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CRAVE BlogInterview with Kami Gray, wardrobe stylist and author of The Denim Diet
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Wardrobe stylist Kami Gray has worked on the set of TV medical drama House and teen mystery Veronica Mars. She’s also styled commercials for Toyota, Nickelodeon, and Blazers amongst others. In the past two years, Kami has taken on a new role, a role she is still getting used to! She’s the author of a best selling book, The Denim Diet. Spending 22 years developing healthy eating habits and being able to fit into her favorite jeans, Kami shares with readers a no-nonsense, lighthearted guide to achieve the same goals without counting carbs, hours of cardio, or restrictions from eating.
Continue reading our interview with Kami Gray while she shares with us her current projects, her thoughts on female empowerment and body image.
Can you name all of your professional roles?
TV wardrobe stylist, author, image consultant for professional women, and blogger.
What projects are you currently working on right now?
I’m working on my 2nd book, which is targeted for kids. It’s written in the tone of a mother or aunt talking to kids about health and nutrition. It’s very sincere and comforting. I am also promoting The Denim Diet right now, doing book tours and signings.
Tell us about The Denim Diet: Sixteen Simple Habits to Get You into Your Dream Pair Jeans?
It’s not really a book about dieting or restricting oneself from eating for any period of time. I mean, what happens after that 6 weeks or 6 months is up? Dieting causes a yo-yo affect where people lose and then regain because they’re not completely changing habits, they’re just restricting themselves for a short period of time. The Denim Diet helps readers assess their lifestyle, gives them the tools to change bad habits, and provides food alternatives and nutrition guidelines to avoid fat storage.
At age nineteen, your jeans were six sizes larger than they are today. What inspired you to write this book and share it with others?
In college I was heavy and it was a very difficult time for me. I poured myself into reading about health and diet, trying to understand it and trying to help myself. Two years ago in January I was traveling and was in Texas—with nothing healthy to eat. I was so frustrated and hungry I spent 5 days writing in a journal I’d used for decoration … and that’s how The Denim Diet came to be. I didn’t spend months or years writing this book. With a fresh voice, both humorous and candid, it had a lot of potential and was published soon after. Since then, it’s been on both Amazon and Powell’s Best Sellers list. This whole thing just seemed like it was supposed to happen, so I took it and ran with it.
How does your diet differ from others out there on the market?
It’s not so much a diet, rather a set of guidelines and tips for healthier eating and better habits, such as using alternative ingredients in cooking. I’m not telling anyone to exercise, count carbs, or take pills. And it’s written from a regular person’s perspective, like one girlfriend to another, not an authority or well, husband or boyfriend telling you to lose weight.
What’s a current trend that you like?
Women helping women. I’ve noticed a great deal of support amongst women lately, especially business owners. There’s no catty competition or women against each other, it’s just women helping women and empowering one another to succeed and do well.
What are your thoughts on blogging and social media?
I spend about 3 to 4 hours a day primarily on Twitter, my blog, and LinkedIn to connect and communicate with followers or fans. It’s of huge importance in my business, and I do notice a difference when I’m not on it updating regularly.
Any guidance for female entrepreneurs?
GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY. Anything is possible, so just go out there and do it. Don’t give yourself such a hard time and hinder yourself from finding success.
Any words of wisdom for women and body image?
You just have one body, see it as a huge blessing. It’s your vehicle so take good care of it. Don’t look at others and wish to look like them or be more like them. Appreciate the body you’ve been given and work towards the best “ME” I can be.