Already have an account?
Get back to the

Interview!

ICYMI Freddie Smith Interview

"Days of our Lives" Set
Freddie Smith "Days of our Lives" Set NBC Studios Burbank 06/09/17 © XJJohnson/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661 Credit: JPI

Instagram

Soap Opera Digest: You’ve shared photos on social media of your nearly 20-pound weight loss. What prompted you to begin a fitness routine?
Freddie Smith: After the holidays, I gained more weight than I’m used to. I like to have a certain number that I never go over, and I found that I allowed that to happen, so I just really buckled down.

Digest: What was the first step?
Smith: I began a 90-day fitness [regimen]. I just cut out a lot of the bad food, and I [started] going to the gym.

Digest: Was it hard to get on a new program?
Smith: Yes, and no. It’s not fun giving up the things you love to eat. At the same time, I always share with people that when you’re eating bad foods five times a day, you’re only happy for 30 minutes. But if you’re in shape, eating healthy, and you feel great 24 hours a day, it’s worth giving up those 30 minutes of guilty pleasures to feel great 24 hours a day.

Digest: How did you do it?
Smith: The main thing of how I lost weight was that I cut out alcohol for the first 45 days, which really jump-starts your metabolism. I also cut out all sugars and carbs. The only carbs I would eat would be quinoa, Ezekiel bread and brown rice. Everything else was just meat, vegetables and lots of water. If you eat every three hours, drink a gallon of water and just eat super-clean, with no alcohol, and even go to the gym for 20-30 minutes a day, your diet alone is going to shed the weight. It’s not fun, but it’s definitely worth getting to your goal weight so then you can actually enjoy a little more with moderation.

Digest: How do you work your new regimen into your schedule?
Smith: It boils down to priorities. Someone might choose happy hour, game night, or watching television over working out. My No. 1 priority is the show. I’m hired to do excellent work in that character, and that is where my 110 percent effort goes to in that time frame. I sleep seven hours a day. I don’t play video games. I’m going to the gym. I’m reading books. I’m building my business. I’m helping people. On Friday night, at 6 o’clock, [my girlfriend] Alyssa and I shut our cell phones off and go out. We’re unplugged, from Friday at 6 p.m. until Saturday noon. I’m completely off the grid. It’s our time. Then we turn it back on Saturday at noon, and then we’re looking at what emails came through, and we plan our week. It all makes sense. I don’t know what I was doing before I started scheduling. It’s truly the key to maximize your time.

Digest: What keeps you motivated?
Smith: I just feel more confident when I don’t have to worry about my weight. So that was my motivation, to just cut the weight and use moderation. It’s been working well. I’ve been feeling good.

Digest: When did you start seeing results?
Smith: I would say in the first three weeks, I started to see results, but it takes about two months for other people to start noticing. That’s the gain. Do it for yourself the first three weeks, and then in two months, every single person I knew mentioned my weight loss. Once everyone started noticing, I felt like a million bucks. It’s like, “Oh, people are noticing. It must be working!”

Digest: What is your best tip for someone else looking to get in shape?
Smith: Putting [fitness] into their schedule. That’s the thing people miss. It’s putting your workout and meal prep into your schedule. You can get the most out of the day if you schedule everything in your life. You’re able to take control of what you’re doing. This is something I’m super-passionate about, and I’ve been speaking more about it, because I’ve just made such a huge change in my life. I feel like I have the secret to life. Anything you want to change in your life, it all starts with you.

Digest: Why have you chosen to share your story?
Smith: Anyone who loses weight gets this weird sense of confidence. It’s like, “Yeah, look at my hard work.” I’m talking a big game. If you see a picture of me in three months and I’ve regained the weight, people will think, “What a poser.” The more you put yourself out there, the more you have to stay accountable, and that’s what has made me really happy about social media. It keeps me accountable. I have to live by what I preach.

The right stuff By Rachel Graham

A good, balanced diet is what you need for a healthy life. But, what does that mean? It means eating foods that give you all of the nutrients and fiber that your body needs to function at optimal levels.

A balanced diet should contain lean protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and whole grain fiber. A protein-rich diet (I am talking about organic poultry, wild fish, nuts and beans) is good for losing weight, as it leaves us feeling fuller for longer, reducing the risk of mid-afternoon snacking. Complex carbs (brown rice, quinoa or whole wheat pasta) are essential diet staples, and contain plenty of nutrients and fiber that our bodies need to function. A balanced diet also includes getting enough rest and exercise (both weight training and cardio).

So, what does a “diet plan” look like? When it comes to weight loss, portion size is key.

Day 1
Breakfast: A bowl of nonfat Greek yogurt topped with berries and some unsweetened granola.
Lunch: Grilled chicken breast without skin with a baked sweet potato, and a small side salad with lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.
Dinner: Oven baked salmon, whole grain noodles tossed with 1 Tbsp. of pesto and cherry tomatoes.
Snack: A hard-boiled egg, an apple and 8 raw almonds.

Day 2
Breakfast: A simple smoothie that is high in fiber and low in calories and sugar made with fresh fruit, greens and whey protein powder. It’s the perfect way to start your day.
Lunch: Salad of mixed greens, grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon, and fresh raw veggies.
Dinner: Baked chicken (no skin) with roasted sweet potato and Brussels sprouts.
Snack: Peanut butter and an apple and a hard-boiled egg.

Day 3
Breakfast: A bowl of oatmeal and mixed berries.
Lunch: Tuna salad (no mayo) with mixed greens and beans (either garbanzo or cannellini beans) with balsamic vinaigrette drizzled over salad.
Dinner: Grilled shrimp (or other seafood) with baked sweet potato and steamed broccoli.
Snack: Melon with small, lowfat cottage cheese and 8 raw almonds.

These meals can be repeated for the week. The key is to eat whole meals that are well-balanced and will keep you satiated.
Drink plenty of water (sparkling or still). You may have red wine, but no juice or soda!

Rachel Graham is a Board Certified Health Counselor (AADP) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), as well as a clinical therapist and nutritionist. For more information, go to www.livehealthynyc.com. Contact Rachel at rachel@livehealthynyc.com.

Comments