7 Weight Loss Tricks From Lynda Carter

Lynda Carter is the original Wonder Woman—and at 71 years old, she’s still rocking a strong and toned physique worthy of a superhero. “People are always trying to put me in a box,” she has said. “Either I’m too tall, I’m too pretty, [or] I’m too this … or ‘You’re Wonder Woman,’ or ‘You’re an actress,’ or ‘You’re a singer, so you can’t do that.’ I think that people like to put you down to one line — a synopsis of some kind. And I just don’t pay any attention to it.” Here are 7 ways Carter stays in incredible, age-defying shape.

1. No To Carbs, Yes To Ginger

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Carter avoids starchy carbohydrates, as it leads to unwanted weight gain. “I am off of all bread and eat a tiny bit of pasta; because I just found that if I just go off of it because when I started eating a little bit, I put on pounds,” she says. “I drink a lot of stuff with ginger in it. It seems to help my joints a lot and just basically trying to be healthy and not be a slug and keep my body moving.”

2. Peloton Sessions

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Carter credits her Peloton bike with helping her keep in tip-top shape. “Indoor cycling is a rhythmic and dynamic cardiovascular workout that engages the entire body,” says instructor Ally Love. “By pedaling to the beat, you elevate your heart rate and strengthen your cardiovascular system. Regular cycling sessions can improve endurance, boost circulation, and enhance overall heart health.”

3. Personal Trainer and Jump Rope

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Carter works out with a personal trainer three times a week and enjoys jumping rope. “I fight [age] every step of the way!” she says. For diet, the actress focuses on portion control and not restriction. “I'm a chocolate fiend,” she once admitted. “I was awful last night, but I'm not going to do it again tonight!”

4. Maintaining a Healthy Weight

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Carter finds it easier to stay at her ideal healthy weight if she doesn’t keep clothes that enable fat gain. “I put on weight easily, but I've decided never to keep ‘fat clothes’ again,” she says. “They mean that when your jeans don't fit, you move on to your fat clothes and fill them up. When I wore the Wonder Woman outfit, I never thought about my body. I just took it for granted. I don't have a 20-year-old's body any longer. You come to terms with it. It's just gravity, baby.”

5. Rowing On the Potomac

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Carter loves to go rowing, but she always protects her skin. “I’ve stayed out of the sun,” she says. “And I harp the same with my daughter. I have used Purpose soap for years and years, and [did not wear] a lot of makeup. I would always use Coppertone For Faces Only on my hands when I drive and sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreeeeen! I row on the Potomac River, so I also wear athletic wear that has built-in sunscreen, like Coolie. There are several that have really good protection, and some hiking gear that have it as well.”

6. No Alcohol, Ever

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Excessive alcohol intake is notoriously bad for health and weight, and Carter lives a sober life. “I've been in recovery for 27 years,” she says. “And I didn't even start drinking until I was in my mid 20s. It was baffling. I could not understand why I had this compulsion. How could this possibly be that I cannot handle something in my adult life that everyone else can?”

7. Eggs For Breakfast

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Carter enjoys delicious, nutritious eggs for breakfast. “Eggs are a good source of protein (both whites/yolk). They also contain heart-healthy unsaturated fats and are a great source of important nutrients, such as vitamin B6, B12 and vitamin D,” says Kurt Hong, MD, an internal medicine specialist at Keck Medicine of USC. Carter even uses them for skincare benefits. "On Sunday mornings when I make eggs for the family, I'll crack an extra and put just the whites on my face to tighten and ward off any blemishes,” she says.

With a career spanning six decades, Marie Osmond became a household name at a young age. At 13 her debut single “Paper Roses” reached the #1 spot on two Billboard charts, and at 16 she starred in a hit variety show with her brother Donny. A few years later she won a CMA award when she was just 27 and she became a multiple gold and platinum-selling artist. Her career has soared from the time she was a toddler and the legendary TV entertainer went on to do everything from talk show host to author, actor, Broadway performer, entrepreneur, and public speaker. While the mother of eight achieved great professional success, she battled a not-so-private issue--her weight. "I was my heaviest in 2007," Osmond tells us.

That's when she turned to Nutrisystem, a life-changing program that helped her lose 50 pounds. "I’m 63 and I’m living my absolute best life right now," she says. "I know who I am. I’ve been through the crazy stuff. I have experienced heartache. Today, I’m at a place where I can say I feel great – both mentally and physically." Osmond is really happy with where she is regarding her weight loss journey and shares, "Honestly, I don’t have a 20-year-old body, but I certainly don’t have a 63-year-old body, either! And I believe the more you take care of yourself, the more your body takes care of you." In an exclusive interview, Osmond reveals how she lost the weight and kept it off, why she will never put on excess pounds again, and what's always in her fridge.

1. "Weight Can Age You"

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Not only can extra pounds lead to serious health issues like stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, and more, but Osmond explains how being overweight can affect all areas of your life, which is why she will always work hard at making healthy decisions. "Weight can age you and make you feel even older than you really are! It also takes away the joy of being active in your own life, as well as with your children and grandchildren," she says. "It not only destroys your health, but it also affects your mental health, too. And when you hear the world saying, ‘Love me however I am,’ I think you need to love yourself enough to be the best version of yourself, so that you can live your fullest, most beautiful life. That’s why I have continued living this healthy lifestyle."

2. She Couldn't Have the Life She Has Now 50 Pounds Heavier

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Osmond has a busy life professionally and personally. She has multiple grandkids she spends a lot of time with and loves traveling with her husband. She admits if she was heavier, she couldn't enjoy her active lifestyle. "I would never go back to where I was 50 pounds overweight," she states. "My last album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard. I never could have done that without the health and energy I have now. I never could have endured the demands of a grueling tour." She shares, "Recently, I went to Disney World with my eight grandchildren and my 23-year-old son said, ‘Mom, let’s shut down the park.’ I never could have done that with 50 pounds on me!"

3. Six Foods She Always Has in the Fridge

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It's easier to eat right when you stock your fridge with healthy options and Osmond shares her top six go-tos she always has on hand.

--"I am a big fan of grilled chicken because it’s packed with protein to keep me feeling full. I usually try to have a protein like chicken for lunch so it helps me get past that dreaded afternoon slump.

--Chopped veggies like cucumbers, peppers, and carrots are always in my fridge. These are so easy to throw in salads or eat as a side for any meal. I also make sure they are already cut and in clear containers so I can see them easily. It’s like they’re screaming, 'Eat me!'

--Blueberries are one of my favorite fruits. They’re low in calories, but full of nutrients like vitamin C and potassium.

--Spinach is another favorite. It’s low in calories, but big in flavor and nutrients. I love how you can use it as a base for a salad, sauté it as a side for dinner, or throw it in the blender as an addition to a smoothie. It’s a must-have for me.

–I always have lemons on hand. I love the flavor and will cut them up and add them to my water. It’s so refreshing.

--I love the convenience of my Nutrisystem shakes that I blend with ice to create a frosty chocolate treat."

4. She Learned Portion Control

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One important takeaway Osmond has learned from her program that's helped her keep the weight off is portion control. "Thanks to Nutrisystem, I learned, for the first time in my life, that food was not the enemy," she shares. "I learned what a proper portion size looked like. I learned that you could enjoy food and live healthily." She adds, "Most importantly, I learned that I need to eat multiple times throughout the day. By doing that, I allow myself to have more energy."

5. Her Mindset About Dieting Has Changed

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Dieting can be harmful because the mindset doesn't teach healthy habits, so Osmond instead focuses on positive lifestyle choices. "The minute you think ‘dieting,’ you think, ‘Oh, I can’t have this,’ and it becomes restrictive," she explains. "That’s not what living a healthy life is about. I believe in moderation of all things. I believe in having a healthy relationship with food – you can eat what you love in moderation and still make healthy choices." Osmond adds.

6. Nutrisystem Was a Big Lesson

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Osmond learned to incorporate healthy choices into her daily life and credits the program for helping her do so. "Nutrisystem wasn’t just another diet, it was a lifestyle change," she says. "The lessons they taught me have stayed with me. As I get older, I may fluctuate from time to time, but when I see myself starting to gain weight, I will start eating healthier using the tools and tricks Nutrisystem taught me."

7. She Works Out

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In addition to eating healthy, Osmond "loves to be active." She tells us, "My year-round favorite is walking and listening to audiobooks. I love to read so by making it a part of my exercise, it’s how I get my steps in." She continues, "My husband, Steve and I love to hike and explore. I’m also checking things off my bucket list. I just went ziplining over a waterfall and I went skydiving. I actually jumped! It was the most exhilarating experience of my life."

Iconic actress Morgan Fairchild is known for her roles on TV shows such as Falcon Crest and Friends, and at 73 she’s still keeping busy. Fairchild makes a point to stay as active as possible, and to eat food that makes her feel happy and energized. "Even just walking 45 minutes a day, just making yourself get out and do things just keeps everything functioning better: your brain, your body, I think everything," she says. Here are 7 ways Fairchild stays slim, trim, toned, and full of energy.

1. Walking Every Day

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Fairchild has healthy habits that she sticks to come rain or shine, no matter how busy she is or where she might be traveling. “I get up every day,” she says. “I do my chores and I do my exercises. I go for a walk. I try to eat right.” Walking has tremendous health benefits for anyone at any age. “Several studies have found that walking reduces arthritis-related pain, and that walking five to six miles a week can even prevent arthritis from forming in the first place,” say the experts at Harvard Health. “Walking protects the joints — especially the knees and hips, which are most susceptible to osteoarthritis — by lubricating them and strengthening the muscles that support them.”

2. No Bad Input

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Fairchild is strict about living a healthy life when it comes to her wellness regimen. "No drinking, no drugs, no smoking," she says. "And I stay out of the sun." Being mindful of alcohol intake has significant benefits for health, experts say. “Alcohol will dehydrate you, which intensifies fatigue, exacerbates concentration issues, and can lead to overeating,” says clinical psychologist and sleep specialist Dr. Michael Breus.

3. Meal Delivery

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Fairchild makes life easier for herself by getting her meals delivered from a company called Ideal Protein. “It's great because I don't cook,” she says. “I mean I really don't cook. So it's just pre-packaged foods. I don't have to cook for anybody and I don't have to worry about getting a ton of groceries because I don't eat."

4. Gym Every Day

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Fairchild says she goes to the gym every day to protect her health. "I grew up in Texas, so everything was deep fat fried,” she says. “We ate a lot of red meat. I don't eat that way as an adult. I try to watch my sugar intake and junk-food intake… I [go to the gym] partially out of vanity and because one lives in fear of the bikini shot, but also because the older I get the more fervently I believe that exercise—and more studies show this—is one of the main keys to overall health."

5. Inner and Outer Health

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Fairchild knows that mental health and physical health go hand-in-hand. "It's all about trying to find ways to relax and take those moments for yourself, even if it's just mental moments,” she says. “I'm sorry, I'm a child of the 1960s—I go very 'third-eye' on you—but I just kind of concentrate, even if it's just saying the Lord's Prayer over and over again and trying to let yourself go into an area of mental expansion to get away from things. You can do that on a set, on a plane, the office, or in the ladies' room."

6. Keto Diet Fan

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Fairchild says a low-carb, high-protein, mid-fat keto diet helped her lose 30 pounds. “I have my fake oatmeal every morning and then salads,” she says. “You know it’s a very specific diet. It’s not a hard diet, it’s just very specific. If you cheat at all, you don’t lose the weight … but I’ve been very disciplined.”

7. Lots of Water

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Fairchild makes sure she drinks plenty of water every day, which is especially important on a low-carb diet. “I’m doing a keto diet right now. It’s not the one that everybody’s on with a lot of fat,” she says. “This is like no fat and it’s a lot of water. It’s like at least a liter of water a day. And I think that really, just hydrating yourselves is really good. Keeps your skin looking good.”