Jessica Alba: ‘If I work out four times, I consider it a successful week’

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Jessica Alba covers the October issue of Shape Magazine. Is she sort of bland? For sure. But after disliking her for years, I have legitimately come around on Alba. I’m sort of a fan now. Alba covers Shape to talk about The Honest Company and all of the new lines they’re creating, like I guess they have a new line of Honest makeup, shampoo, etc. Most of the interview is just the standard stuff, like she gives makeup tips and workout advice. Some highlights:

The worst part of working out: “I don’t like the smell of scalp sweat. Ugh!”

On not feeling guilty about skipping a workout: “If I work out four times, I consider it a successful week. But it’s typically more like two to three days a week because that’s what I have time for. I take Spin or hot yoga classes in the morning, and I sacrifice sleep to fit them in. For me, the benefits of exercise are more mental than physical. Working out takes away that little edge so that I feel happier and more productive and my brain can get kick-started.”

On how the right food can make all the difference: “With exercise, I get a little more toned and I definitely feel stronger, but my diet is much more important if I’m trying to slim down. In that case, I usually don’t eat gluten, dairy, fried foods or processed foods. I try to stick to a diet that’s low in sugar and carbs and high in lean protein and vegetables.”

On saving room for indulgences: “I’m not big on carbs, but…some of my Honest colleagues and I just ate like a gallon of popcorn! Also, while I don’t usually have dessert, I do really like strawberry shortcake. I mean I really, really like it.”

On her everyday tried-and-true beauty tips: “When it comes to my daily beauty routine, I concentrate on enhancing the features that I like—namely, my eyes and lips and the tops of my cheekbones—and covering up the things I don’t, like my dark circles and certain little capillaries. I’ll even do a slightly smoky eye for daytime or a bold lip. One makeup trick I use every day is spot concealing. I do it under my eyes or just around my nose—that’s where I get a little bit red. I put concealer there, then follow with some powder between my eyebrows, around the sides of my nose, and under my bottom lip. I used to think you had to set your makeup and cover your whole face with powder. But that just makes you look old. Put powder only where you really need it.

[From Shape]

Re: workouts… I’m the same way, at least with the number. My golden number is four workouts a week, Monday-Wednesday-Friday-Saturday. If I only get three workouts, I feel like a slug, and if I do five, I’m exhausted. That being said, I dislike classes so much. CB loves them – she used to do spin and now she does Zumba. I wouldn’t work out if those were my only options! I just like cardio (treadmill and bike) and weight training. I like to get into my own zone and do my own thing. And Alba’s right, working out “takes away that little edge so that I feel happier.” I’ve gotten addicted to the endorphins, I think.

Also: I ebb and flow with popcorn as a snack, but lately I’ve been very pro-popcorn. Peanuts are another favorite!

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Photos courtesy of Adam Franzino/SHAPE Magazine.

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7 Responses to “Jessica Alba: ‘If I work out four times, I consider it a successful week’”

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  1. Jenns says:

    My friends swear by barre classes, so I took one and it was the worst thing ever. I felt like a clumsy hippo trying to figure out how to hold that damn ball between my calf and thighs.

    • Beebee says:

      That is the EXACT feeling I get, except I refer to myself as the “elephant” in the room. I am not overweight, but my figure is more of the hourglass up top, I have a large chest and I think that barre looks more visually appealing for lean, tall and thin-types. We may get a workout that is really good for us, but it does not look nice while we’re doing it. Because my body is not like the others, the instructor usually tries to help me out and coach me through a large portion of the class, which just ends up bringing more attention my way. No thanks. 🙂

      I’ll stick to spinning, pilates and TRX when I get the special chance.

  2. mkyarwood says:

    Lucky if I get one in, but it’s consistent, and it’s a full day kind of idea with yoga in the AM, hike and swim, yoga in the evening. If I try to get stuff happening in the middle of the week, I end up frustrated and mad at my wonderful, perfect snowflake family. I’m an avid gardener, so that helps during some of the year too.

  3. Norman Bates' Mother says:

    If I work out three times, I consider it a succesful year.

  4. thaliasghost says:

    Alba should consider who buys the magazines she is on, pays to see the movies she is in (is she still acting?) etc. It’s not the people in her income bracket who can afford to have that kind of lifestyle that allows for all that she is talking about.

  5. Kate says:

    Four times a week is my goal too. Most weeks I make it. Some weeks I hit the couch with a pop tart after work

  6. Britt says:

    I’m currently training four times a week for my black belt grading in Tae won Do which is on Saturday (Australia).

    I can’t wait until it’s over so I can drink scotch in the sauna.