Alison Sweeney would know.
For 13 seasons she’s had a front-row seat to watching contestants transform their bodies and lives as host of The Biggest Loser. She has also been refreshingly candid about her own struggles to maintain a healthy weight.
Now the Redbook contributor who graces the August cover, just finished writing her third novel, due next year, and has taken on the role of star and executive producer on next month’s Hallmark Channel movie Love on the Air.
No slack, she’s also signed on to act and co-executive produce seven more films for the cable network based on the best-selling Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder series and directed episodes of General Hospital.
HERE’S A BIT:
Ali Sweeney on the lack of strong women’s roles in Hollywood:
“I worry about stuff like that more for my daughter. I feel very strongly that girls – and children, in general – are not getting a good representation of strong roles for women. I mean, Doc McStuffins shouldn’t be the only TV show in which a woman has a real job. A princess is not a job that our daughters can aspire to!”
On the differences between men and women in their approach to dieting:
“Men are very practical about it. It’s like, if they feel like they need to watch their weight, they will say, ‘I’m just going to eat green beans all week’ and that’s the end of the story. They don’t torture themselves. I wish I could be more that way!”
Why men don’t feel the same guilt women do when it comes to work and being away from family:
“I think for me, and probably a lot of women, it’s because I see myself as a person who shouldn’t need help. I hate to ask for help. I mean, I can’t stand when I can’t open the mustard jar. It’s the most ludicrous thing. My instinct is to do it myself because I don’t want to feel inadequate.”
Her best advice for kick-starting weight-loss:”
“I do think that weight issues are ultimately bigger than nutrition and exercise. You have to conquer ‘the want.’ You have to decide that a healthier lifestyle is something you personally want – nobody else can do that for you.”
http://www.redbookmag.com/life/news/a38572/alison-sweeney/
Pictured: Dress: Christiano Burani
Earrings, Bracelets, Rings: Melinda Maria