Gwyneth Paltrow and I Have At Least One Thing in Common

I just got back from a long weekend in Toronto where I spent four days eating, sleeping and playing with my beautiful two-year-old nephew. I also read through roughly 15 magazines on both the flights up and back, which may be the only perk of flying: guiltlessly buying ridiculously priced magazines to read to pass the time. One magazine I picked up was the October issue of "O." In the issue, an article on an upcoming PBS show, "Spain ... on the Road Again" was highlighted. This show will chronicle the travels of Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow and her dear friend, Iron Chef's Mario Batali, around Spain as they enjoy Spanish food, culture and wine. In addition to the October-issue feature, both Gwyneth and Mario will be on Wednesday's (9/17) episode of Oprah, discussing the PBS program, their food philosophies and how Gwyneth could possibly eat her way through Spain and still look red-carpet perfect.

In snippets released on the Internet -- in anticipation of today's episode -- Gwyneth tells Oprah's audience that she does not (cannot, actually) diet. She doesn't count calories, deprive herself of carbs or make any foods off-limits. She has willingly accepted that in order to eat what she wants, she'll have to consistently stick to an exercise routine.

On the one hand, this revelation (that Gwyneth can't diet but can manage to look unbelievable) is refreshing. She's just like me! I can't diet either! (Most diets I've found just don't encourage the consumption of as many Reese's peanut butter cups as I'd prefer.) When I feel deprived of my favorite foods, I end up binging on them at 3am, while guilty standing in my kitchen. (As Gwyneth said in regards to obsessively dieting, "If I did that, I'd be 300 pounds." ) Balance really is the key, and I do think a superstar spreading the message of moderation is a positive thing. You should enjoy food -- all foods -- and you shouldn't get trapped in the seemingly never-ending yo-yoing of fad diets and weight-loss trends in order to stomach the reflection in the mirror.

But, on the other, more cynical hand, award-winning, red-carpet floating, multi-millionaires aren't just like me, are they? Even if both Gwyneth and I struggle with the desire to eat pasta and the equally important desire of feeling fabulous in a new outfit -- whatever the size on the label might say -- we don't have similar lives and responsibilities. It does seem (from where I stand) that celebrities have the ability to drop as much money as it takes for the world's best trainers and the world's best chefs and the world's best vacations (I don't know when I'll find myself afforded the opportunity to eat my way through Spain, but I can eat my way through a Dallas fast-food chain.) They may have normal struggles, but they do have a much larger budget with which to solve their problems, right? I have a full-time job, a commute, a family, a very limited budget, and -- at the risk of sounding whiny -- a metabolism that probably does not rival Brad Pitt's ex-fiance.

I am a pop-culture junkie, but an optimistic one, most of the time. I want to believe Britney can make a strong comeback and that, seriously, there may be a reunion with Justin Timberlake in her future. I want to believe that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are blissfully happy because that little girl of theirs is ALWAYS SMILING. I want to believe that Gwyneth Paltrow really does live diet free and indulges with the best of us and works out -- like a normal, goal-oriented woman -- just like I try to do with my measly 24-Hour Fitness membership. I think it's a GOOD thing that she's promoting balance and not unrealistic ideals that drive most women into the arms of an eating disorder. But that pesky, annoying voice in my head does stammer out -- when I hear her going on about living a diet-free life -- "Of course she can look that good! She has the MONEY to look that good! Even if she does eat pasta!"

I'm conflicted, and the conflict causes me to go back and forth between being inspired to also work hard towards a more balanced lifestyle (working physically hard so I can sit down and enjoy a glass of wine and a piece of chocolate cake when I feel so inclined) and throwing my hands up in frustration, grabbing the closest Reese's and saying, "Forget it. I am not nor will I ever be Gwyneth Paltrow."

Maybe I'm the only one (oh, I hope I'm not the only one) who deals with these conflicting emotions when I hear that stars are just like us. Bu, regardless, I do think Gwyneth's message is a better, more positive, more "in-the-right-direction" one than the more prevalent celebrity message of silently suffering to lose any extra pounds to fit into a couture dress and pretending it took no effort at all.

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You can see Gwyneth's appearance on Oprah this afternoon (check your local listings for times). You can also see Gwyneth and Mario on their PBS program, "Spain ... On the Road Again" starting the week of September 20 on your local PBS channel. And, come October, you can also read about their Spanish journey in "Spain: A Culinary Road Trip."