Daisy Fuentes says she's stronger and leaner than she's ever been, her muscles elongated, rather than bulked. She's more flexible and stands taller. And she's gone after those benefits — as well as general health benefits — with determination.
Fuentes, who was in Salt Lake City recently to promote a new television show, "StyleWorld," takes fitness seriously. She has, in fact, built a career in large part on how she looks and on feeling good. But she said it's something absolutely anyone can do.
"I'm constantly scrutinized about the way I look. I can do the most amazing job, but if I don't look good, I'm criticized. And I love fashion, so that's a big motivation for me."
Her new show, in fact, combines her love of fitness and fashion with her love of shopping, travel, art and local cuisine from around the world. It's "style in every sense."
Her personal-style secret is Pilates, something she's been studying at a studio for nearly five years. Pilates focuses on stretching, flexibility, balance and muscle toning. A friend recently came out with a mat version, where the workout takes place half on machines and half on mats.
"It's the same workout if you can't get to a studio or afford to buy expensive machines or take formal lessons, really."
But as with all fitness routines, "you have to do the work. It doesn't just happen," Fuentes said in a telephone interview. "This is a workout I can do and enjoy, and that's half the battle. You have to do the workout, but it's the most pleasant workout I've found, and I do it about three times a week for about an hour at a time."
Pilates alone won't keep you healthy though. She gets her aerobic exercise hiking a couple of times a week.
"I'm not good at working out," she said, "and I'm not fanatical about it."
Nutrition's also key, she said. "You can't do one without the other and get results." The supermodel and television host ("America's Funniest Home Videos" and MTV) admits she is by inclination "a fat eater."
"As long as I stay away from junk food and eat lean meat and low fat, as well as small portions for the most part, I'm fine. I love cooking, being creative in the kitchen making yummy stuff with no fat, like fat-free chicken broth using spices instead of oil. I do everything with spices and have found ways of making stuff taste good — you know, satisfy your taste buds without going crazy."
Carrying excess weight isn't healthy, but to lose as little as 10 pounds, she said, "you have to sacrifice something at least initially."
People who avoid "bad carbs" and work out regularly will lose weight.
That doesn't mean the good (eating) times are over, she added. As you maintain and tone up, you can eat a little bit of everything.
Benefits of general fitness include being both mentally and physically sharp, she said.
E-MAIL: lois@desnews.com