Tracy Anderson, current fitness guru to Goop and former fitness trainer to Madonna (before she ran off with the head of Madonna’s charity), covers Health Magazine. We’ve heard Tracy say many offensive things about her clients, that they have “disaster bodies,” that they have “significant problem areas” and “use pregnancy as an excuse to let their bodies go.” So in that respect it’s a step forward in that she’s praising Lena Dunham for her body positivity, although that comment is tinged with shade because she mentions Lena eating pizza in the next sentence. (She’s said fawning things about Lena before as well.) Tracy also has a mixed message about women’s fitness in that she calls out women who don’t give it their all at the gym.
On Gwyneth Paltrow’s best advice:
“She shared with me that her father once told her that when someone shows you who they are, believe them. Don’t try to justify the times they were great, because the times when they weren’t is who they really are.”
On when we learn to stop hating on ourselves:
“When we give ourselves permission to celebrate our own beauty. It’s one reason why I love Lena Dunham as a client. Her objective is not to become a size 2. It’s to feel more connected to herself and to feel healthier and be balanced in her life.”
On pushing boundaries:
“We are wrapped in bubble wrap. We think that making it through the pain cave is putting our workout gear on and getting to class. Now, I’m not knocking any level of showing up, but I think many people are stuck in preschool with their bodies. Going for a walk is like going to preschool—but you could go to college, you could get your master’s degree.”
On giving in to cravings:
“I just can’t eat lean protein and vegetables every day of the month. I love french fries, I love pasta, I love food—there’s not a potato that I do not love.”
On her advice to those reluctant to start working out later in life:
“It’s never too late to show up for your health. You can be in the best shape of your life at any age.”
On the importance of staying focused:
“Keeping your mind engaged is key. Period. A good marker: If you can make your grocery list while you’re working out, you’re not engaged.”
Q: So when will we stop hating on ourselves?
When we give ourselves permission to celebrate our own beauty. It’s one reason why I love Lena Dunham as a client. Her objective is not to become a size 2. It’s to feel more connected to herself and to feel healthier and be balanced in her life. If she wants to have pizza with her boyfriend, then she’s going to have pizza with her boyfriend. She’s not in a race to be something that she’s not, and that’s one of the things that make her so beautiful.
“Stuck in preschool,” huh? It sounds like she’s advocating that women go hard at the gym every single session and that anything else is wasted time. That’s a ridiculous, defeatist approach. Sometimes you go hard, sometimes you do an easy/moderate workout so that you can give your body a rest and have fun. You know who has the best exercise advice? Kate Hudson. Kate says to do what keeps you moving, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, keep track of what you eat and enjoy things in moderation. Tracy insults people, makes fun of their bodies and acts like her way is the only way. It’s not “preschool” to take walks, that’s insulting. You can go hard on a walk on a treadmill or outside. Power walking is an Olympic sport and walking is legit exercise.
Also Gwyneth Paltrow’s dad’s advice is particularly applicable when it comes to Tracy. Update: Thanks to those of you who pointed out that the quote originated with Maya Angelou.
I know some of you are going to want to trash this woman’s looks. Please instead focus on the fact that she is wearing lingerie on the red carpet. That’s the fashion equivalent of being stuck in kindergarten.
photos credit: WENN.com
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