By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
It’s not often that a rock star offers us an important public health message. Lady Gaga – real name Stefani Germanotta – is perhaps best known for her outrageous outfits (including her dress made from red meat!) and amazing singing voice. We know her as very thin, but she is now carrying an extra 25 pounds.
Media buzz about the reasons for her weight gain abounds. She revealed that she has been a frequent guest at the restaurant her parents have recently opened. But she also revealed that she has struggled for years with an eating disorder, and that it was time to address and resolve the problem.
This is a courageous and unusual step for such a public figure. Now, Lady Gaga’s focus is on getting to a healthy weight that she can maintain with healthy eating. And her message to millions of women (and maybe men) is that the desire for the “perfect weight” can get out of control and become a health negative.
Her take-home message is that choosing and sustaining a healthy weight is a work in progress for all of us. No matter where you are on the scale, it’s not easy to maintain that “sweet spot” of a healthy weight. But it IS all about health and feeling good about yourself.
Are you trying to get started on your journey to lose weight? Learn to fill your weight management toolbox with the right tools for you. I call this process building your BEAM box – with tools for (B)ehavior, (E)ating, (A)ctivity, and (M)edical Care. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help with friends, family, or your doctor when needed. It is working for Lady Gaga and it can work for you too!
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