Ashley Judd, talented lady who's gained a few. The nerve of her!
I’m spitting mad. And for once, I’d like to make that statement literal and spit on a chosen few; namely, the “surgeons” and other idiots who accused Ashley Judd of undergoing plastic surgery because her face is now a little puffy.
Why do I care? Because the poor girl got sick and had to take several rounds of prednisone.
Again, why do I care? Because prednisone killed my figure as well. In 2007, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Wegener’s Granulomatosis. I was hospitalized for 18 days. Then came prednisone off and on for three years, in addition to other immunosuppressives. There’s still a bottle of prednisone in my medicine cabinet because relapses are a fact.
What else happened in 2007? I got married. Every bride wants to look her best. But despite hiring a personal trainer and religiously exercising, I walked down the aisle 15 lbs heavier than when we met just a year before. My cheekbones disappeared after one month on the medication. My waist wasn’t far behind.
The prednisone continued and so did the weight gain. I tried Weight Watchers. I continued to pay a personal trainer for another 1-1/2 years. I mixed and matched my carbs and proteins. In short, I TRIED, and I still work on it.
My husband continues to tell me I’m beautiful, but my inner voice always replies, “Puullease.” My friends reassure me that they’d much rather have a chubby friend alive and well than the alternative, which happens to be a dead friend.
So when the legitimate media attacks a talented actress/activist for “chipmunk cheeks,” you’ll have to pardon me if I reach for my megaphone and soapbox. They have no right to remind me:
- Of all the times I’ve left a dressing room in tears.
- Of all the skinny clothes I’ve given away.
- Of all the times I felt guilty when eating in public.
- Of all the times I guilt-babbled my “story” to anyone who’d listen to explain away my size.
And Now? Guess what? I weigh 152 lbs and I’m only 5’1″. That’s a size 12, folks.
Yes, I go to the gym. Yes, I watch what I eat. But I also enjoy a nice meal with friends and family. I’m not a size 4, and my life happens to be better than when I was, though I have to remind myself of that at times.
Ashley – Stay Strong. Don’t let the critics (to whom I hope McDonalds delivers daily with an extra side of mayo from now on) get you down. They only wish their talents were half as deep as yours or their list of humanitarian efforts half as long. Get well and show them a happy life!
She’ll be interviewed tonight on the NBC Nightly News. Here’s a clip from her interview.
