way I can lose weight is by cutting calories. I’ve been using the MyFitnessPal app and site (not a plug, it’s free!) and it’s been working well. I do end up eating more salads because they fill you up. I also try to do green smoothies a couple of times a week. (I got a refurbished Vitamix a few years ago and I love it.) But I can’t give up candy and snacks! I just count everything I eat. I’ll have like 3 mini Reese’s cups instead of 2 big ones.

Messing is also advocating for the AdoptAClassroom project as part of her work with Post-Its. It’s a great way to help teachers get supplies and services for their students.

November 2011:
Debra Messing

June 2013:
The 67th Annual Tony Awards

October 2013:
Gabrielle's Angel Foundation Hosts Angel Ball 2013

Photo credit: WENN.com

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115 Responses to “Debra Messing said she lost 20 lbs just by eating ‘clean’ and not dieting”

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  1. AmyLynne says:

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fitness pal app!! It’s so easy to use and you can keep track of what you eat as well as your exercise and modify just about anything from ingredients to calories burned. It’s really, really great. It was working for me until I broke my toe and fell off the diet/exercise wagon. I’m still trying to get on again, but I keep finding excuses. My cousin’s wedding in July is my motivator now!

    • ChristinaDee says:

      Seconded. I’ve dropped a fair bit of weight just by paying attention to my food. I still eat the same stuff, but even just paying attention makes you make some small changes that stack up.

    • DarbiBradley says:

      Me too! I absolutely love it, it’s so simple. I also still eat most of the same stuff, just less of it.

      I also like the exercise tracker part of it. Helps me choose what I’m going to do at the gym.

    • MCraw says:

      My fitness pal is awesome. I try to use it, but I’m usually exhausted after the work it takes eating clean and working out and I just forget lol. I’m trying to eat clean like Debra now for the last couple of months and I’m telling you, it takes TIIIIMMMMME to completely wean yourself off the junk food. I *just* found some quinoa thin cakes (like rice cakes) that are finally good enough to substitute my potato chip cravings. Water infused with fruits (like lemon and strawberries yum) has helped my too-sweet-juice cravings. I have a fruit smoothie followed by a green juice then oatmeal or cereal for breakfast and just try to cut white out of my diet. When I’m good, I feel thin even tho my same clothes fit (but somehow look better?) and am full of energy. It takes work, so I know where Debra is coming from, and like she says the benefits are amazing. Metamucil is my best friend through this diet transition, so I recommend that for anyone doing the same. Debra looks great, so this is motivation for me to continue 🙂

    • KateBush says:

      I also love my fitness pal great app and just as good as weight watchers paid one in my opinion.
      Can anybody fill me in a bit more on what eating clean means to them?
      I don’t eat much junk food but fall down over my one or two wines a night 🙂

      • CL says:

        For me, eating clean means avoiding processed foods (which is really hard with a kid in the house), eating more vegetables, drinking more water (opposed to coffee, caffeinated tea, fruit juice, alcohol – that one really hurts at times). I also tend to make more green smoothies and juices during my “clean eating” phases. I wish I could stick to it. I feel so much better and even my skin looks better.

  2. Kiddo says:

    Those vitamix blenders are expensive, where did you get a refurbished one? If I may be so bold, how much was it? I want one.

    • Celebitchy says:

      I got it on Vitamix, they have certified refurbished models, and it was over $300. It was pricey but I have used it a lot and I watch so much Food Network that I was convinced I needed it.

      • Kiddo says:

        Thanks!

      • Christo says:

        The Vitamix blenders are wonderful products. I purchased the Professional 750 model last summer and have never looked back. They are certainly a step up in price, but the awesome 7 year warranty make them well worth it. I use it for making peanut butter, mixing cake mix, fruit smoothies, green smoothies, salsa…you name it.

      • Get one, kiddo.

        Make me a kale shake and throw some mother*cking vodka in there, for crying out loud.

        …I wanna make sure I offset any potential health benefits I get from the kale….

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Thanks for the information. I have always wanted one, but could bring myself to spring for it. Had no idea you could get a refurbished one.

      • Jackson says:

        Just chiming in to say that I love my Vitamix! Anyone considering should look at the shorter/smaller jar part. I find that smaller size way more convenient to use. I do my protein shake in it everyday now. Love it!

    • BendyWindy says:

      I bought the Ninja blender that costs $250 and has the same wattage as a Vitamix. I got it at Bed Bath and Beyond with a 20% off coupon. It was money well spent. Maybe someday I’ll upgrade to a Vitamix, but for right now, at this price, I feel like I got a great deal. Think about it. 🙂

      • JessMa says:

        For $100 more get the the refurbished vitamix. My brother has that ninja and it does not compare to my vitamix. Everything comes out silky smooth in the vitamix, not the case with the ninja. The ninja is also cheaply made in China. The vitamix has such a sturdy construction. It is worth every penny.

    • atrain says:

      My dad gave me a nutribullet for xmas. Works similar to a Vitamix but only costs like $75. I absolutely love it and use it everyday. Toss a bunch of greens in the bottom, add some broccoli or cucumber, fill the rest of the way with fruit, add flax or hemp seed, and you’ve got a pretty great smoothie.

  3. Jaysus. She looks awesome. I can’t believe she’s 45.
    Not that 45 is old or anything but she would look awesome for 35.

    • j.eyre says:

      I am 45 and I certainly don’t look like that – she looks amazing.

      I love the AdoptAClassroom project – good for her

      • I’m 35 and I don’t look that good so there.

        Wanna do something mean to her? I have plenty of cat poop and some paper bags….

      • Ginger says:

        Just turned 45 yesterday 🙂 maybe there is something to this eating clean trend

      • j.eyre says:

        Happy belated, Ginger! You share a birthday with Shakespeare and my godmother – congratulations

        I think cat poop is the best way to wear our jealousy, OKitt. Or rather, for her to wear it.

      • mia girl says:

        Happy bday Ginger!

      • mia girl says:

        I’m 46 and I really need to work on looking better. Too much morning posting on Celebitchy and too little morning running.

        I need to find a balance.
        Maybe I can post WHILE I run. Hmmmm

    • littlemissnaughty says:

      I was just thinking the same thing. Not relating to her age but just in general. She looks fantastic. She looked great before, she looks great now. Love the last pic with the blue dress. Although that top knot she’s wearing with the black dress did her no favors. It’s such an unflattering style on so many people yet it seems to be everywhere. LOVE her hair.

  4. Luca26 says:

    Eating clean works it’s just hard to keep up because you have to eat small meals every 2.5 hours do you are just carrying food with you everywhere and almost eating too much.

    • RN says:

      No, you really don’t have to eat that frequently. In fact, I recommend to my clients that they eat three meals and one snack. It’s too stressful on the pancreas to eat every two to three hours. People have historically done well without eating all the time, and, of course, we never saw the levels of obesity that we see today.

      • FLORC says:

        Historically we’ve never been ingesting so high amounts of unnatural substances either. Our bodies can’t handle that type of strain.

        I eat like a bird all day long. Especially at night. I can’t sleep on an empty stomach. For the majority I think a balanced diet, with water and exercise is the best route. If that means you eat all day long is that so bad? Knowing the food being eaten isn’t unhealthy or excessive, of course.

      • I’m a grazer too, FLORC.

      • Luca26 says:

        Thanks for the advice I was really struggling with eating that much and found I only ate 4 meals at most.

      • Rice says:

        @FLORC – I have friends who have the same food habits. I dunno. For some reason, I’ve never been able to eat outside of my 3 square meals (sometimes 2). What I have done is reduced my salt and sugar (which wasn’t hard to do because my sweet tooth is non-existant). I’m also eating foods with healthy fats (is there really such a thing) and began exercising. I’ve lost 25-30lbs in a little over 1 year. For the record, I don’t think that eating all day long is bad as long as you make healthy choices.

      • O'Angie says:

        I think the difference might be based on whether or not people are grazing on high carb/sugar foods or protein/fat foods. The sugar cycle is vicious once started. Just an observation.

      • Isadora says:

        But grazing on protein/fat foods exclusively is a strain for the liver… so nothing’s perfect. I think a good meal has all three macronutrients – so why should a good snack have less (just a smaller amount).

    • Bridget says:

      There’s no rule about how you have to consume your foods, though its just a good rule of thumb to have a snack so that you don’t get hungry and have your blood sugar crash, because that’s when your body craves white refined sugars (which are the easiest to digest). Keep yourself from getting too hungry and you’ll avoid the crash.

      • Cecilia says:

        I have 2 good meals a day — no snacks or soda. I hate soda. I drink distilled water, all day & a couple of glasses of wine at night. I weigh exactly what I weighed 25 years ago. My best advice is “Know thyself & act accordingly.”

    • atrain says:

      Shouldn’t you just eat when you get hungry? I’ve tried the 2.5 hour small meals, but I felt like it was too much, and I felt sluggish. Eating clean when I feel hungry (roughly every four hours) works a lot better for my body.

  5. BooBooLaRue says:

    Lovely as always. I stopped eating bread, wheat, gluten and lost 20 lbs with no effort and the tummy bulge! And I’m over 50 and have had hypothyroidism for 10 years! So it can happen.

  6. aims says:

    I remember how thin she was on Will and Grace, it was to much. My bestie went gluten free and she said the results were immediate. Maybe there’s something to it.

    • Bridget says:

      It’s called “not eating a ton of refined carbs”. Going gluten free is most definitely a fad – by far the bulk of people doing it have no medical reason to do so, but since it cuts out a lot of traditionally starchy and refined products like white bread, and the gluten free products themselves are so expensive, the result is much fewer starch in the diet and therefore fewer empty calories (and the other physiological stuff that goes with basically filling yourself with sugar all day).

      • Macey says:

        This^^^

        Im actually getting annoyed with the glutton free fad. I know some do truly have an allergy to it but it’s very small percentage. Thats not to say that eating clean isnt sound advice b/c it is but all these ppl going on about this is as bad as all the other fads that have come and gone over the years.

      • Sandra says:

        I totally agree. If you cut out white food, surprise! You are now almost gluten free, without buying expensive replacements. Giving up bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes sounds almost impossible when they are a diet staple, but once you see the benefits, you will only have them now and then, and it’s not hard at all. For the most part, it means giving up one of your side dishes at dinner time.

      • Bridget says:

        @Macey, I will point out that eating clean and going gluten free are two different things. Everyone should eat clean, because it just means to eat real food! Though it makes me sad that it takes a diet movement to remind people that.

        @sandra- just eat the whole grain version, and in moderation. And don’t forget to eat the skin of the potato.

      • FLORC says:

        Sandra
        “If it’s white, don’t bite (exceptions:cauliflower,turnips,beans,onion,etc)”.

        Side thought. Instead of pasta or rice I love spaghetti squash. Highly recommend it.

        Last thought. Didn’t Debra circa Grace look very thin? I remember hearing she had to gain weight or her pregnancy would be at risk so she eat boxes and boxes of Krispy Kreams(Kreems?)

      • Macey says:

        @ Bridget

        Im aware they are two different things, I didnt word my post properly I guess(its early). DM was talking about eating clean and the poster I responded to was talking about the gluten free fad. Point is, this fad will probably last another yr or two and then they’ll be another new kind of fad and everyone will be jumping on that band wagon. Just like the Atkins fad, Acai berry fad, the detox diet fad, the cleansing diet fad, etc.

      • sienna says:

        It might be a fad, but have you read the ingredients on a loaf of bread lately? It’s indesipherable and gross. Giving up all gluten may seem a bit extreme, but no wonder everyone feels better when they stop eating toxic over processed non-foods.

      • Jackson says:

        @Bridget:
        Exactly! If you go GF but add in the same refined products you were eating before but that are GF, you aren’t going to lose weight and will probably gain it. Many, many GF products have extra added sugar and fat, above and beyond what a similar wheat/gluten product has in it. So much easier, and healthier, to just eliminate the crap stuff altogether whether it be gluten-filled or gluten-free.

      • Bridget says:

        @Macey – thanks for the clarification!

      • atrain says:

        I would add that you can’t just switch out regular foods for their gluten-free counterparts, because they typically have more sugar or fat. I’ve had a few friends that have jumped on the gluten-free bandwagon and have gained weight. They’re still consuming the same amount of bread and pasta, just eating the gluten-free packaged crap.

      • Isadora says:

        Thanks, Bridget! Gluten-free is really a fad.. And not only for losing weight, people say that they were – of course – gluten intolerant because they aren’t as bloated/tired after meals/have cravings as much as before. But I mean, if you eat cake, white pasta, oreo cookies and whatnot every day, of course you are bloated (this isn’t exactly good for your gut flora) and are tired/have cravings (because your blood sugar levels are on a rollercoaster ride). And they say that they get problems when they reintroduce gluten – which is also not that surprising because if you avoid something for a rather long time (maybe even years) and then bombard the body again with it, you probably react. Long-term vegetarians sometimes react even to meat (although meat causes hardly ever any intolerance/allergy problems) with a bit of stomach ache, because they are not used to it.

    • Kiddo says:

      Will & Grace is a great show. I watch re-runs when I can. Although Jack and Karen were the best thing about it.

  7. bettyrose says:

    I lost about that from just going whole foods vegan. I.e. no packaged foods. But I’m not as naturally slender as she is and when I add wine to the mix the weight starts creeping back up. Eating an all natural diet is a lot more fun with wine.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      Everything is more fun with wine. I count it as a fruit.

      • Tig says:

        So 6 glasses serves as your daily fruit allotment? I like the way you think-LOL!!

      • Isadora says:

        People who drink 1-2 glasses wine a day actually have less risk for Alzheimer’s. So you can also remember the fun when you are older.

    • Mean Hannah says:

      She is not naturally thin, though. I remember her from her theater days before TV fame and she went down at least 4 sizes for Hollywood.

  8. kimber says:

    You lose tons of wait by cutting out process foods and soda (diet or not) really easy to do. Good for her for changing her eating habits for the better!

  9. raindrop says:

    I believe it. I had to quit eating most bread products due to an iron overload disorder (most flour is iron-fortified), and I dropped about five pounds in two weeks, with no other notable dietary changes. Granted, I also had to quit drinking (though I wasn’t a heavy drinker to begin with), and I’m sure that helped.

    Gluten-free IS trendy, and hardly necessary for most people, but it can work for people who aren’t allergic as long as they maintain a healthy diet – simply because when you cut out gluten, you cut out a lot of refined and processed foods by default.

    • BooBooLaRue says:

      Yup you got it! It does cut out a lot of the refined and processed junk.

    • bobbisue says:

      Hemachromatosis? I gave up alcohol too and I don’t really desire bread but didn’t realize it was iron-fortified.

  10. GiGi says:

    Yup. I recently had to do a diet “reset” due to some health issues and lost 10 pounds the first week… it was crazy. I don’t think she ever looked heavy, though!

  11. Angie says:

    I must eat dirty !!! LOL

  12. Esmom says:

    If her diet was as bad as she said it was then I believe she lost weight by swapping in the healthy stuff. The green juice she describes sounds amazing, I’d love to have one every day but at $7.99 a pop at my Whole Foods I just can’t justify it. Instead it’s an occasional treat and I swear it always gives me a lift.

  13. Bridget says:

    A true gluten intolerance is rare, and your mom most likely feels better because she’s not eating a bunch of empty starches, Kaiser. If she really needed to cut out gluten she’d know it, because it involves some extremely nasty stomach issues. Celiac runs in my family, and even having food accidentally cross contaminated by being cut on the same cutting board that was just used to cut bread will leave someone in misery for days.

    And seriously, eat real food folks. We put so much processed crap into our bodies and then wonder why we don’t feel good and don’t look good. Eat food as close to its natural state as possible – lots of fruits of veggies, whole grains, and steer away from anything low fat or no fat.

    • FLORC says:

      A friend of mine has crohns/colitis. He has to go gluten free is a big way. Having him to dinner meant we’d clean the work area and tools. Prepare his meal and then prepare ours. Never ours 1st or risk contaminating his meal.

      When he went gluten free he lost too much weight. Once he figured out how to eat he put it back on and then some. A totally gluten free diet can be easily higher in calories than a normal diet. The brown rice bread was not low cal.

      • Bridget says:

        Totally non-medial opinion here, but that sounds like Celiac. In fact my grandmother was originally diagnosed with Colitis, and it was only after they discovered a family history of Celiac that we realized what it was. Granted, without a stomach lining biopsy it can be difficult to diagnose.

  14. lucy2 says:

    She looks fantastic, and much younger than she is.
    She got so thin during the course of Will & Grace, I have a hard time believing she was eating all that stuff she said she was, but it sounds like she’s doing well now.

    I love that MyFitnessPal app – when I stick to it, I get results, and it’s very easy to use. I need to get back to it, I was doing well, slacked off, and undid my progress.

  15. minime says:

    20 lbs sounds like a lot but I totally believe her. I managed to keep my weight 4-6 lbs under my average just by substituting bread for yogurt and berries at breakfast, and being just a bit more careful with balancing carbohydrate intake and regular vegetable/fruit intake. I think that consistent healthy eating is incredible helpful to feel healthier and loose weight…extreme dieting is in my opinion very unnecessary and even more importantly, very unhealthy.

    About Zyrtec, I can only agree. I’m not a fan of taking usual medication, but I have allergic rhinitis and it can be a pain in the ass throughout the all year! Only thing that helps is to use an anti-inflammatory nasal spray practically everyday and Zyrtec (or the generic correspondent) for the worse times of the year, before going to sleep. I would be bumping my head on the wall if it wasn’t for that.

  16. HappyMom says:

    You absolutely can lose weight from eating clean. And like she says-it really shows up in your skin and your eyes. However, I do seem to remember a Lainey Blind-anyone else? It had to do with how she maintained her weight during Will & Grace-and it sure wasn’t from healthy eating.

    • Bridget says:

      She’s been the subject of a lot of blinds from several different sources.

    • Esmom says:

      I would be lying if I said the same thought hadn’t crossed my mind.

    • QQ says:

      happy, I just said the same thing Down thread, and Lainey doesn’t eff around with that

    • Pandy says:

      I don’t know about the blind but eating clean is good for you. I’ve been following clean eating for a few months now. I eat sprouted bread (a slice per day mostly) and whole wheay pasta maybe once a week. Wraps and things too but I try not to eat the carbs at night. I am losing slowly, down 13 lbs so far. My energy is good and my skin etc is but I chalk that up to not eating meat. I have to say that adding in extra snacks has finally kept me from overeating at every meal. At 52, I am finally able to feel full during a meal rather than stuffing in two plates of food because I was not getting full cues (and of course wanting to explode later). I’m a convert.

    • SG says:

      That was my first thought too. I’m glad other people remember that, and she’s not completely getting away with the “I eat clean” bs.

  17. Ginger says:

    I’m allergic to all the things she’s mentioned but I don’t have any food intolerance that I am aware of. I only use an allergy nasal spray every day. It’s made a huge difference in the amount of sinus headaches I get.

  18. QQ says:

    Lainey has blind riddled and not so hinty Said exactly how is it that she lost the weight after her kid and has shaded her SEVERAL times on this and reasons behind her divorce so Im Realllllyyy not gonna sit here and believe the “i just cut out bread” party line (though it is quite feasible)

  19. Caroline says:

    I just turned 46 and was at my heaviest I’d ever been at the end of last year. I loathe “diets” but I decided to cut out my morning Special K (hello sugar!) and replace w Weight Control oatmeal (Quaker Oats) that has 160 cals, 1 g sugar (I use fat free milk so that prolly adds another 80 cals) — add in fresh blueberries and strawberries and you’re def full til lunch.

    Lunches can still be a lean cuisine but more often it’s a couple of hard-boiled eggs or tuna or a small amount of (gasp) pasta and pesto sauce (just a smidge!) w fresh tomatoes. But the real key is NO SNACKING, esp things like chips or cookies. But like Celebitchy, don’t deny yourself some treats — mine are the dark chocolate seasalt caramels. But just one. And dinners can be just smaller portions of the things you love or 6 oz salmon that takes like 20 mins in the oven. I was afraid to start counting cals but it really is the only way to stay on track.

    Oh, and get this: you might actually be hungry parts of the day. AND THAT IS OK!! You will live!

    I’m down 14 of the 20 lbs I want to lose and feel great 🙂

  20. Tig says:

    I will also do a shout out to Zyrtec! So glad it’s available OTC- a bit pricey but it works like a charm!

    • H26 says:

      Costco sells the 365 brand of it and you get 365 pills for $15 or maybe less than that, way cheaper than anywhere else I’ve seen. 🙂

  21. Lindy says:

    She looks gorgeous–whatever she’s doing seems to be working. And she looks healthy-lean, not smoke-and-eat-nothing lean.

    I have to admit, I did a bunch of reading and have cut out pretty much all carbohydrates–certainly all processed/refined ones. Like, below 50g of carbs a day. I did it not to lose weight (I don’t have much to lose, maybe 5-7 lbs) but because I am prone to UTIs. If I travel, get even slightly dehydrated, chlorine, practically any reason, And my OB and her NP suggested getting rid of any and all sugars, because that starves the bacteria (TMI, sorry, so gross). I was willing to do just about anything to get off the antibiotic merry go round, so even though I love bread and pasta and legumes, I decided to give this a shot.

    I have been doing it for about 5 weeks–I use MFP, too and love it! So easy to track!–and I actually feel a ton better. And my hair has gotten thicker and less brittle, my skin has cleared up (I was having terrible breakouts), my energy levels are better, my running is better… I am kind of sold. I am not sure I will ever really go back to eating carbs, other than the very very very occasional treat here and there. Like, at most once a month or less. I am not even craving them. I kind of think this is going to be a permanent thing… I know, famous last words! And it’s a work in progress 🙂

    I haven’t lost any weight, by the way. But I’m already pretty petite. Anyhow….
    Sorry for this treatise. I just have been so lazy about clean eating for a long time. It really does help with so many things. I’m glad for Messing — I always liked her and it seems like she has had kind of a career slump and some personal stuff.

  22. Delta Juliet says:

    I’m allergic to all those things too. I take Zytec daily, year-round.

  23. AG-UK says:

    My friend eats clean and advises me to see if I can juice a day or 2 but like someone said it’s exp. £4 a drink and I cannot afford that £12 a day. I am considering a juicer as well for myself and my son but I do the 5:2 and it works for me and hopefully will make me live longer too.

    • Bridget says:

      Juicing can be an expensive fad! If you’re already eating well and feel good, then don’t worry about it – especially since juicing isn’t the amazing cure-all that people say it is. It can be incredibly high in sugar (since you’re getting the fructose out of multiple pieces of fruit) and you get none of the fiber from the fruits and veggies that makes you feel full. So don’t feel like you’re missing out on something if that’s not what you want to do.

      And for the people that love juicing: that’s awesome that you found something that works for you! I’m just pointing out that its not a necessity.

      • AG-UK says:

        Great thanks. I did a juice detox with raw food for a week £350 and it was good but I am not sure if I felt amazing.. I will keep doing what I am doing.

      • Lyla says:

        Bridget, maybe juicing is fad to you.

        It has helped many people, especially organic green veggie juicing, there are many studies on this subject, here in Switzerland.

        Please do not put things down, just you may not benefited from it.

        Being open minded is great plus.

  24. Umila says:

    She looks so amazing! For a little bit there, particularly when I was watching her on Smash, she was looking a little less than glamorous. This ‘clean diet’ of hers seems to have really brightened up her appearance and I bet she feels fantastic!

    On a side note, I see nothing wrong with going gluten free if it makes some feel better. I had to, because I was diagnosed with celiac disease at age nineteen. I don’t know how things can have such a late onset (I’m 27 now). My small intestine was scarred and it resulted in me going from 118 lbs. at 5’6” to 86. I have never felt so crappy in my life and it was a big adjustment. It took forever before someone sat down and thought about doing a biopsy. However, going gluten free helped me put on weight. My body is getting nutrients and I feel great. It doesn’t annoy me how people want to eat unless I have to hear someone say “I’m just soooooooo skinny and it’s soooooo awesome that I can eat whatevs” or “I’m soooo tired of bird thin actresses today” (Yes, JLaw, I’m talking to you. I love you, but you’re also kind of tiny).

  25. Mimi says:

    Eating clean is the BEST way to lose weight. At least for me. I can’t live off of kale shakes. I just can’t. My metabolism won’t allow it. I eat lots of chicken, turkey burgers, and veggies. Not the most tasty stuff, but it works for me. I also drink a lot of water. Soda is out. Seriously, don’t drink that s*%t.

  26. Maryjones says:

    Debra lost weight with the cocaine diet not healthy eating.

  27. Jayna says:

    She’s tall and I believe the 20 pounds. I remember when she was heavier and she wasn’t as pretty. Some people gain weight and it changes their face. She just wasn’t as pretty Her features were off. Her body handled the weight gain since she’s taller. I had a friend like that that always slender and very pretty, petite, and gained about 25 pounds. The way the weight distributed on her face I couldn’t believe it was the same person. Other women can gain lots of weight and their faces still look beautiful and no different, just a little fuller.

    We have awful allergies down here in Florida due to pollen, etc, and I have friends who swear by Zyrtec, call it a miracle to help them get through the allergy seasons. I get massive sinus headaches from it, but not the hay fever type symptoms like my brother, sneezing all the time, throat so scratchy that he loses it after a while.

  28. Pumpkin Pie says:

    She looks more than gorgeous in that bottom pic, wowza.

  29. OTHER RENEE says:

    I lost 15 lbs with that My Fitness Pal app as well.

  30. Bridget says:

    Side note: it amazes me how people will do anything BUT eat sensibly amd balanced. Gluten free? Sure! Only juice? Great! Only orange food? Only meats and protein? Sounds great! But eat lots of fruits and veggies, while getting a good balance of protein and whole grains? Nah.

    People are so weird.

    • Barcelona says:

      Hi Bridget,

      Not everybody can eat grains, i used to eat only organic food, including organic whole grains.

      When I stopped eating organic whole grains my acne disappeared, so did my bloating.

      When will people understand that we are all different and what works for one, may not work for another.

      Gluten free may be a fad for some people, but for me it worked.

    • Bianca says:

      No need to be amazed Bridget, we are all different, some people are more sensitive or even allergic than others. Be grateful that you don’t have to avoid grains, some of us are not so lucky.

    • Pantheon says:

      Oh, Bridget. I love, love, love and REALLY LOVE grains, but I get so incredibly bloated like someone who is about 24 months pregnant. So, please consider that just, because you have no issues with grains doesn’t mean everybody is that lucky. I’m not trying to loose weight, just feel good about myself.

    • snowflake says:

      I agree. It’s amazing the fad diets and juicing, etc, etc, people will do b/c they’re too lazy to diet and exercise. i’ve been too lazy, but we all know what works. fad diets dont

    • O'Angie says:

      A lot of people have issues with grains, and whole grains are actually worse for them since they contain more of the offending substance. Plus, people forget that grains are also sugar. So people who pile on the whole grains and fruit thinking they are being healthy will not lose weight unless they seriously calorie restrict, and that’s just no fun.

  31. Aysla says:

    I believe it. I had several weddings and a trip abroad last summer that I wanted to get in shape and lose weight for, so I stuck to clean eating and some zumba/blogilates workouts. I started off at 124 and lost 6 pounds in a month (I did a dietbet for that extra motivaton), for a total of 10 pounds in a month and a half. I stayed at that weight through a summer of wedding cakes, food tastings, wine tastings, trying every street food I came across in China, and so on. I made sure to drink half of my weight in ounces of water every day, which was also essential. Unfortunately, I had a downswing in my mental health this past winter (severe depression, anxiety) and unhealthy holiday eating that saw me gain weight again. Now that I finally feel stable, I am getting back on track with healthy habits.

    CB’s post got me thinking; I had to take something stronger than zyrtec so I went to an allergist recently and got tested… only to find out I’m allergic to everything. Now I question whether I might possibly have other food allergies I’m unaware of as well (lactose intolerant). In any case, I’ve started taking weekly shots (two; one for outdoor and the other for indoor allergens). My allergist says it can take anywhere from 3-5 years to finish the treatment, although a readout they later gave me quotes 5-10 years. Has anyone else had or completed immunotherapy? Did it genuinely help?

    • Macey says:

      what is blogilates?

      never heard that one before

      • Aysla says:

        It’s a channel on youtube, it’s a combination of yoga and pilates (and some cardio, depending on the videos you do). She’s the real deal, I lost weight and firmed up doing her videos. You should try the call me maybe squat challenge as an introduction, the first few times I did it I could barely make it through. It’s really great for the legs and butt!

  32. Bailie says:

    Good for her, I hope that more people will become less judgmental about healthy eating, like dairy free and gluten free diets.

    I don’t understand why people get so angry about healthy food, I don’t understand why one must diagnosed with illness or told by a doctor to get approval from people. I wish there would be more support for those of us that want to feel great by eating healthy.

    After suffering with acne, I decided to make significant changes in my lifestyle.

    I eat only organic food now, organic veggies, organic fruits, wild fish, organic sprouted quinoa, organic buckwheat, organic virgin coconut oil, organic flax oil, organic raw nuts and seeds and organic unsweetened coconut milk.

    I also only use organic products in my bathroom from shampoo to cleaning products.

    I took my grandma’s advise and started using certified organic rose hip oil by a wonderful Australian company KOSMEA that significantly improved my skin texture after years of acne.

    And without LASER, amazing.

  33. Aline says:

    Wow she looks super hot in the blue dress! The difference between June and October is astounding… Although the unflattering hair and dress probably added some pounds

  34. Lyla says:

    She looks much better without the extra 20 pounds she used to have on her body.
    I used to eat foods with gluten and dairy sometimes, but i had to stop, because I developed skin problems. My doctor told me that although I had no food allergies, my body was sensitive to gluten and dairy. I haven’t eaten any in 6 years and I have no skin problems anymore. I don’t care, if people think that I’m on a fad diet or not, it worked for me and that’s what matters.
    I would never tell anybody what to eat or how to live, it’s their health, their body and also their choice. I never drink alcohol, smoke, drink coffee or eat / drink sweet stuff, i only eat organic veggies, fruit, wild fish, raw organic seeds and nuts. I’m healthy, happy with lot more energy and great skin at age 31 and I didn’t have that at age 21.

  35. Carolyn says:

    Cosign with everyone noting that weight is lost when processed foods are either cut down or almost eliminated.

    Food mfg have a lot to answer for…none of us know what the hell is in a lot of food.

    Agreeing with all others making the point..to lose a lot of weight by changing the food you eat..will have more impact when you’re eating either far too much/wrong foods to start with.

    Eating clean is logical. It’s not rocket science. People don’t need diet pills, pre-packaged food, dubious “health/protein/meal replacement bars/shakes”.

  36. sassy says:

    so no one is commenting on HER WIDE AWAKE look in the pic……..hello COKE MOM……

  37. John says:

    She looks fantastic, glowing and healthy.

  38. Isadora says:

    A sidenote to everyone who likes to see what they eat: I discovered cron-o-meter quite a while ago (and the web version is free) and it’s really great for me because I’m not so much concerned with calorie intake (I’m roughly the same size since I was 20), although it counts of course also those, but I wanted to know if my diet lacks any nutrients. And cronometer really lists EVERY nutrient, every single amino acid, ever vitamin, every mineral, fats, even stuff like choline. It was especially helpful for me during my vegan months (because if you restrict something – be it gluten, animal products or whatnot – I’d never fly “blind”).

  39. koko says:

    Coke mom.

  40. Mrs. Darcy says:

    Hmm. While I am sure that clean eating does make you lose weight, not 100% convinced that a woman in her mid 40’s, who was carrying around that “extra” weight since her pregnancy over a decade ago in Will & Grace, could drop it with a simple diet change. 10lbs, maybe, 20 requires a bit more blood, sweat and tears. I’m pushing 40 and finding it near impossible to lose weight without serious exercise (I walk a lot and do pilates, but my knees are shot from over-exercising the past few yrs). I used to be able to drop weight with diet alone, no longer. Maybe I should try the clean eating, it is just a pain when you are married to have to deal with two different diets.

    Just a sidenote CB, food intolerance really doesn’t go hand in hand with environmental allergies, I test positive for most pollens, tress, etc, but my only food intolerance is a mild lactose one. This is going by doctor’s tests, I am seriously dubious about the ones you get from the health food store. Has anyone ever gotten one back that said they weren’t allergic to lots of things?

    • Isadora says:

      Yes, the health food store tests are a scam imho. If you have lactose intolerance and still eat dairy products this could explain why you have a hard time losing weight (because your body is busy with the irritant that is dairy). On the other hand a lot of people have intolerance, esp. mild ones, because their gut flora is damaged. I have a friend who was diagnosed (in a laboratory) with lactose and fructose intolerances and while the first one persisted the second one did go away with clean eating and probiotics (again tested in the same laboratory).

      I always wondered why people struggle so much to lose weight when the get older. I’m not trying to throw shade at anyone, I’m seriously curious. Everybody talks about how the metabolism changes, but why? Is it hormones like estrogen or progesterone? Or thyroid hormones? I guess a lot of women have undiscovered thyroid issues (it’s usually not covered by normal blood tests), esp. if they have a history with hormonal contraceptives. The pill can disrupt these things and once the thyroid makes problems it can be VERY hard to lose weight.