Kristen Bell Answers Your Biggest Health Questions
When we found out that Kristen Bell, of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Gossip Girl fame, had nearly a half million Twitter followers, including oodles of SELF readers, we did what any true friend would do: introduced you all and got the conversation going.
You chimed in with tons of questions for the Detroit native, who is having a pretty busy year. She's starring in a new Showtime comedy about boardroom intrigue, House of Lies, this month's feel-good release Big Miracle, and later this year, Outrun, a film directed by her longtime partner, Dax Shepard. But she made time to respond to our queries with some of her truly stellar secret strategies. Try one or try them all, and you'll love Bell-and yourself-even more!
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1. What's your favorite exercise move? -Liz Stark via Facebook
Here's the one that packs the most punch. I call it The Bowler: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and bend slightly at the waist, holding a 5-pound weight in your right hand. Squat, then swing your right hand up and left, across your body, and sweep your right foot to the left behind you, as if you're bowling. Do about eight on each side. It's amazing for the butt cheeks!
2. How do you splurge? -Anastasia Nicole Fry via Facebook
Salted chocolate drives me wild. I'm not a big spender, but I do like buying kitchen tools. I've ordered all the ways you can cut a strawberry and that ring to cook an egg in a heart shape.
3. What's your favorite way to relax? -Amanda Haughton via Facebook
I love to cook. I have a tiny Italian grandmother inside me. If someone walks in, I'm like, "Let me make you a sandwich!" We all have a giving-love language and a receiving-love language. I show love by cooking. When people have patience with me, I feel so loved. Dax is extremely patient with me.
4. How would you describe your style? -@kungfookate via Twitter
I'm a T-shirt-and-jeans girl. I like J Brand. They leave room for the booty, and for my size, I've got a bit of a caboose.
See more: How to Dine Out and Still Lose Weight
5. As a vegetarian, what do you eat? -Rachel Robinson via Facebook
I've been a vegetarian since I was 11, because I couldn't understand why if we didn't eat the dog I should eat a burger. I love animals, and I stand by my values. So in the morning, I have an apple and, if we have leftover pizza, I scrape the toppings into egg whites. Pizza eggs are better than you can imagine! For lunch, I'll have a big salad and a veggie burger. I'm a fan of multicourse dinners. Last night, I made brussels sprouts baked with balsamic vinegar, grapes and walnuts; butternut squash ravioli; and a "garbage disposal" salad, which is everything in the veggie and fruit drawers: lentils, spinach, romaine, blueberries, cucumbers, raspberries, almonds, carrots and avocado. Literally anything. You don't even need a dressing because there are so many tastes.
6. What do you do to work out? -Erin Kilbride-Vincent via Facebook
I mostly go for hour-long hikes with friends, but sometimes, I'll do pilates or 20 minutes of calisthenics, like push-ups and sit-ups. I go through spurts. Working out for me has nothing to do with body image-I refuse to look in the mirror and hate myself. My goal isn't to change my body; it's to make my body happy.
7. How do you stay so positive? -Sara Workman via Facebook
I love my therapist. When I have an issue that I need to work through, going to therapy gives me a bigger toolbox to do so. Talking with friends helps, too. I can say crazy things to my friends, things I'm embarrassed to admit, like "I feel so ugly or worthless today." They say, "What? You're nuts!" Having good, real friends builds your self-esteem exponentially.
Related: 6 Secrets to Firing Up Your Metabolism
8. Which of your habits would you say you are most, and least, proud of? -@lucydanziger via Twitter
I'm proud of my patience. I've worked really hard to curb my natural impatience by realizing that everyone is doing the best they can. I'm least proud of my ability to be lazy and procrastinate by spending time on my computer or in front of the TV, watching America's Funniest Home Videos, the greatest show on television. To anybody who pooh-poohs it, I say, "Just give it 30 minutes."
9. What have you learned from travel? -@bikelady via Twitter
Living in Los Angeles, it's easy to get swept up and think, If I had this new dress, I'd feel beautiful. It can be hard to separate your wants from your actual needs. But recently, I went to Uganda and Rwanda with Invisible Children [which helps stop the abduction of children for use as child soldiers], and to Ethiopia with Charity Water [which helps provide safe drinking water]. I saw how little you need to be happy and that it's a choice. Buying things may gratify you, but it won't make you happy.
10. Who is the better biker? You or Dax? -@niftybuttons via Twitter
There's no comparison! I can barely walk in a straight line, let alone move in one when I'm on a vehicle that has wheels. Dax grew up as a dirt biker. He's always doing tricks that terrify me. Even so, we ride to brunch or dinner or ice cream all the time.
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11. Are you witty like your characters, not taking yourself too seriously? -Heather Genessy via Facebook
No way. I'm not funny at all. I'm intensely serious. I mean, I'd like to think I'm funny, but I really can't guarantee that anyone agrees.
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