* Marilu Henner, 46, Los Angeles, actress, dancer and author
* Married to Rob Leiber, two children, Nicky and Joey
* 5 feet 7, 121 pounds
The actress of Taxi and Evening Shade fame will be in South Florida on Wednesday promoting her new book, Marilu Henner’s Total Health Makeover (ReganBooks). She recently finished performing in the musical Chicago and can be seen with Jim Carrey in the upcoming movie, Man on the Moon, about the life of Andy Kaufman.
* How she got started in fitness: In her book, Henner says she has tried more than 200 diets, has been to three nutritionists, two personal trainers and a therapist, none of which worked. She says that in 1979 she learned about combining foods for proper digestion _ that at every meal she must either eat one type of food (such as protein or starch) or combine specific foods that can be digested easily. Once 30 to 50 pounds overweight, a yo-yo dieter with bad skin, little energy and frequent colds, Henner says she now enjoys stabilized weight, increased stamina, clear skin and a renewed sense of well-being. Her book chronicles her long road to fitness in words and photos.
* Training regimen: Basically, I stretch for five minutes and then I do the treadmill for 20 minutes or I will put a music cassette tape on and dance around my house or dance with my kids until the tape ends. If the weather permits, I like to walk outside. I aim for seven days a week, but I usually get in five workouts.
* Favorite activity: Entertaining people in my home and bringing people together.
* Eating habits: Generally I try to have a fruit breakfast, protein lunch and a starch dinner. I recently had a favorite starch dinner of mine: grilled portobello mushroom, an arugula salad, pasta with porcini mushrooms with truffle oil and a piece of bread dipped in olive oil. I don’t eat small meals, but I know the rules. I gave up chicken in 1981, just because I didn’t like the way it tasted to me anymore. I also gave up red meat in 1979.
* Favorite pigout foods: Sushi. I find it works well with food combining as long as I have soybeans or edamame [green soybeans). The rice and the soybeans make the protein, and it works well with the fish. If I don’t have the edamame, I feel terrible.
* Motivation: I have great children, a great husband, and I adore my family. The people in my life keep me going.
* Advice: People always say they want to get healthy. I always say, how do we know what healthy feels like? When you start doing healthy things you will recognize the difference and know what healthy is. Take one aspect, like cutting out sugar. Do it for three weeks _ anybody can do anything for three weeks. The energy you feel will change and motivate you to want to try the next step.
In my book, there are 10 steps to a total makeover and healthier lifestyle. You don’t have to jump right in and do all of them, but a few minor changes make a big difference.
_ MARLO MAIMONE
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