Interview: Fergie, Duchess of York

The very passionate and vivacious Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, recently traveled across the pond to visit with the press in Manhattan. A weight loss icon for women around the globe, the Duchess is well known for her long tenure with Weight Watchers, as well as for her charitable works. We sat down for a one-on-one with Fergie, who chatted animatedly about her struggle with weight loss, her goal of encouraging healthy eating, her current role as a spokesperson for French's GourMayo, and her unique position as an international role model.

iVillage: As someone who travels often, how do you find ways to eat a healthful diet on the road?

Duchess of York: It's actually much easier on the road, because the temptation of the fridge doesn't beckon. Also, I don't want to go back to being a fat lady. It took me a long time to lose the fat lady image in my head ‑- a long, long time ‑- and I don't want to go back to fat suits. If I go back to fat suits, it means that I'm eating again for the wrong reasons. People overeat, I believe, in order to compensate for feelings they're not dealing with. If I get large again, it means there are feelings I'm not dealing with. When you're on the road, you just know your boundaries. End of story.

iVillage: Does being a weight loss role model for so many make it easier or harder to maintain weight loss?

Duchess of York: It provides a challenge. It provides a kind of pressure, because you're constantly being looked up and down. It's not a nice feeling. But actually it's really good because it keeps you within your weight. Of course, once you decide you're going to eat, you can always justify... it doesn't matter what anyone does, because you are completely determined to sabotage yourself through food ‑- I know those feelings.

iVillage: People hear a lot about your healthy diet, but not as much about your exercise regimen. What do you do in that regard?

Duchess of York: This table is standing up because it has four legs [gestures at coffee table]. I believe that I have four legs, and if I don't have legs there is no way I'm going to stand up. Water is vital, of course. One. Proper nutrition is vital. Without the proper diet there is no stimulation, whether you're one or 70. That's two. Three, you've got to learn why you do these things. Look at the dark side of yourself ‑- you've got to be honest, no question about it. And the fourth thing: running, or exercise. Every day you have to get that heartbeat going, because the heart is a muscle and if you don't use it, it won't work. The bottom line is, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, I run eight miles. I do Pilates, yoga and strength training. You have to listen to your body and know when to exercise and when not to exercise. Fitness is vital. You won't stand up on just two legs alone.

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