City ShapeOver: Detroit; How three women changed their lifestyles—and their looks—with a little help from us

Shape, June, 2004 by Jacqui Stafford

We couldn't think of a more perfect place to kick off our first-ever City ShapeOver than the Motor City. After scouring Detroit for potential candidates, we picked three women who wanted head-to-toe makeovers. Then, we assigned a crack team of experts--hair/makeup and style gurus, as well as a nutritionist and trainers at Life Time Fitness--to make these women's dreams a reality over the course of six months. The process culminated in a glamorous two-day photo shoot at the LifeSpa and Salon, an Aveda Concept Salon, at Life Time Fitness. Here, our three candidates' stories--and their dramatic transformations.

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Amy Holland

AGE 27

OCCUPATION Research analyst

GOAL To adopt healthier eating habits and get started on a regular fitness routine

HEIGHT 5'8"

WEIGHT BEFORE 145 pounds

WEIGHT NOW 139 pounds

THE MAKEOVER

The challenge "I eat terribly (I'm addicted to convenience foods) and I don't know how to choose the right foods to maintain good health," Amy explains. "It's been years since I followed an exercise routine--as I never seem to have the time or energy. I'd love to feel more in control of my body."

Nutrition "Amy's a sugar junkie with a tendency to graze," explains New York City-based nutritionist Suki Hertz. "She'll have more energy if she cuts out much of the sugar in her diet." Coffee cakes, cinnamon brioche rolls and flavored lattes may seem like breakfast, but they're packed with sugar, which just triggers more cravings for sweets later. Healthier quick options: two hard-boiled eggs with a glass of V8, or multigrain cereal with fruit. Healthful snacks like nuts, fruit or part-skim mozzarella string cheese can also keep energy up in the late morning or afternoon. "It's best for Amy to include both a protein and a fruit or vegetable when snacking," says Hertz. "The protein will keep her from getting hungry for a longer time."

Fitness Life Time Fitness personal trainer department head Sean Gladwish recommended that Amy slowly begin to alternate upper and lower strength-training workouts throughout the week under his watchful eye. When it came to cardio, Amy worked on duration rather than intensity, which is the perfect approach for beginners. "As she progresses," explains Gladwish, "she'll slowly decrease duration and increase her intensity to raise her heart rate even more to improve cardiovascular health and reduce body fat."

Look-great wish list Amy--who enjoys music, travel, cooking and entertaining at home--has little transition time between work and evenings out or entertaining. "I need a look that lasts throughout the day, and one that I can add to for night without having to start over," she told us.

Beauty Hair Amy wanted a new style to make the most of the "in-between" stage as she grew her hair out. LifeSpa stylist Amy Noelle Campbell darkened Amy's natural base to a warm chestnut, then painted on a few face-framing copper highlights before trimming the ends for a sleeker, more polished look. To keep the highlights bright, Campbell suggested using products specifically for color-treated hair; a once-weekly deep conditioner like Redken Color Extend Rich Defender ($13; redken.com) can help. Makeup Simple day makeup can get instantly glam with a quick infusion of red lipstick (like Estee Lauder's Electric Intense LipCreme in either Hot Hot or Radar, $22; esteelauder.com). Another quick day-to-evening tip: For additional drama, define brows with a pencil like Cover Girl CG Smoothers Brow & Eyemakers Pencil ($3; at drugstores), and add a few extra coats of a volumizing mascara such as Dior's Ultimeyes Lash-Extender Mascara in Ultimate Black ($22; at department stores).

Style "I need to dress appropriately for work, but I don't know how to mix it up so that I can go straight out in the evening," says Amy. Our advice: Accessorize. Sexy dangle earrings and high heels can instantly make a printed sleeveless wrap dress (which can be worn to work with a fitted jacket, stud earrings and lower heels) more sophisticated.

Amber Grandinett

AGE 25

OCCUPATION Media planner

GOAL To firm and tone up

HEIGHT 5'2"

WEIGHT BEFORE 115 pounds

WEIGHT NOW 115; body fat has dropped 2.5 percent

THE MAKEOVER

The challenge "Over the past few months, my life's been so busy with work that I haven't had time to get to the gym at all," says Amber. "I need to get back into shape, and I'd love to make my time at the gym more beneficial."

Nutrition Generally content with her eating habits, Amber wanted to learn more about protein, fat and carbohydrates to better balance her meals. Nutritionist Suki Hertz advised her in making a few minor, painless additions to her diet to make it healthier. For example, by replacing her juice drink (to accompany her cereal and skim milk) at breakfast with 100 percent fruit juice (or better yet, a piece of fiber-rich fruit), she'll be getting less sugar and more nutrients. Hertz also suggested she replace sugar-rich cookies and candy bars (typical snacks) with whole fruit or a handful of nuts, which are high in protein and good fats.