Carmen Electra Interview

When you see Carmen Electra’s svelte physique, you’d never imagine she loves regular soda and doesn’t even have a trainer. With a bucket of Cokes on ice, Carmen sat down with OK! to give us the lowdown on her diet tricks and healthy rituals.

You’ve always had a great body, but do you think there’s overwhelming pressure in Hollywood to be super-skinny?

Definitely. There can be pressure to be thin. I think it’s okay as long as it doesn’t get to you and overwhelm your life. If you are thinking every day, “I have to get to the gym” and “I have to lose this weight,” and that’s all you think about and you obsess over it, it’s not healthy. You have to find what works for you. Every person is different. I definitely think you should be healthy about it.

Have you ever felt that pressure?

In the back of my mind I’ve always had a little bit of that pressure. I think it comes from my dance background. I did classical ballet for years, and in ballet, the girls are super-skinny. I remember when I turned 12, I started to get some curves and my body started to fill out a little bit. The teachers weren’t happy with that. I always felt like I needed to somehow get that straight-up-and-down body. I really needed to embrace my body and find a weight that felt good for me and figure out how to maintain my weight in a healthy way.

How do you keep your amazing figure?

I’ve been taking NV, a weight-loss beauty pill, for about eight months. Some people take it to lose weight, but I’ve been taking it to maintain my weight because I’m happy with my body the way it is. It has hoodia and green tea, which give me energy to go to the gym. I also like NV because it’s not just a weight-loss pill but a beauty pill that has collagen, which is really good for your hair, skin and nails. But it’s also important to go to the gym and work out.

Do you work out with a trainer?

I don’t. I used to about seven years ago. But I think that when I do work out, I have a lot of discipline from my dance background. So I feel okay working out without a trainer. I don’t feel like I need to be pushed. I have a routine that I like and I go by my own pace. If I’m tired and I don’t feel like going, I don’t push myself. I think it’s important to listen to your body.

And your body craves regular Coke? I hear you have about six to eight cans a day?

I don’t drink coffee, so this is how I get caffeine laughs.

What are some of your favorite foods?

Pizza! And I love sweets. I have a constant sweet tooth, so I like anything from the bakery, like cupcakes, cookies. I like that really rich icing, the kind you grew up with as a kid.

Those don’t sound too waist-friendly. What are some healthy snacks you enjoy?

I like rice cakes. I like the flavored ones, like caramel or cheddar. For some reason I only crave fruit when I’m in a tropical place — if it’s really hot in the summer or if I go to a tropical island for work. But otherwise I really don’t crave it. But it’s a great snack if you’re dieting.

Which diets have you tried?

I tried the no-carb diet for a while, but now I’m eating pizza and bread. I’m not afraid of carbs like before.

Many women share your hatred of running and sit-ups, but they go crazy for your Stripaerobics DVDs.

I know! They do so well. I couldn’t be happier. It’s been great, because I’ve been able to connect with women and let them know “I’m cheering for you!” and just to try to give little tips that have helped me through the years.

Will you be coming out with more DVDs?

This month I am going to shoot a new aerobic striptease, and I’m very excited about it. I’m not sure exactly what it’s going to be yet; I think we just locked down a choreographer.

Your schedule is always so jam-packed. Do you ever sleep?

I try to. I think sleep is really important. I’m an eight hours kind of sleeper, so I definitely try to schedule that in.

Is there anything that helps you sleep?

If I truly want to relax, yoga helps. It’s great because of the breathing. And meditation really helps.

Interview by Karen Berg