As host of The Biggest Loser, Alison Sweeney has witnessed some amazing transformations. And as an actress held to pretty strict ideas about "proper" weight, she's struggled publicly with her own ups and downs on the scale. She visited the TODAY Show Tuesday to talk about her new book, "The Mommy Diet," in which she shares her thoughts on how to get healthy and actually make exercise and eating right a priority -- based both on her "Biggest Loser" experience and her experience as a mother of two.
Alison answered some questions via e-mail about losing baby weight and beyond. Click here to read an excerpt from "The Mommy Diet," and read on for more. What do you think of her book? What are your thoughts on losing baby weight (or not)? Have your say in the comments!
TODAY Moms: It seems there’s an obsession with baby weight these days, like every starlet has to pose in a bikini for the cover of Us Weekly immediately after giving birth! Being in the public eye and on TV, did you feel pressure to lose the baby weight fast, and how did you deal with that?
Alison Sweeney: Well, I host a weight loss show, so no question I felt pressure after my baby was born to shed those unwanted pounds. But I think particularly because of "The Biggest Loser" messaging - which is all about a healthy lifestyle - it was equally important to me to be healthy about the process.
TODAY Moms: How can new moms find time to eat healthfully?
Alison Sweeney: Hopefully moms are taking the time to put together healthy meals for their kids, and so why not add an extra portion for yourself? It's so crucial to our society that we get this obesity epidemic under control, and it starts at home with our kids.
TODAY Moms: When you have kids, time is in such short supply. What’s the best way to motivate yourself to take the time to work out?
Alison Sweeney: That's what it's all about - because with kids, yes, time is in short supply. Most of us are working too, so you really need to manage your time well. And yet, we all still seem to have time to watch TV, right? When people say to me they don't have time to work out, I ask what their favorite show is. You could be working out while watching it. Hey, it's a start, right?! And once you get going, your body will start to get the hang of it, start to thrive off the healthy endorphins you get from working out, and maybe it'll become a habit!
TODAY Moms: For you personally, how has having kids changed the way you think about your body, your eating, your self-image?
Alison Sweeney: All of those things have stopped just being about me and how is my body image, my eating habits affecting my kids?? I want to be a good example for them. If I'm going to make them eat a side of broccoli, well, I better finish off my veggies too.