Maria Menounos - The EveryGirl’s Guide to Diet and Fitness: How I Lost 40 lbs and Kept It Off—And How You Can Too!

I lost a Super Bowl bet at Extra and was forced to host the show in a NY Giants bikini. It was mortifying and freezing!!

Some of you may know me from TVhosting shows like Extra, competing on Dancing with the Stars, and wrestling for the WWEor from seeing me in the weekly magazines. You might have even caught me posing in a bikini on the cover of health publications like Shape and Self. But what you may not know is that I was once forty pounds heavier.

Size 14: Funny enough, even at this weight and size, I had a smaller upper body and stomach. But I was a double D and had a shelf for a butt! And yes, I know, my fashion isnt what it is now.

I had hit 160 pounds by gaining a little weight year after year, and at 57, I was dangerously close to being seriously overweight. I knew that unless I did something, there was no reason to think that I wouldnt just keep gaining. But what could I do? I had tried a ton of diets but didnt have the willpower to stay on any of them for longer than three days. I had very little time in my schedule and no money. Sound familiar?

Just like many of you, I was an EveryGirlsomeone who had worked hard and wanted to be healthy and successful, but had to accomplish it all on her own and with limited resources. So relying on the way I was raised, some common sense, and much trial and error, I came up with a plan not only to lose the weight, but also, many years later, to keep it off. It workedand more important, it keeps working!

With my friend Deidre working on my Greek-American radio show

I still consider myself an EveryGirl. When it comes to my weight and health, even though Im on TV, I have many of the same obstacles Ive always had. Im still busy, I still have a family history of health problems (more on that later), and I am still careful with money. Obviously, I cant fall back on having good genesthats what packed on those extra forty pounds to begin with!so I have to make healthy eating and fitness a priority and put in the work.

At the same time, however, I still eat stuff like loaded potato skins and nachos. And guess what: There are times when I gain a few pounds here and there, too. Ive just found simple, practical, and affordable ways to balance my diet and exercise routine with the occasional indulgence in order to return to my desired weight.

I dont have an official daily diet or workout plan. What I do have is a lifestyle plan that every girl of every background and age can follow. Yes, my plan will help you lose weight and get in shape, but the real key is that it will help you to live a longer, healthier, and more prosperous life. You dont need a lot of money, and you dont need a lot of timethe very things every girl seems to lack most today. You dont even need to have a lot of willpower or do a lot of work when you compare my approach to most structured diet and exercise plans. You mainly need patience and an open mind to the possibilities.