Ali Landry on her health and fitness while expecting and post-partum

Actress Ali Landry, 34, welcomed Estela Ines on July 11th. With her daughter now 5-months old, Ali talks to OK! about her health and fitness during her pregnancy and the post-partum period.

Click below for the interview.

On her weight gain and cravings during the pregnancy:

I gained 35 lbs. It was such a healthy pregnancy. Iworked out the entire time because it made me feel good. I atehealthier than I have in my life. I drank lots of water. I really havea huge sweet tooth so it was weird that I wasn’t craving sweets, I wascraving fruits and vegetables!

In the beginning, it was the comfort food I grew up with, likepeanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I would get up in the middle of thenight and make them. Orange popsicles were another thing I couldn’tlive without. I felt like I was really going back to everything I lovedas a child.

On getting the weight off:

I reallywasn’t [worried about taking the weight off]. I worked out consistentlymy entire life. I love to eat. I’m from the South so I don’t reallylike to deprive myself of food. I will never turn downhome-cooked Cajun food.

Also, when I go to the movies, I have to havepopcorn and M&Ms. I can’t go to the movies without the combo. IfI’m really trying to watch what I eat, I won’t go to the movies.

On her workout regiment:

Ithought once I had the baby I would run again. Two weeks after she wasborn, I got on the treadmill and I didn’t think about the nursing andthe pain. It hurt! I had to find something else.

I went back to my trusty videos and started doing them — very low-impact. I think I’m losing weight because of my diet [Chefs Diet].I used to work out five days a week, now it’s just two days. I thinkthat’s the lesson there. I’m following a diet, and I think it is aboutdoing just a little bit every day.

Advice to other new moms dealing with health and fitness issues:

I truly feel like women need to give themselves abreak. Things will fall into place, but you really need to take thepressure off yourself.

Source: OK!, January 14th issue, p. 54-55

Comments

Nice to read that she’s another mom who isn’t in a rush to get back into pre-pregnancy shape…though she’s another who needn’t worry in the first place.

And, that’s a cute photo of her and Estela!

- FC on January 5th, 2008

I can totally relate to Ali’s running experience shortly after having a baby. I tried running too and no amount of sports bras could help me. Not only that but the pregnancy weight was too much for my shins and ankles. I switched to walking and that felt much better.

- lissa on January 5th, 2008

I saw recent pictures of her, she looks great like always

- gabriella on January 6th, 2008

Her story makes sense. She seems very real about pregnancy, nursing and being a mom. Her balance at working out two days a week means she’s also with her baby. The same thing happened to me. I lost all the baby weight even with less workouts. I even got below my pre-pregnancy weight with less workouts! Being a mom is the best!

- Jenn on January 6th, 2008