'I want to be size 10 by Christmas'
Monday 29 September 2008
Michelle McManus has set her heart on getting a size 10 body by the end of the year – and she’s hoping a new figure will kick-start her singing career.
After losing 10st by following the advice of nutritionist Gillian McKeith on C4’s You Are What You Eat three years ago, Pop Idol winner Michelle felt she needed a break from hardcore dieting, but now she’s back on her quest for a slim figure.
Michelle, who’s 5ft 2 and weighed 23st at her biggest, says: “This time I’m losing the weight for me. I’m 28, and I’ve never been a size 10 in my adult life, so I’m determined to get there – hopefully by Christmas.”
Michelle, who’s currently 13st 5lbs and a size 16, has started a new healthy regime and cut out all alcohol. Her aim is to lose at least 31⁄2st and become a size 10.
She says: “The reason I’m not doing Gillian McKeith’s diet again is because my new plan is easier to stick to. I don’t want to be a yo-yo dieter. But I’ve incorporated lots of Gillian’s tips. She totally re-educated me on nutrition and diet.”
Michelle is also hitting the gym three times a week, and does a two-and-a-half- hour tap dancing lesson every Monday in her native city of Glasgow.
“It’s great,” laughs Michelle. “But my legs ache for days afterwards. In the gym I do 30-40 minutes on the cross trainer and then weights for half an hour. If I’m feeling good, I’ll also do another 10 minutes on the bike.”
Michelle hopes that her planned body transformation will lead to the rebirth of her music career. “I think the fact my career stalled was linked to my size", she admits.
“My music wasn’t successful because of the way I look, simple as that. I always knew I was going to struggle, and I never thought the press or public were wrong for slating me – it’s all about image nowadays.”
Despite having a No1 single after Pop Idol in 2003, and a hit album in 2004, her record label ditched her just a year later. But Michelle thinks that even X Factor winner Leona Lewis would have similar problems had she been larger.
She adds: “Her voice is miles better than mine – but Leona wouldn’t be where she is now if she was 23st, like I was, when she won. The record companies wouldn’t have stood by her. Mine didn’t. It’s hard to market a larger female singer – it’s not as if I could do a calendar in my smalls!
“I do wonder whether things will change when I’m a size 10,” she smiles. “My career could have a new lease of life.”
By Dean Piper
For more info, visit www.michelleofficial.co.uk
If you want to shape up like Michelle, click here to find out your BMI and get a personalised meal plan for free!
Posted by racheal
RE: 'I want to be size 10 by Christmas'
I think that Michelle shouldn't aim to be a size 10, she should aim to be a size which she feels comftable at. To be honest, she'd look wierd to me if she was a size 10. she should aim to be a size 12 or 14. I mean, th eaverage size of a woman is a size 12, so she shouldn't feel the need to be any smaller.
But well done for loosing all that weight Michelle! You look really nice!
xx
Posted 30/09/2008 13:27:33
Posted by jopabrca
RE: 'I want to be size 10 by Christmas'
I have suported michelle since she won, have emailed about new singles etc to be told she was in the recording studio. its a shame that producers of radio programes do not suport talent no matter what their size. i have always felt radio one are hypocritical they have a fat dj: chris moyales yet do not play michelles records.
its such a shame that she has had to resort to dieting to restart her career, and even then i dont think they will suport her they are just to fickle.
and as for a calender in her smalls i know a few fellas that would have bought it!
i have my own yahoo group for F.A,s (fat admirer's) and have over 500 members. we did a pole of who was the sexiest fat brit a few years ago and michelle came in third behind Dawn french, Fren Britton (pre scandle) before mikila dodd, kathy burke and alsion moyet.
size is not everything..being happy is.
good luck with the music michelle...
Posted 30/09/2008 16:48:05
Posted by sally rose
RE: 'I want to be size 10 by Christmas'
good luck michelle, i lost 4 stones 3 years ago with weight watchers and have been a size 10 since then - its hard work but the rewards are worth it - and im sorry but fat is not sexy or healthy.
Posted 30/09/2008 17:55:41
Posted by jmb411
RE: 'I want to be size 10 by Christmas'
I think it's a shame that Michelle feels the way she does although she does have a point regarding size, ours is a very sizeist society - i.e. being fat must mean your stupid. She made me think of Alison Moyet who has a most fantastic voice and when I see her (albeit very infrequently nowadays) I listen to her voice and not sit there thinking about how big she is - I am afraid Im probably in the minority. I hope Michelle reaches whatever goal she sets herself and picks up her career but most of all I hope she's happy with how she looks be it size 10 or size 20.
Posted 01/10/2008 09:28:40