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Under pressure to be thin - but only in the right way - 2 June 2008
Posted by Felicity 4 comments
Give the girl a break!
Poor Fern Britton. The buxom telly presenter has just been lambasted by the News of the World (and the story has now been picked up by other newspapers) for “lying” about how she managed to get down from a size 22 to a size 16 over a relatively short period of time.
Gawd bless her, the woman had been maintaining to the press and anyone else who asked that her dietary success was down to healthy eating and exercise, rather than the gastric band operation she underwent two years ago.
Now there are several issues here. First of all, don’t forget that Fern has expended an enormous effort and mental strength to shed this excess weight, including eating healthily and exercising, as well charity cycle rides in Asia and Africa. Secondly, the gastric band may or may not have contributed to her success. If you do have gastric band surgery, you have to commit to a healthy calorie controlled lifestyle anyway – something that takes willpower, patience and endurance.
I don’t blame her for not coming out about the band itself – as a role model to lady slimmers, she would have been pilloried for having surgery anyway, as if it was in some way cheating! We all worry enough about trying to be perfect whilst juggling life, children, relationships and careers – why have a go at someone who is trying all she can to succeed at something which has a direct affect on her self esteem and career? She should be applauded for trying her best whilst attempting to maintain some sort of privacy and savvy awareness that she would be kicked to the curb the moment she revealed that she was only human. Sometimes, thanks to the miracle of modern medicine, we can get help achieving our weight loss goals. There is nothing wrong with that.
Hats off to her sponsor, Ryvita – a couple of hours ago they released a statement of support, stating, among other things that "we will continue to work with Fern and we wish her every success in maintaining her healthy eating and exercise regime." So do I Fern, so do I!
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Comments
1. David Andrews - June 2, 2008
What strikes me as strange is that this kind of vitriol seems to be reserved primarily for people who have had surgery to combat weight issues. When a celebrity is found to have had a boob job, botox, a facelift, etc, they seem to get plenty of positive media coverage - at the very least there is rarely a similar reaction. Is this down to the fact that she 'lied' about the surgery, or the fact that it is related to her weight?
2. Bernadette Smith - June 3, 2008
There is nothing wrong with having the surgery but at least have the guts to admitt it, i am large and after hearing she had lost the weight by riding a bike and healthy eating i thought she had done brilliantly so decided if Fern at 50 can ride a bike and loose all this weigth i will give it ago although it has nearly killed me.
But to find out she has not done it just by healthy eating and excercise is disapointing. she should have admitted to the surgery in the first place.
It was nice to know that a celebrity had lost the weight correctly what a disappointment.
I am struggling with my weight and health issues because of the weight but am now even more detirmined to lose it the correct way.
Bernadette
3. dianne gill - June 3, 2008
i think fern has a right to do as she thinks is best for her, good on you girl!!
many friends of mine struggle with weight issues and have often said after trying their best with diets , if they could afford it they would do the same.
if it makes her feel healthier and more confident as a person why not? our time on this earth is short enough so my motto is make the most of it!!!!!
4. jule lock - August 4, 2008
julie lock agust 2008
iv been suffering with atheritis for years and at the age of 47, had a double hip replacment this year, this has left me with lots of unwanted weight gain and if i could afford to do anything to help remove these extra pounds. you go girl