What Would Alison Sweeney Do?

Let's just say that Alison Sweeney is not the most popular mom at her son's baseball games. "Each parent has to bring a snack one time during the season," she says. "Most people bring things like cookies or doughnut holes. I bring low-fat string cheese and apples. Everyone looks at me like, OMG of course you did! But I'm happy to take the ribbing." That's because the 36-year-old Days of Our Lives star and host of The Biggest Loser practices what she preaches. After battling her own weight as a teenager and then again after her two pregnancies (Ben is 8 and her daughter, Megan, is 4), Sweeney has committed herself and her family to a lifetime of healthy eating and exercise. She happily shared her secrets with LHJ readers, who asked her questions about how she lost weight (she's now a size 2!) and gained more self-esteem.

-- Deb Katz, Noblesville, Indiana

Sweeney: At one point while I was on Days I was a size 12, which by Hollywood standards was overweight. The show never gave me a hard time about it. But I was hard on myself. And some casting directors made it clear that a lot of roles didn't come my way because of my weight. That was tough to hear as a teenager. I used to think, I'm already overweight so I might as well eat whatever I want. I also fell into that pattern of starving and then overeating. I would try to be "good" by not eating all day long but by dinner I'd be so hungry I'd splurge. I'd eat bags of baked chips and low-fat stuff. I figured since it was "low-fat" it was okay to eat the whole box.

-- Jackie Buckler, Tampa

Sweeney: My husband [California highway patrolman Dave Sanov], who at the time was my boyfriend, made me realize how much I kept dwelling on my weight. He'd say, "You look beautiful, but if you want to do something about your weight do something, don't just complain about it." When you're not happy with how you look it fills your mind. You think every pretty girl you see has a better body than you. You eat every piece of food you come across, even though you know you shouldn't. That's such an unhappy place to be. So I started exercising. At first I started playing racquetball, which I'm terrible at. But my husband is really good and I'm really competitive so he and I would play until I was covered in sweat. The better I got the more I started seeing a change in myself: I wasn't so tired all the time and I wouldn't get out of breath so quickly. That made me more confident.

-- Kimberly Barrett, Oak Park, California

Sweeney: I tell them how important it is to remember they're on this intense journey of weight loss but that there's also no end to it. It's not like one day you hit that magic number on the scale and you're done. Maintenance is just as difficult as weight loss. It requires constant vigilance. I started a food journal when I joined The Biggest Loser. Every day I add up how many calories I eat. I try to average 1,500 calories a day. If I have a coffee drink or a snack -- even a bite of something -- I write it down. Most people have no idea how many calories they're consuming. Sometimes they're not getting enough calories. When I started on Loser I wasn't eating enough for how active I was. Now I eat more of the healthy foods -- steel-cut oatmeal, Greek yogurt, grilled salmon, and lots of fruit and veggies. They help me get a better workout and my body is leaner for it.

-- Ashley Cambers, Ypsilanti, Michigan

Sweeney: I was on an airplane and the flight attendant was surprised that I said yes when she offered me a meal. She was like, "Oh, I didn't think you'd eat." I was so happy to say to her, "Actually, I don't believe in starving myself. That's really not good for you." So I believe in championing a healthy lifestyle. Being overly skinny is out of style. People are much more attracted to someone like Jennifer Lawrence, who's thin but healthy. She can kick anyone's butt any day of the week.

-- Ruth Clinard, St. Paul, Minnesota

Sweeney: I try to work out four or five times, mixing it up between spin classes, running, and yoga. But some weeks I don't have time to work out at all. If you don't work out four days in a row, going back on the fifth day is especially hard. If you work out most days it's a lot easier to stick with your routine. So when I don't have time to work out, I at least try to do something physical, like 10 push-ups. It helps get my muscles burning and blood circulating.

-- Lyn King-Sisco, San Angelo, Texas

Sweeney: You have to find goals to strive toward instead of focusing on the number on the scale. My goals might be to finish a triathlon and to run a half marathon, but someone else's goals could be walking a mile or running her route faster than the last time, or chasing her kid around the yard for a longer period of time. Those are the kinds of goals that further your weight loss.

-- Jessica Kramer, Granger, Iowa

Sweeney: You have to ask for help. I know that's a difficult thing for moms to do but you should call on your spouse or your mom or a friend to watch your kids so you can go to the gym or do an exercise video. You could even trade off with a friend: You watch her kids on Monday and Wednesday nights and she watches yours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Working out is not selfish me time. It's part of living healthfully. And if you want your daughters to grow up and take care of themselves, the best thing you can do is lead by example.

-- Linda Stevens, Longview, Texas

Sweeney: If I'm really craving chocolate I'll break off a little piece of dark chocolate and take some almonds and make a dark-chocolate crunch. One of my favorite treats is Greek yogurt with a handful of blueberries, agave nectar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. It tastes sort of sweet because of the agave but it's full of protein and the blueberries give you an energy boost. I allow myself treats all the time, but I use portion control. My husband gave me chocolate-covered strawberries the other day and I had one. It was delicious. I loved it. I just didn't have six.

-- Jami Silus, Plymouth, Minnesota

Sweeney: I recently tried on a pair of pants that were so high-waisted they were totally unflattering. I immediately went to this place of, it's my fault that my body doesn't look good in these pants. But it wasn't my fault. They were made for someone who is 5-foot-9 -- not 5-foot-5 like me. So I try to be more accepting of my body. It's important for me to set a good example for my daughter in terms of my self-image. I no longer hide myself when I wear a bikini. I try to be proud of the body I have. Some days I still struggle with my self-criticism. But when she compliments me on the way I look I say "thank you" and I compliment her right back. I want to be a good role model for my daughter, so she'll feel good about herself, too.