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Celebrity Diet Tips From Michael George
Posted on Dec 2nd 2009 12:58PM by Myatt MurphyBy Myatt Murphy
When Hollywood's biggest names want to get in shape, they turn to fitness expert Michael George. Here, the sought-after trainer reveals the top tips he gives his star clients to help them slim down and stay lean for the big screen.
Celebrity Diet Tips - Michael George
Tips From a Star Trainer
By Myatt Murphy
When Hollywood's biggest names want to get in shape, they turn to fitness expert Michael George. Here, the sought-after trainer reveals the top tips he gives his star clients to help them slim down and stay lean for the big screen.
The Rainbow Method
Prior to working with George, Reese Witherspoon's eating habits were generally healthy but lacking in fruits and vegetables, which are loaded with water and filling fiber. George suggested Witherspoon start eating one or two servings of fruits and veggies from each of six color groups: green, red, blue, purple, yellow and orange. Since each color is packed with certain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, the combo ensures getting every nutrient needed.
Increase the Cardio
In between filming 'Spider-Man' movies, Tobey Maguire put on a few pounds and looked to George for help before shooting the third installment. His assessment? Too much strength training in his fitness plan and not enough of a cardio component: George recommended starting with a bare minimum of 20 minutes of cardio three times a week and working up to 30 to 45 minutes of moderately intense cycling, running and stair climbing five days a week. After just a few weeks on this regime, Maguire's weight came off and he felt energized for his first day of filming.
Mini Meals
Before teaming up with George, Julianne Moore tended to eat large meals. The problem with that? Filling up on heavy meals raises your blood sugar, which causes your body to release insulin and store any excess calories as fat. His advice to Moore: Cut your meals by 30 percent, then make up for those missing calories with between-meal snacks. Eating more frequently keeps her feeling full, her metabolism stoked, her energy high and her blood sugar levels steady.
Rethink Carbs
Meg Ryan has always been a healthy eater, but changing when she ate her carbs is what helped her weight become a non-issue. Rather than ban all high-glycemic carbs (ones that are high in sugar), George suggested she eat moderate- to high-glycemic carbohydrates earlier in the day (either during breakfast, a mid-morning snack or lunch), then taper off her carbohydrate intake so that her last few meals of the night were made up of mostly protein, healthy fats and some type of low-glycemic carbohydrates (like a serving of broccoli, green beans, spinach).
Drink Makeover
Elizabeth Berkley used to regularly down high-calorie sodas, juices and flavored water products, but many of these beverages are loaded with sugar. Drinking a few each day may not feel fattening, but they can add unnecessary calories that translate into extra pounds. George's calorie-cutting solutions for Berkley: Mix juices with no-cal seltzer to lessen the calorie count, choose water drinks with no calories and drink plain water with a hint of lemon or lime juice for flavor.
Dimitrios Kambouris, WireImage.com
Watered Down
When client Christian Slater was looking to drop a few pounds, George's first tip was to have him drink more water than usual. Though the general rule of thumb is to drink eight glasses of water (roughly 64 ounces) a day, George prefers his clients drink at least between 64 and 100 ounces a day. This easy-to-do diet trick is often ignored, yet it's one of the fastest all-day ways to boost your energy levels, plus help curb your appetite by allowing you to stay fuller for longer periods of time.
Rabbani and Solimene Photography, WireImage.com
Protein Power
Sela Ward went to George looking for ways to get in shape and stay energized on the set. After poring over her routine, George realized Ward's diet was lacking in protein and too high in carbs. Eating a snack or meal of pure carbohydrates delivers a quick increase in energy, followed by a crash. Having some protein with your carbs, such as nuts or fish, helps the body release sugar more steadily so energy is consistent throughout the day. Some snacks he recommended for Sela: 10 to 12 almonds with a medium-sized pear and turkey and provolone wrapped in lettuce.
Fitness expert Myatt Murphy is the author of the best-selling books, The Body You Want in the Time You Have, Ultimate Dumbbell Guide and The Men's Health Gym Bible.
