Shape 5/1998
As a teen-ager, cover model Rebecca Romijn (pronounced "romaine") refused to wear shorts - she felt too skinny. "All my friends were thick, round, healthy and had b***s," says the 5-foot-11 inch former Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model. "I wanted to be like them, so I drank heavy cream and ate junk food." The pounds piled on fast.
When Romijn decided to pursue modeling, the 25-year-old who was named GQ's 1997 Woman of the Year got serious about shaping up. "I cut out junk food, which helped a lot," she says. Not an easy task for one who's been known toe keep stashes of goodies in her glove compartment, purse, even her makeup bag, a habit that was practically family tradition. "My mom taught us about nutrition; she even made her own yogurt, breads and granola. But she had a sweeth tooth and kept a hoard of candy hidden way up in her closet."
Now comfortable with her weight, Romijn likes to start her day with a healthy breakfast of cereal with low-fat milk, plain yogurt and decaf coffee. "I have to have some protein in the morning or I'll go crazy," she says. Lunch is her biggest meal, usually steamed vegetables with chicken, fish, steak or lamb, or sometimes pasta. Dinner is a smaller version of lunch.
To keep in shape, Romijn does 30 minuts of cardiovascular exercise and 40 minutes of weight training "whenever I can. Sometimes it's four days in a row, but then I'll be traveling for two weeks and I can't work out." At which point, she doesn't panic: "The more you move around, the better you feel. I walk the dogs or take a stroll on the beach. It's important to be in touch with your body."
As for the future, Romijn has family in mind. "In 10 years, I hope there'll be three kids running around me," she says. And there might even be a second career: A trained singer, Romijn has been logging some studio time lately. "But I don't want to worry about being taken seriously as a singer," she says. "It just feels good now."
Original article: Shape 5/1998
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