I live my love at 125. I count calories; I work out daily. I just joined a triathlon group and got a triathlon coach. I’ve done a few, but I want to be a real triathlete and get a sponsorship. How cool would that be?
* When did weight become an issue for
you?
In high school I was a nationally ranked
synchronized swimmer. I never considered it exercise. When I quit
my sport, I never substituted with the gym. I ate large pizzas at
one sitting because that’s what you did. I remember distinctly when
I gained that first five pounds. It took me to 121 and I thought,
“Oh my God, I’m obese!” I put on my stretch pants and a big sweater
and started growing from there.
Ali before at 234
lbs
* When you started gaining where did you
shop?
I hated shopping. It was horrible. My mom would
bring home things. In the last few years, I found a store, Torrid, which is like
Forever 21 for bigger girls. I also
stuck to department stores and Lane Bryant. In bigger clothes you
always feel like you’re an old lady. I don’t know who decided that
you want elastic and cats and animals on your clothes. Just because
I’m overweight doesn’t mean I want a kitty cat on my
shirt.
* So there was nothing trendy in other
words?
When "Biggest Loser" started and they told me to
get clothes for interviews, they said "no patterns and no
black." I’m like, “Have you ever seen a heavy girls’ closet? I
don’t have anything other than that!” I was definitely that girl
that leaned on handbags and shoes because they never disappointed
me.
* When you’re losing weight, shopping presents a different kind of problem. Did you stop shopping or only invest in a few pieces as you dropped the weight? In Arizona we have a store called Buffalo Exchange for secondhand clothes. I went there a lot. My sister put out the SOS to friends who lent me things in a range of sizes. When I wasn’t at work I lived in my exercise clothes. One of my projects right now is a ‘Believe It, Be It’ active wear line that will range in size from 4 to 54 that will keep in mind all the things that made me comfortable or uncomfortable while I was loosing. Those pieces are either just not available or they’re extraordinarily expensive. The truth is, people who really need it don’t have a lot of money and if you’re really trying to size down don’t want to spend a lot.
YES! It
became a little bit of a problem for a second. Nobody in their
right mind should be spending this much on
clothes.
* You must have been
excited.
One night when I was on the show we were going to dinner at
Russel Crow’s restaurant in Australia and I had nothing to wear—I
was going through sizes so fast I was cinching up these size 12
jeans with a belt. It looked ridiculous. I had a half an hour and
ran into this store. I was able to pick something off of the rack.
It was one of the most exciting moments. So liberating to know I
can fit into anything now and it’s a matter of whether or not I
want to wear it, not whether it fits.
* Which designers fit your new shape the
best?
I just bought a lot of dresses from Trina Turk and
Nanette Lepore. I love Miss Sixty, Sevens jeans, Joes jeans, Hudson
jeans. I had never really had a pair of designer jeans before. I
never understood it. It frustrated me when my sister would spend
$150 on jeans. I’d say “What’s the big deal?” Now, I love it. My
nieces borrow my clothes.
Ali now at 125
lbs
* What’s the one item you were most excited to
wear?
Boots
that went past my calves. I have big calves, muscle but fat on top.
It’s still a little hard, but after the
show I was able to get a pair of those
that go right below your knee.
* What are your wardrobe staples these
days?
Boyfriend blazers. I love shredded denim. I have a
couple pairs of skinny jeans but lately I’m more comfortable in
straight leg. I always have high heels on.
* Are there certain trends that you stay away
from?
Well, ‘80s shoulders. I haven’t done
that. The only way I’d choose a big shoulder is if it had a deep
V-neck. I like to show my collarbones. My collarbones, my shoulders
and my arms. Before, I was so uncomfortable with my arms. Every
shirt I owned was either ¾ length or full length sleeves— and I
lived in Arizona. That’s hard to do! Now, look in my closet and
everything’s pretty much a halter or a tank
top.
* Do you still feel self-conscious?
Yes, are you kidding? I went
from 234 to 122 in 5 months. I have loose skin. My stomach has
stretch marks and my legs, when I lay down, you can see the skin.
When I’m in a plank position I have skin that hangs from the center
of my stomach. I remember talking to Jillian Michael’s about it and
she said, “Oh shut up Ali!
Really?”
* What’s the best advice Jillian ever gave
you?
Why not me? We were talking one day on the ranch and she said “Why
not you? Why shouldn’t you have everything you want in life?” And
it’s true. Why shouldn’t you have everything your heart desires? We
can all have it. It’s not because you do that it takes away from
somebody else. If I’m not going to want it, nobody else is going to
want it for me or do it for me. It’s ok to say you want more.
That’s the best piece of advice I’ve ever heard.
For more of Ali's tips, be sure to pick up a copy of
her new book, in stores now! Believe It, Be It
