After a bold decision to change her life, The Biggest Loser's Alison Sweeney is happier — and healthier — than ever. Steal her strategies to stay slim, get energized and reach your goals.
By Kelly Mickle, Fitness Magazine
All the Right Moves
Alison Sweeney doesn't like to sit still. "I crave activity; being busy makes me feel accomplished," says the host of The Biggest Loser, author of two novels, marathoner, triathlete and mom of Ben, 9, and Megan, 5. So giving up her starring role on Days of Our Lives
after 21 years on the show has been a bit of an adjustment. "I'm so
used to having everything scheduled -- be here at 5 a.m. and there at
7 a.m. -- it's been scary to have all these unknowns," says Alison, 38.
"But to me, fears are just new challenges and barriers that I look
forward to breaking."
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Besides spending more time with her kids and finally getting a chance
to do some workouts she's been wanting to try, Alison is stretching her
career muscles, too. She has signed on to direct episodes of General Hospital
and an upcoming TV movie. "I want to put my energy into pursuing new
passions as well as new adventures with my family," she says.
Here, Alison talks about how switching things up can reenergize your life.
Your latest novel is Scared Scriptless. After leaving Days, you are scriptless for the first time ever. How does it feel?
My last episode airs in October, so I think that's when it will really
hit me. The show will always have a place in my heart, but I wanted to
have more time with my family. My kids are so happy now, and I'm no
longer thinking about nine other things while I'm with them. Everyone in
my life has commented on how much more relaxed and at ease I am.
What fit activities do you like to do together as a family?
We bike, hike, swim, walk the dogs and play catch or kick the soccer
ball around the yard. My parents introduced my brothers and me to so
many fun things -- skiing, hiking, waterskiing. It's a wonderful memory,
and it's something my husband, Dave, and I want to share with our kids.
We want them to be brought up with the spirit of being game for
anything.
What workouts are you planning to try in your new free time?
I'm really excited to start taking yoga classes. Before, my time was so
limited I felt I had to do the most physically taxing workout I possibly
could in 40 minutes. Now, I'm trying to focus on the mental as much as
the physical. I want to stretch and push myself in different ways, so
I'm a balanced, all-around fit person. I'm also getting back into riding
horses, which is something I loved to do when I was younger. It
requires complete concentration, so it's a great escape for me and a
wonderful way to spend a couple of hours outside.
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Why is fitness so important to you?
It's less about my weight or wanting my body to look a certain way and
more about wanting the confidence in my ability to do whatever activity I
choose to do with my family or friends. I might not be good at it, but I
want my body to be strong enough for me to at least get out there and
have a good time.
How do you motivate yourself to work out when you just don't feel like it?
The contestants on Biggest Loser are a major inspiration for me. It's a huge reminder to care for my body and to never take my health for granted.
What is the top diet tip you've learned from the show?
That eating healthy doesn't require suffering. There's a tendency to
think food has to be bland and boring for it to be good for you, but
there are so many healthy ways to add flavor to your meals. We grill a
lot, which gives food a wonderful smoky flavor. I put cinnamon on
everything -- my coffee, my oatmeal, my yogurt -- and I keep a mini herb
garden on my windowsill that I use to flavor all kinds of things. A
turkey roll-up with cheese, tomato and hummus feels gourmet and
incredibly satisfying when you add a little fresh basil.
What do you eat when you need a quick energy boost?
Almonds. I keep a supply of them in my purse. My other favorite is Greek
yogurt with blueberries, cinnamon and a little agave with slivered
almonds on top. It's just delicious.
What's the one treat you have to have, no matter what? Red
wine. I love it. I love it so much my husband actually built me a custom
wine tap in our house. Best gift ever. He's not much of a wine drinker
so I was always ruining a bottle for one glass -- or I felt pressured to
drink more so it wouldn't go to waste. Now I can have just a glass, and
the argon gas in the tank seals it back up, so one bottle can last for
weeks.
What's your best stay-slim trick?
Calories have to be worth it! You'll never see me drinking wine on an
airplane. If I'm going to indulge in wine, it had better be good -- and
that goes for food too. If I'm going to eat something, it needs to be
delicious.
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Big Changes at Biggest Loser
America's favorite weight-loss show has undergone a makeover of its
own. Jillian Michaels is gone -- for good, this time -- and two new
trainers, Jennifer Widerstrom, a certified personal trainer who was
formerly on American Gladiators, and Jessie Pavelka, a fitness
expert who has hosted weight-loss shows in Britain, have joined the
cast. "As a friend, I could relate to [Jillian] leaving. She made the
decision that was best for her and her family, and I admire her for
being true to herself," Alison says. "As a coworker, I'm sad because I
miss her, but new people bring new dynamics, which is what makes a good
show. And our new trainers are awesome."
The other twist Loser has in store for fans: The new contestants
are former professional and Olympic athletes who have gained weight and
are struggling to get their fit bodies back. "To have extremely
successful pro athletes and gold medalists admit that they need and want
help is incredibly inspiring," Alison says. "I'm really impressed by
their determination to change. I think this season is going to blow
people's minds."
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