My Health Journey

I know I usually talk about fashion and beauty on this blog but today I want to talk about my health journey, which has become very important to me and the main focus in my life right now. I have never talked about this on my blog before and I feel a bit vulnerable putting it out there but I want to be honest and open with you guys, my lovely readers, and maybe something I write in this post will resonate with one of you and help you on your journey.

Growing up as a dancer, I had the perfect ballet body. I was long, lean, strong and tall and could eat two quarter pounders, fries and a coke at McDonald's (which I did often) and not gain a pound because I was constantly burning calories. I took dance classes 5 times a week and I loved dancing - it was my life- until the tendonitis in my knees forced me to cut down. When I stopped dancing as much, I gained about 10 lbs. and for the first time ever I had to watch what I ate. I cut out all red meat and lost some of the weight by exercising and non-healthy dieting. But a year later, after a very painful breakup with my high school sweetheart (and entering my first year of college), I could not stop binge eating. Clearly, I was eating my feelings. I was out of control. (For those of you wondering, I did not purge after I would binge, thankfully.) I ended up gaining 25 pounds in a very short period of time and hated how I looked. Especially since I was in theater school at the time and was constantly surrounded by mirrors in dance class and rehearsals, plus I had to wear skimpy costumes for some of our productions. So I decided I had to stop the binge eating and focus on getting skinny again!! (I should have been focusing on self-love but that would come much later.) So I started dieting and the weight started to come off.  I also started doing Pilates, which I really enjoyed. I enjoyed it so much I later got my Mat Certification, taught for 5 years and still practice Pilates every week. I should mention here that I did not eat healthy at all while on this diet though. I basically would eat food with the lowest amount of calories and fat possible, devoid of any real nutritional value, just so I could eat more throughout the day. I didn't eat enough food either, I was always hungry (and cranky) when I went to bed. Over the course of a year and a half I lost around 35 lbs. I was way too skinny but I was obsessed with my weight and food. It was horrible. I couldn't enjoy life because I was too busy focusing on how many calories or fat grams were in everything I put in my mouth and staying thin. It was my way of staying in control during a time in my life where I felt very out of control.  With some guidance and help, I eventually put on a bit of weight that I was comfortable with and started to relax about food but it was really hard.

 Just in case you wanted to know where your gallbladder was located ; )

I am pretty sure the extreme dieting and rapid weight gain and weight loss had something to do with me getting gallstones at 18 years of age. Except I didn't know they were gallstones until I was 26!! I thought they were just "cramps!" Finally my doctor ordered an ultrasound and yup, I had a ton of large gallstones that were causing me intense, curl-up-in-a-ball pain for years! So I had surgery and got my gallbladder removed. (I also contracted a nasty staph infection which was just awesome!) Anyways, shortly after my surgery I decided to become a Vegetarian (for various reasons) and thought I was eating really healthy! Wrong. I was anemic and was put on an iron supplement by my doctor. And I was still having intense pain and bloating in my stomach, among other stomach problems I'll spare you with. I thought removing my gallbladder would have helped that? When I went back to my doctor she told me I should probably get a colonoscopy (FUN!) and get tested for Celiac disease. When both tests came back negative, I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Sydrome. (Even more fun!!) She signed me up to see a dietician. Before seeing this dietician I had to journal what I ate for 3 weeks and when I showed her what I had written down she basically told me that if I keep eating the way I was eating I would be very malnourished and more susceptible to illness and disease. She asked if I would consider cutting out dairy and gluten. No way. I wasn't ready then. I already didn't eat meat, if I had to cut out dairy and gluten what the heck would I eat? Grass? So my dietician gave me a list of foods I should try adding to my diet, to help with my IBS as well as give me enough iron and protein to help with my anemia. I felt a bit better adding more nutritious foods to my diet but I was still feeling tired and every now and then I would get that intense pain in my stomach and it would blow up as if I was 4 months pregnant.

It wasn't until I met and started spending time with and really listening to my good friend Lisa, who writes Life By Leese when she moved back to Edmonton from New York City that I realized what you eat can actually make a difference in how you feel. I mean I guess I knew that all along but I was too lazy to make the necessary changes to live it. (Lisa gave a really good interview here to Keltie Colleen, which really inspired me, you should read it!) She is studying to be a holistic health counselor and is so passionate about healing through nutrition, health and wellness and living a healthy, fulfilling life that her positivity rubbed off on me and I asked her what I should do to help my IBS and another chronic illness I've been suffering with since I was a child (that's a whole other post!) and like the dietician I saw, she recommended cutting out all dairy and gluten. Dammit, I love my toast and I love my Dairy Queen Blizzards! But she just asked me to try it for 2 or 3 weeks. So a few days ago Lisa was kind enough to take me shopping to Planet Organic and Save-On Foods where I picked up a few staples to start with, including the items above. (The rest is in my refrigerator.) She also gave me recipe ideas, tips on juicing (which I have been doing for the past couple of months already) and ultra-healthy smoothie-making. I am slowly cutting out dairy and gluten from my diet and I'm not going to lie, it has been really hard so far. I have to consciously make healthier choices. But Lisa told me, "Don't focus on what you're cutting out, don't focus on what you can't have. Focus on all the great foods you can have and all the new, delicious foods you'll be adding to your diet and how they will make you feel." I know being Vegan and gluten-free will be hard at first but I'm willing to try. So that's where I'm at right now with my diet. I hope to be completely dairy and gluten-free by the end of this weekend, I'm just slowly weaning myself off. Right now, I'm feeling really good, with more energy than I've had in a long time. And I'm not counting calories or fat grams at all!

My very simple and favorite juice recipe: 

2 apples, 2 carrots, 1/2 cucumber, 2 celery stalks, a bunch of kale and a bunch of dandelion greens
(sometimes I will add a pear or lemon and a knob of ginger for extra taste)

In the past couple of months I have also started to amp up my workout routine, exercising 4 times a week instead of 2 or 3. I've been active all my life but I stopped doing a lot of cardio when I stopped dancing, I would just do Pilates or Yoga. I know how important cardio is for your heart, health and well-being so I've started walking when it's nice outside and also doing Tracy Anderson's DVD's. Her Metamorphosis package includes a 30 minute dance cardio section (along with a muscular structure section which is SO hard but you really see results!!) where she basically happily flails around and you have to follow her moves. I found it hard to keep up with her and the music really repetitive so I press play but do my own moves and choreography while listening to my iPod and basically dance around my living room like a boss for half an hour. Sometimes I look at the TV and follow her moves for a minute but then I get back into my own groove. When Tracy stops, I stop. It's a great workout! I do it twice a week, even though she says you should do it 6 times a week for 90 days to "transform" your body. But I get bored easily so on the other two days, I'll go to the Pilates studio and work out on the machines or go to a Yoga class, or do Ballet Beautiful or Barre 3 at home.

At the end of the day, for me it's not about just looking good, it's about feeling good, physically and mentally.  Because if you don't have a healthy mind and body, what do you have? And I finally realized this only recently! And only recently have I started to love my body. I wish it hadn't taken me this long but I'm glad I am now finally on the right track : ).

 

Thank you for listening : ). Have a wonderful weekend!

You have read this article fitness / food / health / Keltie Colleen / Personal / Tracy Anderson with the title Keltie Colleen. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-health-journey.html. Thanks!

Keltie Winner Announced!

Thank you to all of you who entered my Keltie Colleen Giveaway and for all your sweet comments on my interview with her! And a big thanks and hug to Keltie for sponsoring the giveaway, you're the bee's knees and way too good for Brad Womack. (Just sayin'!) So....I'm excited to announce that wide_eyed_dreamer is the winner of Keltie's Plie Tee and an autographed copy of her book "Rockettes, Rockstars and Rockbottom!" Congratulations! I will be emailing you for your address shortly.

Have a relaxing weekend everyone. I have two birthdays to celebrate this weekend, one of them being my best friend's so I'm pumped like Arnold Schwarzenegger circa 'Terminator.' I'll be back next week with an outfit post, it seems like I haven't done one of those in forever, I know!

Oh, and check out Funny Face Beauty's Red Carpet Make-up Contest - there are some amazing prizes to be won : ).

You have read this article Giveaway / Keltie Colleen with the title Keltie Colleen. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2011/02/keltie-winner-announced.html. Thanks!

Interview with 'The Bachelor's' Keltie, Bachelor Fashion and a Giveaway!

Most people will recognize this gorgeous former Rockette as the quirky Keltie from this season's 'The Bachelor,' the contestant that showed off her sky-high kicks as soon as she got out of the limo to meet The Bachelor himself, Texas-bred Brad Womack. But some of you may not know much about her besides the fact that Brad sent her home in tears without a coveted rose in the second episode and that she has great legs! Because of editing on the show, we only got to see a glimpse of Keltie's sparkling personality which left the viewers wanting to know more about her, where she came from, what her deal is, etc. Well lucky for me (and you) I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Keltie Colleen and even had her weigh in on some Bachelor fashion!

On the show it stated you were from Hollywood, California but you were actually raised in a small town in Alberta, Canada called Sherwood Park. What was it like growing up there?
Sherwood Park was a little "bubble". I still call it that. I was half busy dancer/student with no life + half girl trying to get boys to like me and go to parties. I knew from a very young age that I was going to get out of that town and live in a massive city.

At nineteen you packed your bags and moved to New York City all by yourself. What was that like?
It was heaven. I was living and dancing in NYC. That was my dream. I had no money and I was so rich. There is an undeniable lust for life in NYC, EVERYONE is following some passion. Everything is interesting. It is totally beautiful in a dirty, fast paced way. 

A lot of contestants become famous after appearing on 'The Bachelor' but you were a celebrity in your own right before going on the show. In addition to dancing with the world-famous Radio City Rockettes for 5 years you've also performed with major artists on stage like Taylor Swift (MVA's) and Fergie (Fashion Rocks), and in videos for Christina Perri and Gym Class Heroes, just to name a few.
I think that was a constant struggle for me, because people look at you and see that you are already in the public eye and then think, "well, she's doing this because she wants to be famous". I was a part of the most famous dance troupe in the world. Bachelor girls stay famous for like...15 minutes. The Rockettes have been around for 78 years! Plus, I've been around enough "famous" people to know that fame is not something worth lusting after. I want to continue to be successful and do the things I love.

What was your most memorable gig?
My most memorable gig was most likely dancing in + being the associate choreographer for my best friend Christina Perri's music video "Jar Of Hearts" this past fall. Being on set with a friend while all her dreams are coming true. Priceless.

In addition to your dancing and choreography, you've also had success as a host and now author of 'Rockettes, Rockstars, and Rockbottom.' Can you tell my readers a little bit about your book?
Sure, 'Rockettes, Rockstars and Rockbottom' is a book about chasing your dreams and losing your heart. It reads like a journal. It is brutally honest about what we women go through in our relationships. I started the book after I woke up to find proof that my boyfriend of 3 years had been cheating on me AND everyone else in our circle knew, and no one told me. I was in shock, a fool and heartbroken. The story is about picking up all the pieces of your heart and putting yourself back together, I know everyone can relate.

(You can read what I thought about the book here.)

Because you dated and fell in love (and later broke up) with a famous musician a few years ago you had a lot of haters in the online community. How did you deal with all that negativity?
Honestly, it used to get to me but I think that it is really easy to hate people on the internet. We look at people and because of Twitter and blogs and such we think we know them. Maybe we know pieces of them but never the whole truth. People hated me because they thought I was pulling apart their favorite band or ruining their chances of hooking up with one of the guys in the band. Obviously having a girlfriend wouldn't have stopped him and I loved that band, more than I loved myself at the time. I wanted them to stay together and make music forever. 

You designed your own signature series of dancewear for 'Sugar and Bruno.' What inspired you to do so?
Well, they asked me! I was thrilled and I can honestly say it is pretty amazing to see a room full of dancers all rockin' my designs. I've always loved fashion. I am mostly horrible at dressing myself so it is pretty great to get to design the stuff I want to wear! My clothes are all for sale at my website keltiecolleendance.com, check out the lace "chic" short, it is so cute and comfy! I also recently made this adorable stripe tank-top that says "Keep Calm and Dance On" with a metallic crown. It's so cute for summer! 

You're known as a 'hustler' in the North Amercian dance community. Can you explain more about that? What drives you?
I got this reputation for being the hardest working dancer in showbiz. I agree but it's funny. I wish I was known for being the best or prettiest! I just feel so lucky to be living the life I am, and I try not to take anything for granted. I was given this one in a million chance and I want to make the most of it.

Your inspirational blog, highkicksandhighhopes is quite popular, especially among teens. When and why did you start writing it and what do you hope your readers take away from it?
I started HKHH about 5 years ago. I wanted to spill my thoughts on dance and love. Sometimes I am shocked by how much I open up to my readers. I think that there are so many hurtful blogs and websites that aim to make fun of people/celebs or talk about that whole culture and make us "normal" girls feel a little less than, my blog is all about telling the truth and being honest about the struggles we face as women, and the guys! I will never understand them, endless material there.

What's next for you?
Right now I am planning another book tour, working on two T.V. show ideas, working to make my book into a rad movie, finding the best pieces from all over LA to sell at my shop + planning the spring photo shoot for my clothing line!

You're one busy woman! I hear you'll be appearing in the upcoming remake of "Footloose," too.
Yeah, I was cast as a principle dancer in the movie. I get to be in some of the big dance scenes, it was awesome. We shot in Atlanta.

Do you still believe in love?
I think that the universe give you what you wish for, just not in the place or time you wish for it.

Now on to the fun questions!

If you only had three words to describe yourself what would they would be? 
Nerd. Impatient. Meerkitten.
  
What are five things you can't live without?

1. kiehls tinted lotion 
2. eyelash extensions
3. Matt Nathanson records
4. diet coke
5. my friends











What is your favorite album?
'Some Mad Hope' by Matt Nathanson

Favorite books?
Perks of Being a Wallflower, She's Come Undone, Take Another Piece of My Heart
  
What do you love about L.A.?
The sunshine and weather, it's always perfect!

What do you hate about L.A.?
The traffic.

What do you miss about New York?
Taking the subway, the vintage stores in Brooklyn, the seasons, exposed brick, the culture, theatre, Arlene's Grocery, my friends. 

What are your favorite clothing stores to shop at?
I do most of my shopping online. I love nastygal.com, shopbop.com + topshop.com. I've also started my own webstore called "shopkeltie" at keltiecolleendance.com. I have been going to cool designers in LA and picking up pieces to sell to people all over the world that might not be able to shop in a big mecca. Plus, I do $5 shipping! 

What make-up products can you not live without?
I am obsessed with skincare, at the golden globes gifting suite this year I got these little oil beads for skin + I am obsessed with them! I am a big fan of Ladyblush from MAC, Viva Glam/Gaga Lipstick and Bronzer! 

Now on to Bachelor Fashion!

First of all, Keltie, I loved the way you dressed on the show, and think you have amazing style. Was it easy or difficult to choose your outfits for filming? And how much time did you girls spend getting dressed and dolled up?
It was a little hard to plan and pack. They tell you that you can only bring 2 suitcases and you have no idea what you will be doing! I had a ton of party dresses from doing different events, but if I am not "dolled up" I am usually dancing in sweats and tanks. Sometimes we had a bunch of time to get ready, and other times it was really fast.

 Let's take a look at the dress you picked to wear for the first episode when you met Brad for the first time:

photo via

I love the sequined neckline and the silhouette of this Alice + Olivia cream satin dress. 
Yeah, I have no idea why some of the girls chose to wear 80's prom dresses- I was so surprised. For me, I really dig the boho-chic style, I never wear tight clothes if I can get away with it. I was shopping for awhile and when I saw this dress I GASPED- I felt really natural in it. 

photo via

Here you are in a cute purple sundress. I love how you accessorized with a belt and earrings.

The magic of TV, this dress is actually blue and made out of vintage denim + was an old piece from Urban Outfitters Vintage thingy. The belt I stole from an ex-boyfriend + it says "Hank" on the back. I have no idea why. I am of course wearing my Mantra Cuff that I sell with my clothing line, it says "courage, passion, hard work" on it and is my mantra for life, I am usually wearing it! I always wear ONE earring. I guess it is my thing. I cannot remember why I started doing that. I was wearing HUGE MIA wedges and remember feeling way taller than anyone else. 

photo via

                                                                    photo via

Gorgeous! Tell me ALL about this dress!

The dress is purple and I bought it from nastygal.com (one of my FAV sites!) The headpiece was made for me by an amazing friend Kelsie who owns HALE jewelry. It's all chain and link and goes great with my boho style. Funny enough I was "saving" my good dresses for later on, maybe for a date. Whoops!

Here's a picture of the Dolce & Gabanna's Meghan wore in Episode 1. I think they're kind of ugly, what about you?
Did anyone notice that there is a plastic lipstick on the toe? I love a statement shoe for sure, but what bothered me about her in this shoe was that she couldn't walk! Ladies, PLEASE do not wear high heels or wedges and then clomp around like a monster in them. You have to walk, not shuffle.

 photo via 

I thought Shawntal looked stunning in this cris-cross green number. Thoughts??

Shawntal is a natural beauty, I remember on the first night she had this loose ponytail that looked like she just got back from the gym...and it looked good! I think she looks pretty amazing here.

 photo via

Emily wore this dress, which I believe is from Forever 21 and now sold out online, on her moonlight picnic with Brad in Episode 4. She looks good in anything!

Emily really is a little Barbie. She looks good in everything. What I love about Emily in this dress is that so many girls on the show had their boobs hanging out the whole time, call it boob envy, but it's kinda weird. Emily had some knockers but she always dressed super classy and sexy, not just sexy.

photo via

Michelle's tunic is gorgeous! I enjoy her comfy casual style on the show. I hear she had a stylist pick out all her outfits for The Bachelor.?

Michelle has rad style. If she had a stylist she was so lucky! I wish I had someone to pick out my clothes for me. I love these huge earrings.

photo via

I'm not a fan of Rachel's dress at all. I think it's the print I don't like.

The only time it's appropriate to wear a Pucci print is if it is actually Pucci. Enough said.
Agreed. Thanks Keltie! 

(For more fun Bachelor fashion, check out The Possessionista, she's hilarious.)

And speaking of one of my favorite topics - FASHION - Keltie has so sweetly offered to give away one of her oversized PLIE TENDU RELEVE scoop neck tees she designed for Sugar and Bruno (above) AND a signed copy of her book 'Rockettes, Rockstars and Rockbottom' to one of my lucky readers! Her book is seriously one of my all-time favorite reads. I finished it in one sitting without even getting off the couch it was that good!

To enter:
1. You must be a follower of Marie a la Mode via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin'
2. Leave a comment in the comment section saying you would like to enter this contest
3. If you don't have a blog I can reach you at please leave me your email address

The winner will be chosen in a week! Good luck!

Much thanks to Keltie Colleen xoxo

You have read this article Celebrities and Entertainment / Giveaway / Interview / Keltie Colleen / Shawntel Newton / The Bachelor with the title Keltie Colleen. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2011/02/interview-with-bachelor-keltie-bachelor.html. Thanks!

A Feature, a Book and a Magazine

Happy Friiiidaaaay! I wanted to share with you an interview I did with Smashion.com which is a "social fashion site that connects buyers and sellers with a passion for fashion." I was honored to be featured in their Smashion Lounge! You can click here to view my interview and check out their cool site.

I also wanted to let you know about an amazing book I read last week called "Rockettes, Rockstars & Rockbottom" by Keltie Colleen. Here is what's written on the back of the book:

"Caught between backstage and center stage, Keltie Colleen opens a window to her intriguing life of dance and rock n' roll. In between gigs, Keltie optimistically untangles complicated rockstar romances, while clinging to her own identity. Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, Keltie's story is an honest, powerful and ultimately uplifting guide to following your dreams and losing your heart."

My boyfriend and I went to Keltie's book reading and signing last Friday where I had the pleasure of meeting her. She's such a sweet, beautiful and down-to-earth girl who happens to be from the same hometown as me, in fact we probably competed against each other many times in local dance competitions! Well after she signed my book D. and I came home - he went down to his "man cave" to watch an action flick and I stayed upstairs reading "Rockettes, Rockstars & Rockbottom" in one sitting. I didn't get off the couch, not even when I had to pee I was that riveted. (And I have a small bladder.) I just couldn't put it down. When Keltie was 19 she took a bus to New York City with only $500.00 in her pocket, hoping to make it as a dancer in the Big City. Well she did (and then some) and every dream she had as a child came true, including becoming a Rockette. She also fell in love with three famous rockstars (at different times) and had her heart put through the wringer over and over again, picking up the pieces after each relationship failed while trying to hold on to her sense of self. While reading this book I found myself becoming very emotionally involved with her story: I cheered for her, I cried for her and I wanted to kick all of her (ex) boyfriends in the gonads for her. Trust me, after you read this book you'll want to, too! Her book is really good. And very inspiring. To learn more about Keltie and to order her book you can click here.

And how stunning does Carey Mulligan look on the cover of Elle UK's January 2011 cover? I die!

 

Speaking of cover girls, what do you think of Taylor Swift being the newest face of COVERGIRL Cosmetics? I love Taylor, she's an excellent role model for young girls, beautiful inside and out and can do no wrong in my books. Plus she's dating Jake Gyllenmajigger! Don't they make the cutest couple?

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

You have read this article About Me / Books / Celebrities and Entertainment / fashion / features / Keltie Colleen with the title Keltie Colleen. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2010/12/a-feature-book-and-magazine.html. Thanks!