Today, NBC Universal kicked off its first Healthy Week (June 20-26) a multi-platform event to increase nutritional literacy and promote health and fitness. The organization-wide program is part of Healthy at NBCU, a larger effort overseen by Lauren Zalaznick, President of NBCU Women & Lifestyle Entertainment networks.
Zalaznick announced the initiative saying, “NBC Universal has the unique opportunity to join in a national dialogue around critical issues such as health through our vast media and content portfolio. With 33 percent of US adults and 1 in every 5 kids obese, we can make a positive difference in this nationwide crisis by encouraging consumers to live a healthier lifestyle as we inform, educate, and entertain them.”
From MSNBC to Bravo to iVillage, most of the NBCU brands will be getting in on the action. In addition to releasing health-focused content and programming, several NBCU stars offered up their personal healthy practices, as well as confessing a few bad habits — hey, we’re all human after all! Interestingly, there are some common trends among the successes and pitfalls. Here are some of our favorites:
1. What’s your workout routine?
“Boxing 4-5 times a week, jumping rope, running the stairs in my building, lifting weights, and running.” — Padma Lakshmi, host of Bravo’s Top Chef.
“I do the elliptical once or twice a week, my Body by Bethenny yoga DVD 2 to 3 times a week and I walk whenever I can. On vacation I walk on the beach every day for an hour, on weekends, I walk with my husband to different New York areas for lunch. When I’m ambitious I do 5 lb weight arm exercises in sets of 3, 15 reps.” — Bethenny Frankel of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York City.
“With three kids at home my four-year-old on my right arm and two-year-old on my left arm, my biceps have neverbeen so pumped in my entire life. With that being said, I bike zig-zagging all over Manhattan – it’s a great workout as well as practical. When we are not shooting, I get the chance I run along the East River and do the big loop in Central Park.” — Mark Feuerstein, Dr. Hank Lawson on USA’s Royal Pains.
“I work with a trainer 3 times a week and go on hikes 3 days a week. (When I am good. This is all kind of BS on those weeks that I am lucky to walk around the block once.)” — Kathy Griffin of Bravo’s Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List.
“I workout every other day – running for 30 minutes, walking in between and I also workout with light weights and do 300 sit ups to work out my abs.” — Mel B, host of Oxygen’s Dance Your A** Off.
2. What healthy foods do you try and eat regularly?
“Leafy greens, lean protein like fish, chicken, eggs, cottage cheese.” — Padma Lakshmi
“I can only stomach healthy foods. My body has an insistent intelligence that will not tolerate inorganic produce, nor foods that originated in an inhumane environment.” — Gabrielle Anwar, Fiona Glenanne on USA’s Burn Notice.
“During shooting I have to stay trim so usually I have mostly a vegetarian diet but still manage to have a steak or a great burger on the weekends. During the week I eat salads, steamed or grilled vegetables but also manage to sneak over to Pick-a-Bagel for a black & white cookie– ’cause, hey, a boy’s gotta’ eat.” — Mark Feuerstein
“Beans, fruits and vegetables.” — Jillian Michaels of NBC’s Losing It with Jillian.
“I eat a lot of vegetables and fruit. Green leafy, beets are one of my favorites, asparagus, avacado. Love fruit, primarily berries, rasberry, blueberry, strawberry…pears, apples, oranges. I also eat a lot of yogurt, the greek kind. Usually put fresh berries and drizzle a tiny bit of agave nectar on it for breakfast or a snack. Lunch is usually a salad with grilled chicken and whatever veggies or fruit I feel like at the moment. Don’t drink any soda, only drink water throughout the entire day…literally walk around with a water bottle in my hands.” — Caroline Manzo of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
3. What’s the one UNhealthy habit you need to work on?
“I work too much!” — Jillian Michaels.
“Fewer donuts. What am I going to do? Maybe the Lord Baby Jesus should stop making so many because good God they are delicious.” — Kathy Griffin.
“I need to get more sleep.” — Bob Harper of NBC’s Biggest Loser.
“I have a weakness for fried foods.” — Padma Lakshmi.
“Potato chips!!!! Usually around 9 p.m. I have the urge to binge on junk.” — Caroline Manzo.
4. What health tip, if any, do you want to share with others?
“Follow your bliss.” — Gabrielle Anwar.
“I would like to encourage everyone to drink 8 large glasses of water a day, but when I’ve tried that it only works if I never leave my bathroom, so I would say stick to the 5 food groups (sugar, candy, potato chips, pizza & popcorn.)” — Kathy Griffin.
“The one health tip I would tell people is to cut out high processed foods. Your food should basically have a shelf life of no more than 2 weeks. Processed foods are very high in sodium and is bad for your heart and overall health.” — Bob Harper.
“Make exercise your good friend that doesn’t stress you out. If you don’t do it for a while you always go back to it and don’t beat yourself up about it.” — Bethenny Frankel.
“Staying physically active is mentally positive.” — Mark Feuerstein.
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Photos courtesy NBC Universal.