Kirstie Alley has officially left her position as a spokeswoman for Jenny Craig, but the Fat Actess star isn't leaving the weight loss industry all together. She spoke with People of her plans to create her own 'weight-loss brand'

In fact, Alley, 57, hopes to "develop and pilot my own weight-loss brand that I hope to launch in 2009," she has announced in a statement.

Though she called her experience with Jenny Craig "extraordinary," she says: "I want to create something new that will help millions of people end the seemingly never ending fatty-roller coaster ride."

No word yet on what, exactly, Alley's new program would entail, but here's Alley's complete statement to PEOPLE:

After lengthy negotiations, regretfully, the Jenny Craig Company and I did not come to an agreement to continue as their spokesperson.

My relationship with the Jenny Craig Company was nothing short of extraordinary. The people I worked with at Jenny were first rate. The program spoke for itself as the world watched me lose 75 pounds. The last three years have been a win-win for all involved, especially all those other Jenny clients who took the journey alongside me. Just having them there with me was an inspiration and a motivation to continue. Thank you to all of you from the bottom of my heart.

J.C. now has two talented pros on board, and I have no doubt that Valerie Bertinelli and Queen Latifah, along with the excellent products in the J.C. program, will steer the ship to continuing success. I personally wish them the same excellent results and amazing adventures that I experienced as the J.C. spokesperson.

Somehow, I've also fallen into the position of "accidental" role model for, apparently, millions of people out there losing weight by whatever means. This was something I did not bargain for, or foresee happening. Nevertheless, it is something I've grown to embrace and something I intend to continue to pursue.

As for me, I am from the school of "you may not be able to reinvent the wheel but you can sure try to better it," which has proven to be a very successful attitude for Michelin tires. Even my own mentor left a major weight-loss company when she was 51 years old and struck out on her own to create her own brand that we now know as "the Jenny Craig weight-loss program." I had not intended to make this announcement at this time, but after an online PEOPLE magazine article ran last Friday, announcing that I had stepped down as Jenny's spokesperson, I found myself bombarded with inquiries from the media and fans. So I guess it's as good of a time as any to announce that I intend to develop and pilot my own weight-loss brand that I hope to launch in 2009.

The weight-loss field is wide open and not immune to new ideas and improved solutions for the fat problems that plague many of us Americans every day. I want to create something new that will help millions of people end the seemingly never ending fatty-roller coaster ride. I am especially passionate about seeing to it that our next generations are not struggling with the same weight issues that my generation has struggled with.

There was a time when America was not fat, and that was in our not-so-distant past. I'm confident that I can create something exciting and innovative: something that if all goes well, will help change a fat America back into a fit America and will offer this country the healthiest, yummiest, easiest and most effective weight-loss program on the market.

If not, I'll see you at Central Casting.

Oh, but hey, don't "Call Kirstie" just yet. You'll be on hold too long. Call me next year.

SOURCE: PEOPLE

SOURCE: SHAPE

This may be old news to some of you, that grapefruit is linked to breast cancer. I just read this study that came out last July for the first time today. Who would have thought grapefruit could cause cancer. I eat grapefruit regularly and believe the fruit to curb cravings while satisfying my sweet tooth.

A study of 50,000 post-menopausal women found eating just a quarter of a grapefruit daily raised the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 30%.

The fruit is thought to boost levels of estrogen - the hormone associated with a higher risk of the disease, the British Journal of Cancer reported.

Previous studies have shown that a molecule called cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is involved in metabolizing estrogen hormones.

And grapefruit may boost blood estrogen levels by inhibiting this molecule, allowing the hormones to build up.

The researchers found that in women who ate at least a quarter of a grapefruit daily, levels of estrogen were higher.

They said: "It is well established that estrogen is associated with breast cancer risk.

Considering the fact that I'm a young woman and this study involved post-menopausal women, I wont be eliminating grapefruit from my diet completely. However I will cut down on my grapefruit intake. There are many other health benefits associated with grapefruit as well. In fact grapefruit is considered to be one of The World's Healthiest Foods.

Will you continue to eat grapefruit after reading this study?

SOURCE

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The 5 Bite Diet may seem like a joke to some, but author of Why Weight Around? Dr. Alwin C. Lewis is very serious about his new weight loss plan. "It's not what you eat, it's how much you eat", according to the diet's catch phrase. The diet is based on extreme portion control; five bites per meal to be exact. I learned of the diet on Extra where they only mentioned lunch and dinner, so I'm assuming the 5 bite rule doesn't apply with breakfast?

So how does the 5 bite diet work?

• Eat five bites of what ever you want for lunch
• Eat five bites of what ever you want for dinner
• Drink as many 0 calorie beverages as you like
• Take a multi-vitamin every day
• Take at least one bite of protein a day

The diet works as a natural way to shrink your stomach, like gastric bypass without the surgery. The Dr. says after 3 days you wont even feel hungry and the five bite diet will reset what your body perceives as being full. After you lose the desired amount of weight you can go back to eating normally with your new concept of portion control.

Do you think the 5 bite diet is healthy?

There's no doubt that this diet will help dieters to shed pounds but whether or not the dieter receives proper nutrition is up to them. Obviously if you know enough about nutrition to utilize your 5 bite meals to the fullest, it wouldn't be so bad. Personally I hate these fad diets involving crazy impossible guidelines. However if I were to go on the diet I'd most likely eat a good sized breakfast containing important food groups (protein, fiber, good fats, whole grains, and fruit). For lunch and dinner I'd be sure to include all the important food groups and certainly wouldn't be eating fried chicken or cheeseburgers.

How to get involved with the 5 bite diet?

Visit theslimmingstation.com.

Why Weight Around? can be purchased at the BEFIT STORE powered by Amazon.com!

To discuss the 5 bite diet visit the Be Fit Forums!