Marilu Henner - Once Fat, Now Fit

by Fitz K. (Subscribe to Fitz K.'s posts)
Apr 24th 2009 12:00PM

Categories: Celebrity Fitzness Report, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements

Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Our fitness expert Fitz sits down with the stars and digs out their great and not-so-great methods for staying healthy.

Marilu Henner has made the transition from hard partying "Taxi" actor to bestselling author of health and wellness books. The busy Hollywood star, who still finds time to grace the small and large screens (she guest starred on NBC's recent "ER" finale and spent time on "Celebrity Apprentice" last year), divulges what she loves most about herself and talks about her progression from fat to fit -- she shed 54 pounds and has kept it off for 21 years.

Fitz: You've gone from actress to passionate health advocate. Tell me about this evolution.

Marilu: I used to be a terrible Chicago-style eater. I had a diet heavy in all sorts of meat, and I would starve all day to eat half a gallon of ice cream at night. I smoked, I was fat, constipated and had pimples too.

Fitz: That lifestyle is typical of so many people. How did you manage to look like such a hottie on "Taxi."

Marilu: I knew exactly how to work the system. I could lose 20 pounds quickly without even thinking about it. It was crazy, though. When I got my first job, I was told to lose weight. Instead, I gained a bunch.

Fitz: Would your career have been different if you knew then what you know now?

Marilu: If I were legitimately healthy and fit back then, I'm confident I would have had a great variety of better jobs. Fitness provides confidence, and I could have used that.

Fitz: You're now well known for your books, including the newly-released "Wear Your Life Well," and seminars on healthy living, but you don't have a traditional education in health and fitness. How did that happen?

Marilu: My parents died in their 50s and that was just a huge reality check for me. I decided to take control of my health and my life. I vigorously pursued knowledge on the subject and was compelled to share what I learned.

Fitz: What advice do you have for the average Jane or Joe just trying to become more fit?

Marilu: Where you want to be and where you are may not be so far apart.

A few of the topics covered in "Wear Your Life Well" are:

Set up your environment to win.
Identify, "detrigger" and get over self-sabotage.
Love the foods that love you.
Be able to go for the light instead of the dark in any situation.
Get in sync with your sexual you.

Fitz: You clearly have learned to take great care of yourself. What are your top five favorite things about you, physically speaking?

Marilu: My legs (even when I weighed 174, I still rocked my legs). I'd just put on a short skirt, super high heels and go), my eyes, my hair, my gusto and my cheekbones -- I love my jawline and facial structure. I play the role of a dead person perfectly!

Marilu Henner

HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 10: Actresses Kelly Felthous and Marilu Henner pose backstage at the opening night of "Grease" at The Pantages Theater on March 10, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kelly Felthouse;Marilu Fisher

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HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 10: Singer Taylor Hicks and actress Marilu Henner pose backstage at the opening night of "Grease" at The Pantages Theater on March 10, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Taylor Hicks;Marilu Henner

Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 10: Actress Marilu Henner arrives for the opening night of "Grease" at The Pantages Theater on March 10, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marilu Henner

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HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 10: Co-author of "Grease" Jim Jacobs and actress Marilu Henner arrives for the opening night of "Grease" at The Pantages Theater on March 10, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jim Jacobs;Marilu Henner

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BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Actress Marilu Henner arrives at the premiere of Lifetime's original film "America" held at the Paley Center for Media on February 24, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marilu Henner

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Comments (30)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

UH2L 4-24-2009 @ 1:35PM

Part of the reason she looks so great and young is because she has gone mostly vegetarian.

Hailey 4-25-2009 @ 2:56PM

It's all about eating right and working out..that's why I just got into cooking.. I know exactly what I am putting in my food...But i didn't know what to make or how to make it..then my gf bought me this hilarious beginners cookbook.. it really has some great starter recipes and food I never thought I could make myself.. check out the free recipes on the site... youll see.. plus.. i get the added bonus of my gf telling me to "get in the kitchen, Bit@H!".. have to say that's pretty hot...lol

kewpie3 4-24-2009 @ 9:18PM

I want what Marilu's got! She looks fabulous and she's full of energy. I'm ready to try those "foods that love me" because I'm ready for a change. Talk about inspiration!

MariaBella 4-25-2009 @ 5:42AM

Money is all it takes to have what shes got.Plastic surgery is expensive!

pphleabis 4-24-2009 @ 9:15PM

Marilu looks GREAT! Good for her. I think it's healthy for her to share her struggles with other women. Too many women battle eating disorders in secrecy and are ashamed to admit there is a problem. Maybe her story will help others.

Mandi 4-24-2009 @ 9:22PM

There wasn't anything at all wrong with Marilu before either.

Jillian 4-26-2009 @ 11:20AM

WHATE DID SHE DO TO LOSE WEIGHT??? DOES ANYBODY OUT THERE KNOW? COME OOONN...

Kimberly 4-25-2009 @ 12:06AM

She was prettier with more weight on, and 174 was not fat. She's a bad influence. And She's too skinny

Jeffrey Corklin 4-25-2009 @ 10:23AM

She was not prettier with more weight, and 174 IS fat for most women unless you're 5'10" or taller. My wife is 5' 9" and was weighing 160 for a while. She has since lost around 25 lbs and redily admits that at 160, she was fat. Most people who like to cut others down, and say they are a "bad" influence, are people who are fat themselves, and don't have the self disipline, or are just too lazy to lose weight themselves. So, they try to convince themselves, and others that they love their bodies just the way they are. But, I'll bet if there was a magic pill you could take, and it would help you weigh whatever you wanted, they take it in a second.

mb 4-24-2009 @ 9:45PM

Marilu looks amazing and has incredible energy and a vibrant attitude. She just radiates a healthy lifestyle and outlook !

Melange 4-24-2009 @ 10:10PM

Sorry, I think she looks scrawny - like most of the hollywood actresses she has gone too far with her weight loss .

Jamie 4-24-2009 @ 10:23PM

I can't stand her. She is such a know it all and obnoxious to boot. Did you read how she went on and on about what she loves about herself? I bet it's longer than Santa's scroll...jesus. Every time I see her on TV I change the channel. The main reason I think she's a NUT is b/c her husband had bladder cancer ( Stage 1..very high cure rate ) and she was on a show going on and on how her "healthy cooking" and her "healthy" blah blah blah CURED her Husband. She is sickening. My Dad has Stage 4 Bladder cancer and half the things she was claiming you "HAVE to do" were common sense crap. I am in excellent shape and an RN, I don't need this narcisscist to be my "health advocate." SHUTUP already!

Bopco 4-25-2009 @ 12:14AM

But she does have sexy legs and really hot bare feet!!!

Renae 4-25-2009 @ 11:42AM

You are entitled to your opinion, but you have insulted her and me with your unkind remarks. Everything Marilu has done is honest and helpful and she has helped me and provided a wonderful program for many others to be healthy and full of life again. Her programs are great!!! She doesn't have any malise in her intentions and if you can't stand her enthusiasm, it's probably because you are jealous and haven't succeeded because of yourself. You are the one that needs to be quiet!!! She is my hero and guide and I certainly appreciate her very much.

prof126 4-24-2009 @ 10:32PM

I WOULD HAVE BANGED HER EVEN WHEN SHE WAS A FAT PIG

welkin 4-24-2009 @ 10:55PM

I have always found her a bit hyper and irritating.

barb 4-25-2009 @ 9:51PM

It's great that she had focus and changed her living habits to get healthy. I applaud her for that. All the stuff she wants to share with others about what she learned however could easily be shared without writing a book to make money off of. Maybe I would do the same thing....use my celebrity to take advantage of the opportunity to make money off of wisdom lots of other people know but would never be able to sells books because they are nobodies...I don't know...I am the kind of person who shares my learning experiences freely so I don't know what I'd do if I could make money off it.

PayTheDevil 4-25-2009 @ 2:10AM

I was at "Grease" that night and she sat 2 seats over from me. SHE LOOKS AMAZING. The photo flash is too harsh. She looks much younger in person and her skin kinda glowed. She is very attractive and she does look like the picture of health. I think you could bounce a quarter off the back of her calves.

ginacostazano 4-25-2009 @ 4:28AM

I BET ALOTTA THAT WAS LYPO SUCTION , TUMMY TUCKS AN THE WHOLE 9 YARDS .

Renae 4-25-2009 @ 11:43AM

She hasn't had lyposuction or any plastic surgery. If you know anything about her past, by reading her books, or getting to know her, you would know that she would never ever do anything like that. I will defend her to the hilt! She is a great role model and leader in correct nutrition and digestion, which brings about a healthy way of living! It takes hard work and Marilu definitely has worked hard at keeping her weight at a healthy level for the past 20+ years.

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