I don't know if it's possible to walk by the celebrity magazines at the grocery store check-out, without seeing some kind of story on a celeb's weight.
Quite often... the target of those stories is Jessica Simpson. She came on to the music scene as a fresh-faced teen pop star more than 10 years ago, along with the likes of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. And through the years, she has undergone tons of public scrutiny for her weight... she's too thin... then she's not... it goes on and on.
But I'm here to tell you to forget the hateful comments you might have read on the blogs. Jessica Simpson is nothing but adorable. And I'll admit it. I'm a fan! But, after talking with her, I'll REALLY be cheering her on in her career, and in the same quest we're all on... to be healthy!
I chatted with her Sunday night when she was in Denver for Operation Smile's International Student Leadership Conference.
We talked about how fitness really is a part of beauty. "When you're healthy, it just makes you feel better," said Jessica.
So true. I know when I've been eating clean and getting my cardio/weights in - I'm ready to tackle the world! And it's soooo not about fitting into a pair skinny jeans.
"Just knowing what you put in your body and when you exercise - all that can make you feel as beautiful as you are," she said. "I believe that."
And we all have our favorite body part we like to work when we do hit the gym. For me, it's the glutes. I asked Jessica what she likes to focus on. She didn't miss a beat. "I always have to work out my abs," she said. She laughed and went on, saying "They don't exist! So it's like - can I ever get 'em?"
I'm telling you this girl is just like all of us - busy schedule, hard at work and looking to make a positive difference in the world. That's why she continues her work with Operation Smile.
And for the rag-mag haters who try to bring her down, Jessica knows where true beauty comes from. For her, it’s her faith. “It makes me stand up tall and proud. And the world cannot take me down because I know I can take pride in my love for God.”
