Health and Beauty by Susie Castillo

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The 3^rd key in my book is about health and beauty so I wanted to take the opportunity and talk about celebrities, working out and eating well because it's ALWAYS such an issue in the tabloids and what all magazines seem to care about these days. We are constantly reading about who's too skinny or too fat or "OMG, look how much Reese Whitherspoon has let herself go!"

As someone who is constantly being asked about my workout regimen and what I eat to stay in shape and what my "secret" is, I can honestly tell you that I have no secret, nada! I work my little tail off at the gym climbing 100 floors on the Stairmaster and pay my trainer to kick my ass into soarness so that I can look good at events and on tv.

I'll never forget all the work I put in to prepare for my Maxim photo shoot last summer. At the time I was still living in NYC and there were days (when, by the grace of God, I was feeling extra motivated) that I would go to the gym twice!!! I would work out with my trainer in the morning and then take Urban Rebounding at Crunch gym, which thankfully was attached to my apartment building so it was convenient)

Now, I know that normal people work, have kids, mow lawns, and can't afford a trainer to motivate them and whip them into shape. But it's important for women to understand that when you see a celebrity on the cover of a magazine looking fit and fabulous there is a lot of time and money (that most people don't have) that goes into those photos.

Here...I'll break it down for you:

Wardrobe Stylist: $5,000
Hair Stylist: $500
Make-up Artist: $500
Photographer: A lot I'm sure!
Fitness trainer: At least $100/hour

...and not to mention that there are assistants, publicists, and of course the magazine staff who are all there to make the celeb feel comfortable and ensure that they look their best. While this is all good and glamorous, I feel it's a shame when women compare themselves to celebrities they see on tv magazines. Celebrities live in a different world. A world where production assistants are asked to sort M&M's by color in green rooms or fetch a special lunch for the "talent".

So, the moral of this little story is that until you have the same resources as these celebs do, stop killing yourself when you look at a magazine the next time you're checking out at the grocery store. You have a life and priorities, like celebs do, but yours are just different. Truly understanding this will help you stop comparing yourself to not only celebs but people in general.

Many Blessings and some Ben & Jerry's "Oatmeal Cookie Chunk" ice cream (my favorite),

-- Susie

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