Alison Sweeny shares weight-loss, motivation and lifestyle tips
By Heather Warlick hwarlick@opubco.com | Published: December 31, 2012
If you resolve to be a big loser this year — weight loser, that is — reap some inspiration from Alison Sweeny, host of TV's “The Biggest Loser” and star of “Days of Our Lives.”
Sweeny, who went from a size 12 to a size 4, is featured in the January 2013 issue of Fitness magazine. In the magazine, she talks about fitting it all in, curbing her quest for perfection and finding time to exercise, sleep and be a role model to her kids.
Here are some tips from Sweeny, courtesy of Fitness magazine.
On giving up on perfection and feeling liberated:
“If I couldn't be number one or go superfast, I'd give up and not do it at all. But I'm learning I can have fun and be proud of myself, even if I'm not the best. Medium speed is OK too! It's a positive cycle. You take care of your body, and the next thing you know, you're taking better care of your career and the people you love.”
On squeezing in a workout with her crazy schedule:
“I used to be one of those people who hated working out. It felt like such a chore. I had to learn that exercise isn't a punishment. Finding workouts I enjoy has allowed me to flip it in my head. Now I look forward to that time and the exercise high I feel afterward.”
Her secret to fitting it all in:
“I'll do strength training in my dressing room between shoots, and I've been known to make business calls while I'm out jogging. I try to mute myself on Bluetooth so they can't hear me huffing and puffing, but I usually end up getting caught. Fortunately, people understand; they're usually jealous they aren't exercising too!”
If you had two hours to yourself — no kids or demands — which would you choose: sleep, sex or exercise?
“It's terrible to admit, but I'd probably sleep. But if you let me pick two, sex definitely qualifies as exercise for me, so I think I could fit them all in!”
On still feeling like a chubby person:
“Those thought processes are hard to overcome, so that's definitely where Bob's and Jillian's mantras really do echo in my head: ‘That's an excuse; that's not who you are.' It's important to take care of yourself. That includes eating healthier and learning not to beat yourself up when you make a mistake.”
On being proud of her body:
“I may not have the best body out there — not even close — but I worked my butt off, literally, for it, and it's OK if it's not as good as someone else's. This is what I've got, and I have to embrace it and be proud of it.”
On being a role model for her kids:
“After I ran the L.A. Marathon, my son said, ‘When I'm older, can I run with you, Mommy?' I love that I'm a role model and that my husband and I are setting the example that exercise is important in our lives.”
How fitness has changed her:
“Before, I felt intimidated, but now when opportunities come my way, I can jump in and say, ‘Yeah, let's do it!' ‘The Biggest Loser' crew has a softball team in an intramural league where we play other TV shows. I don't know much about softball, but I know I can have fun and be athletic.”
On overcoming her weight struggles:
“I was a total sucker for both the fat-free and sugar-free crazes. I used not to eat breakfast in the morning because I thought it was just one less meal to worry about. When I started ‘Biggest Loser,' I wasn't eating enough and would compensate by consuming foods that weren't good for me. I really credit the show for introducing me to quinoa, lentils and other healthy options that taste good.”
