Selena Gomez, a multi-talented artist known for her singing, acting, and producing, has been in the public eye since her early years on “Barney & Friends.” Over time, her journey has not only been about growing as an artist but also about navigating the complexities of body image and self-acceptance in the spotlight. Gomez’s weight loss journey, intertwined with her advocacy for positive body image, has inspired many fans and followers.
Early Life and Career Pressures
Selena Gomez’s rise to fame began in the early 2000s, and with it came the inevitable scrutiny of her appearance. The entertainment industry, notorious for its unrealistic beauty standards, often puts undue pressure on young stars. For Gomez, the pressure was compounded by her diagnosis of lupus, an autoimmune disease, in 2015. The illness, which causes inflammation and a variety of symptoms, significantly impacted her physical health and appearance.
Gomez has been open about the challenges of managing lupus, including the side effects of medication and treatment. These medical necessities led to fluctuations in her weight, sparking unwarranted public commentary and media scrutiny. Despite the criticism, Gomez continued to advocate for body positivity, emphasizing the importance of self-love and acceptance.
The Role of Health in Her Weight Loss Journey
For Selena Gomez, weight loss has never been purely about aesthetics. Her primary focus has always been on health and well-being. In interviews and social media posts, Gomez has emphasized that her journey is about feeling good and maintaining her health, particularly given her chronic illness.
Her approach to fitness and diet is holistic, prioritizing balance and moderation. Instead of adhering to strict, restrictive diets, Gomez focuses on nourishing her body with wholesome foods. She has worked with nutritionists to find a diet that supports her health, particularly considering her lupus diagnosis. This includes a balanced intake of proteins, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, with an emphasis on hydration.
In terms of physical activity, Gomez incorporates a variety of exercises to stay fit. Her workout routine includes strength training, cardio, Pilates, and yoga. She enjoys mixing up her workouts to keep them interesting and engaging, which helps maintain her motivation. Gomez’s trainer, Amy Rosoff Davis, has often highlighted the importance of a positive mindset in Selena’s fitness journey. They prioritize exercises that are effective and enjoyable, ensuring that Gomez feels good mentally and physically.
Selena Gomez’s Diet Plan
Compared to what’s typically expected of celebrities when it comes to weight management, Selena doesn’t like to overthink her meals or obsess over calories in her daily diet. Her aim is usually to just get in all essential nutrients so that she can stay strong through her hectic schedule.
Her trainer, Amy Rosoff Davis usually helps Gomez plan her meals, ensuring that they are rich in protein, healthy fats, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, to keep her satiated and align with the energy requirements for her workouts. Davis also encourages Gomez to consume superfoods that help boost immunity, ensuring she stays strong and healthy amidst her persisting health issues.
Brown Rice Bowls: Davis has made a lot of brown rice bowls for Selena, with a generous side of vegetables, protein (beans, turkey, or chicken), and avocado. This is an excellent example of a balanced meal, as it is rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and unsaturated fats to keep one feeling satiated for long. Vegetables and avocados are also rich in antioxidants and improve heart health (3), (4). Gomez loves her healthy breakfast burritos prepared similarly.
Chicken Salad/Turkey Salad: Chicken is an excellent source of protein and putting it together with a generous amount of vegetables makes for a healthy, complete meal. During meals when Selena feels the need to go a little easy on carbohydrates, she gobbles down a healthy bowl of chicken salad with grapes and celery.
Grapes and celery are both abundant in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and fiber, with the former also being rich in fatty acids (grape seed).
On other days, Gomez likes to switch up her choice of protein with turkey and has it in a scrumptious salad with avocado, beans, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, and olive oil. Selena usually has such salad-type meals for lunch, especially when she is shooting, recording, or has a busy schedule lined up.
Greek Yoghurt And Granola: This is another healthy breakfast option that Selena likes to have. Compared to regular yogurt, Greek yogurt is thicker, creamier, and higher in protein. Granola, depending on its contents, can be an excellent source of dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
Teriyaki Bowl: With either chicken or salmon as a choice of healthy protein, Gomez likes to nosh off a healthy teriyaki bowl made with an Asian-marinated cucumber, avocados, and rice or a side of sushi.
Organic Food: Selena is very particular about consuming fresh produce from local farmer’s markets. She opts for organic fruits and vegetables as well as hormone-free and grass-fed meat. Research shows that food produced without any pesticides, growth hormones, or genetic modification is far healthier than food produced otherwise and prevents many side effects of the latter.
Green Tea: Instead of opting for more heavily caffeinated beverages, Gomez likes to sip on a cup of refreshing green tea whenever she needs a little pick-me-up. Green tea has impressive antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, neuroprotective, and cholesterol-lowering effects on health. It contains zero calories, has lesser amounts of caffeine, and aids in weight loss.
Hydration: Instead of having sugary drinks, Gomez likes to stay hydrated with humble water — and has a lot of it on an average day to stay hydrated. Earlier, she used to make the mistake of not having enough water, but these days, she consciously reminds herself to stay hydrated and thereby, rejuvenate her body.
Mental Health and Body Positivity
A significant aspect of Selena Gomez’s weight loss journey is her commitment to mental health. She has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, sharing her struggles with anxiety and depression. Gomez has emphasized that true well-being encompasses both physical and mental health, and she has sought therapy and other forms of support to maintain her mental well-being.
In 2020, she launched the Rare Beauty brand, which promotes the idea of embracing one’s unique beauty. Through Rare Beauty, Gomez has aimed to redefine beauty standards and encourage self-acceptance. The brand’s messaging is deeply personal to Gomez, reflecting her journey towards self-love and acceptance. Rare Beauty’s philanthropic arm, the Rare Impact Fund, further supports mental health services, highlighting Gomez’s commitment to holistic well-being.
Gomez’s advocacy extends to social media, where she often speaks out against body shaming and unrealistic beauty standards. She has shared her experiences with weight fluctuation and the negative comments she has received, using these moments to educate and uplift her followers. Her transparency about her struggles has resonated with many, making her a relatable and inspiring figure.
Embracing Change and Inspiring Others
One of the most admirable aspects of Selena Gomez journey is her embrace of change. She acknowledges that her body will naturally change over time, especially considering her health condition. Instead of resisting these changes, Gomez chooses to celebrate her body’s resilience and strength. She has openly discussed her relationship with her body, emphasizing that it is a continuous journey of acceptance and love.
Selena Gomez’s story is a powerful reminder that weight loss is not a linear path and that it is deeply personal. Her focus on health, both physical and mental, sets a positive example for those struggling with similar issues. Selena Gomez encourages others to do the same by prioritizing well-being over societal expectations.
In conclusion, Selena Gomez’s weight loss journey is a testament to the power of self-love and positive body image. Through her advocacy, she challenges societal norms and promotes a more inclusive definition of beauty. Her emphasis on health, both mental and physical, underscores the importance of a holistic approach to well-being. As Selena Gomez continues to inspire others with her authenticity and resilience, her journey is a beacon of hope and empowerment for many.
