Shame on "Self" and their pathetic attempt at rationalizating why they touched up the cover photo... that this touched up-photo "shows her confidence and beauty" as if only having pounds whacked off could portray this in a photo. What kind of message is "Self" magazine giving to women. The touched up photo was bad enough but the reason given for touching up the photo adds fuel to the fire. I used to read "Self". No more.

Photoshopped? Maybe, but who cares anymore? I have come to realize that when I look at a photo of celebrity lately, I already assume some kind of touch-up, regardless. I have actually seen celebrities in person who look far better in person than in photographs (Bette Midler comes to mind - the woman is gorgeous--paid for--but gorgeous). I'm thinking people should start talking about the quality of the photoshopped work itself. Who does a better job of making those cheeks look a little slimmer? Who had air-brushed out those frown lines and dark circles without being too obvious? Who is better at covering them with the lighter skin shades? We might as well get more sophisticated in our critique of the photoshopped work instead of just, 'was it?' and 'no, it wasn't.'

I used to buy this magazine, after this Kelly Clarkson picture I will never by this magazine again! It is a lie, they shave 40 pounds off a celebrity, then try and "sell" her healthy fitness and eating habits to women that are really trying, and seeking advise. This goes to show this magazine only cares about the fame of the cover, rather than the truth to health. This should be illegal!! It is false advertising!!!

This is what happens to most photos in magazines, especially if you are on the cover. Are people really just figuring this out?

The woman is over weight. We have a fat crisis in America. What until she is 40, omg, she'll be one big mama.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the way Kelly naturally looks. Why would she need a crash diet or liposuction? People need to stop expecting ALL women to be a size 0. Most women are a size 14 in this country (same size as Marilyn Monroe).

Let's not go comparing a current size 14 to Marilyn Monroe, that's just unrealistic. Maybe she was a 14, but a 14 then is not a 14 now, maybe an 8 tops. And just because a 14 is average, it's still not a healthy size for a woman of average height.

Bud
Why would she need liposuction or a crash diet? crash diets can be bad for your health. If she has no problem with her body she doesn't need them. If she was hitting the upper end of the scale in the 400-500 pound range then maybe a crash diet. We don't know the background of her weight gain. there are many different reasons for weight. A crash diet or liposuction will definitely help with a thyroid problem. Steroids can cause weight gain. Cuts look pretty weird when they "bleed"

It depends on the person...sheez, louise! To say across the board that a woman of average height is unhealthy at size 14 is absurd. And I dare say that she is probably HEALTHIER than a size 0, 2, 4. The mindset and expectations that we have of women these days is what's unhealthy. Obviously, celebrities are killing themselves trying to fit into the mold of this ultra thin persona that we have come to expect. They're all fighting eating disorders and/or having to be photoshopped in all their photos so how much more proof do you need to see that these ideals are completely unrealistic AND UNHEALTHY??

if your what in this country is considered overweight and go to the doctors and get a clean bill of health then why should you go and try to fit into the world of being a size 0 2 4 and so on? im overweight and im healthy. i have a 2 year old and i run, go for long walks, dance, and jump around with him. i also eat everything healthy very little soda maybe once every week or two. i do the things that people should be doing everyday. just because someone is overweight does not mean they are automatically unhealthy if your comfortable in your skin then why worry. its a different story if you are overweight and you are unhealthy then something should be done. just remember, your only as healthy as you feel.

you are the dope... have you ever heard of common sense??? take it from an exercise physiologist. a crash diet and lipo wouldnt give you that body. maybe after a year of healthy dieting and exercise... a lot of exercise. lipo only removes fat, it doesnt tone your muscles or tighten your skin AND crash dieting only makes you look sick! in fact, if you crash dieted after receiving lipo, your body wouldnt heal properly and you would probably struggle with infections. get a clue, or perhaps a proper education.

truth about marilyn monroe
Here's some data on her real measurements:

Height: 5'5"
Bust: 37"
Waist: 23"-24"
Hips: 35"

Think about that waist -- it was tiny. It even went down to 22" in some of her adult life; she was a perfect hourglass -- she was not skinny - -but she was not plump, either.

In modern US clothing sizes Marilyn Monroe would probably need a size 6 dress for her waist and hips, and a size 10-11 for her bust.

Hey bub, or is it boob? Haven't you ever heard of people dying from liposuction and crash dieting?

Just remember that Marilyn Monroe's waist measurements were actually at the smallest part of her waist because pants were higher in the waist in the 50's. If she wore the pants of today that don't actually sit at your natural waist, she looks like she'd be an 10, but sometimes as small as a 6. Don't judge her figure by the one front facing photo in a white dress we've all seen. That picture would shave off pounds for a lot of us. If you've seen any videos of her, particularly her singing happy birthday to JFK, she's not as small. But you know what, people loved her for it, she was gorgeous! Our idea of beauty these days is completely warped...I wonder what they'll say about us in 50 years. In the mean time, Kelly's doing an awesome thing by just being confident about herself and not letting the skin & bone crazy media, that decided starvation is the price of celebrity, run her to into a crash diet. When her talent falters or when she has to be rolled onto stage, that's when I'll be worried.

Well put out of buissness is a little harsh....you know that everyone is doing it---although that doesn't make it right, there is absolutly nothing we can say to make them stop! all they care about is MONEY haven't we all learned that yet???All you can do is IGNOR THEM because nothing that you see in a magizine is the absolute 'real thing' they change complexion, weight, breast size, how tall they are, hair, teeth, heck they might even go down to the size of their feet. that is how LOW or SHALLOW magazine companies are---we are all BEAUTIFUL IN OUR OWN WAY!!! and nobody should be able to influence you to change your self like the way that magazine was obviously trying to do with Kelly. I addmit that was wrong. people are who they are and noone should try to change themselves into what they see on magazines---cause it is ALL FAKE so be happy with the way you are and have a nice day!*****