Celebrity Chef Devin Alexander Shares Her Favorite Recipes & Weight Loss Journey

Media Personality, Healthy Comfort Food Chef, Weight Loss Expert, and New York Times Bestselling Author, Devin Alexander, is the Chef of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” and the author of 8 cookbooks including “The Biggest Loser Cookbook” Series and “The Most Decadent Diet Ever”.  Devin’s unique approach to healthy cooking and her motivational personal story have landed her regular appearances on talk, news, weight loss and fitness shows for over a decade, making her America’s Go-To Expert for decadence without consequence.

Devin has shared her secrets through frequent appearances on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Biggest Loser, Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, The View, FOX, CNN, and others, and through over 500 magazine features including Prevention, Men’s Health and Shape. She’s coached thousands of pounds off others and has maintained her own 70-pound weight loss for close to 30 years.  She truly lives and eats her message: you don’t have to deprive yourself to be fit and healthy.

Lets get to know some health & fitness secrets from Devin Alexander as she catches up with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You have had a spectacular journey being the host of Healthy Decadence on Discovery Health and Fit TV from 2007-2011, Host of “America’s Chefs on Tour” on PBS and through frequent appearances on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Biggest Loser, Dr. Oz, Access Hollywood Live, The Doctors, Dr. Drew, The View, OMG Insider, Dr. Phil, FOX, Style Network and many more. Walk us through your culinary journey and tell us how it all began?

Ms. Devin Alexander:

My Italian Grandmother taught me to cook from a very young age…and I always say that cooking is the only true talent I have. Unfortunately, loving food so much and not being as knowledgeable as I could have been, I tipped the scales at 200 pounds as a 15 year old.  Desperate to lose weight…and with NO willpower, I figured out that I could re-engineer my favorite foods to shed the extra pounds so I would stop being bullied in high school. And it worked; I dropped 70 pounds. I planned to be a screenwriter, so moved to LA after college having been recruited by the Television Academy (you know, the people who hand out the Emmy’s).

I started volunteering at charity events (cooking) in an attempt to make nice friends since I knew no one in LA. In the process, some celebrities figured out that I could cook healthy food that tasted super fattening. I wound up going to culinary school after being woo-ed to be a private chef and fell into owning a catering business. Tired of lugging groceries and realizing my passion was helping people enjoy food…and “Have it All”, I took a job at Muscle & Fitness Magazine to learn the media side of things and to begin to reach a mass audience.  It worked like a charm and I’m now proud to say that this New Years Eve has marked 12 years of my doing regular national TV spots (Good Morning America had me demonstrating a healthy, last minute New Years Eve party on New Years Eve morning back in 2004).

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You are a world leading Media Personality, Multi-time New York Times Bestselling Author, Restaurateur, Healthy Comfort Food Chef, and Weight Loss Expert. Introduce us to a day in your remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle.

Ms. Devin Alexander:

Ha!  No day is the same and that’s part of the reason I LOVE my job! When we hire new team members, we tell them outright that we don’t know what the job is…they need to be up for anything (within reason, obviously!). There are times I cook all day most days…and times I go weeks without really being in the kitchen because I’m off inspiring people through speaking. I’ve toured the country shooting the PBS Show and spent 28 days straight on a cruise ship where I’d licensed my restaurant! I run around shooting photos for social media and shoot videos for various series I’m working on. I also spend a lot of time with other entrepreneurs. I’m part of Entrepreneur’s Organization and also a Mastermind Group. I went to a kid-like summer camp for top tier executives last year too. I think it’s so important to always been learning from others…and it’s GREAT to have people who truly care about me lovingly point out where my shortfalls might be so I can continue to grow and create an impact.

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All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness

 

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine?

Ms. Devin Alexander:

These days I mostly play tennis and beach tennis…along with doing power walks with girlfriends and colleagues on a regular basis. I used to be an avid runner but I was in a car accident just over a year ago that has made that impossible. I hope to return to that…and weigh lifting (light weights)…when my body returns to it’s fully healed state.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Share with us your diet plan that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit.

Ms. Devin Alexander:

I eat what I “really want” to eat. I gave up the diet mentality years ago and I don’t count calories (which always shocks people) given that I’ve pretty much been the same weight for the better part of the last 20 years! I don’t eat fried foods or fast foods ever – because they just don’t make me feel good and I don’t crave them. I have makeovers that I love on that front. Beyond that, I eat about 5 times a day and most of my meals are comprised of 4 ounces of lean protein, lots of veggies and a normal portion (not restaurant-sized portion) of whole grains…and then I throw in Devinly Delites ( my brownies) and other treats for good measure…without allowing myself to feel guilty!  I have a very healthy relationship with food, which I feel so grateful for since I literally spent years in Over Eater’s Anonymous decades ago after being a yo yo dieter and seriously bullied! I never even imagined my life today…free from food angst! 🙂

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Give us Your Top 5 Hair and Skincare Tips.

Ms. Devin Alexander:

Ah, I’m blushing!!! Honestly, most of it is healthy food…and “not worrying about it”.  I have never colored my hair and I don’t use hair spray or any hair product regularly. I’ve only ever once (in the 80’s – lol!) had a perm. So beyond using my all-time favorite shampoo and conditioner (Aussie!), I don’t do anything for my hair. I rarely use a blow dryer and I don’t even own a hair brush (also surprising to people). I’m a “shower and go” type. Skincare also comes down to healthy food and drinking enough water (which I do!) as the primary, if you ask me.  I do have a number of products I’ve been using in my 40s from Murad and derma e and Bliss Spa…before that, I did nothing! :p

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You have created an incredible benchmark by maintaining your 70-pound weight loss for close to 30 years. What advice and tips can you give to our readers looking to do the same?

Ms. Devin Alexander:

Resolve NEVER to follow a diet again. Focus on making sure you drink enough water, eat the recommended servings of fruits and veggies and then become intimate with your cravings and make sure you don’t eat mindlessly. If you love pizza, why? You like a certain crust? You crave pepperoni and that’s your vehicle for it? Is it the gooey cheese? If you become clear on what part of foods feel indulgent to you, you can create dishes you LOVE that truly nurture and NEVER feel deprived. It’s super easy, but it’s not what people think they should do. For some reason, we all think we need to starve or have willpower or count calories or beat ourselves up or rot in a gym, none of which are true! Once you master it, it’s like magic! 🙂

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in this field?

Ms. Devin Alexander:

Wow…my passion is my biggest motivator!  And my greatest influence would be the individuals who have put their trust in me to help them lose weight.  To be honest, doing what I do keeps me on track to stay fit myself, too.  That said, I’ve been influenced and assisted by so so many people I couldn’t begin to name them. As I mentioned, I think it’s so important to help my fellow expert friends and give back as much as possible! I’m currently writing a book for the American Diabetes Association!

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Share with us a few of your famous Devinly™ Decadent secrets!

Ms. Devin Alexander:

My brand is about enjoyment!  My biggest secrets are: Never follow a diet.  Avoid the fads and anything starvation related.  Passion in life is key to being fit (it’s so easy to overeat if you’re not “busy” living life to the fullest). “Workouts” should be fun not dreadful – if you hate going to the gym, when was the last time you did a silly childhood physical activity or even just walked with a girlfriend?  If this all sounds too “out there”…go to www.devinalexander.com or follow me on facebook for recipes and ideas how to make this “too good to be true” approach work for you!

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Since we’ve entered the age of “Superfoods”, what according to you are the Top 5 Superfoods of 2017?

Ms. Devin Alexander:

I think Watermelon seeds are on the rise, ugly produce is going to be a big deal, people will be tripping over everything bean flour (chickpea flour is being used in so many items from brownies to crackers and pasta), savory granola bars and purple veggies (have you tried purple carrots, yet?)

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You have been associated with the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, the American Culinary Federation’s Chef Child Foundation and spent years as Larry King Foundation’s Go-To-Chef to speak on “Obesity in America”. Tell us how have you been able to achieve and quench your thirst of giving back to the society through these endeavors?

Ms. Devin Alexander:

As I mentioned, my career “found me” through charity!  I think it’s so important to always give back! It horrifies me that someone is diagnosed with diabetes every 23 minutes in the US. That’s why I’m working on the book I’m currently working on! There’s no need for so much struggle. We just need to educate people and show them that there are amazing dishes they can eat! It makes me feel so good every time someone tells me that my work has made a difference for them…and keeps me going!

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding chefs who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in this field?

Ms. Devin Alexander:

Know that although it all appears glamorous, it’s such hard hard work!  I work crazy hours and have sacrificed a lot in my personal life because it makes me feel so good to know that I can play a part in creating change.  And, in return, I have gotten to experience some incredible things, meet amazing people and live my dream.  But anyone who knows me will tell you that that’s only half the story. Being in this world is not easy (especially for a woman) and being in the public eye can be painful if you don’t have thick skin (I’m getting better at that). If you LOVE cooking and can’t imagine doing anything else, forge ahead a million percent. If you’re doing it because being on TV seems so cool, you’re going to face a life of frustration!

And if you are super hard-working and want to be part of a super collaborative team, I’ve hired most of my team from within after a 1-semester internship. So if you’re in school and want to learn and work hard, you’re always welcomed to reach out to my team. Every current team member (and most of the people who’ve thrived here) proved themselves to be exceptional interns and I snagged them and offered them full jobs before they even finished the internship. It’s a tough market out there for employers – especially those of us on camera. So many people don’t’ think they need to learn and train before they become an internet sensation. Sure a few get lucky. But for most, it takes YEARS of hard work and dedication to the craft. So plan to work your way up. If you’re great and work hard, I promise that you’ll succeed!

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?

Ms. Devin Alexander:

I believe that there’s no point it being healthy if you’re not happy.  And you can’t truly be happy if you’re not healthy.  I love that WomenFitness.net provides resources and examples of so many of us who DO have both!!

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