Natalie Cassidy web chat
Friday 11 January 2008
Q. Hi, I love your DVD! Are you still working out five days a week?
Yes, at the moment!! It’s hard to keep the weight off and you have to keep at it, that’s the biggest hurdle really.
Q. What was your heaviest weight?
I was 12stone 4lbs at my heaviest and I’m only 5ft 4 so that’s pretty heavy.
Q. I can't seem to lose any weight! What's your secret?
Well I guess if you try and stick to around 2,000 calories a day and take some exercise, that’s the key really. And buy my DVD obviously! Just cut down and exercise more – there’s no real secret!
Q. Have you put the weight back on over Christmas?
I’ve put on about 4lbs but it’s pretty much gone now. I’ve just cut out the puddings and done my workouts!
Q. Hi ya Natalie, how long did it take you to lose the weight?
It took me three months to lose 2 and a half stone. Five times a week's workout and dieting as well.
Q. Did you have a trainer?
I had the lady who helped me learn the DVD, a lovely lady called Dee - she's great. She helped Charlie Brooks to get in shape too and she showed me what to do.
Q. What size were you and what size are you now? You look so good now. i hope i can do it, im a size 12-14 and want to be 8-10
I was a size 16 - a tight one! And now, depending on what shop, I'm an 8-10. If it's M&S or Next I'd be an 8. So good luck and of course you'll do it - just stick with it!
Q. How do you motivate yourself to exercise every day?
Get up in the morning and do it straight away! Just think about getting it out of the way so you can enjoy your lunch or dinner so you don't have think about it for the rest of the day.
Q. Hi Natalie, what was the hardest thing to give up, anything or have you just cut down?
I have given up cheese. I absolutely love it and it's been really hard to give up! i was a real crisp eater so that's been really tough too. But my tip is to have a bowl of Special K instead - don't put any milk on them though, just nibble on them in front of the telly!
I also started knitting!! Instead of watching the telly i've started to knit and it's not acually turned into anything but at least it keeps my fingers busy so I'm not eating!!
Q. Was there anything you snacked on that helped you i.e fruit or do you just drink water?
Hi there, I'd say snack on blueberries and raspberries. A bit of dry cereal and I know it's boring but a bit of marmite on rice cakes or ryvita. Maybe a bit of low fat hummus on them helps too.
Q. Do you still exercise every day?
I exercise five times a week if I can but it's not so hard now. I can afford to do three times a week but I'd rather do more exercise so I can have a glass of wine. I'd rather do that than put weight on really.
Q. I have managed a few times to lose weight but its keeping it off thats the problem any suggestions?
Hi there Jackie, I've been yo yo dieting for years and it's absolutely about making it your lifestyle so you don't feel as if you're dieting all the time. It's tough - ask me again in the year if I've kept it all off!
Q. Do you ever snack on grapes or are they full of sugar?
They do have a lot of sugar in them. I like them squashed, in a barrel as in wine!! I don't like them much though, I prefer blueberries and raspberries but hey, grapes are better than snacking on Mars Bars!
Q. Have you seen anyone face to face from EastEnders now you've lost the weight? I also am a size 16 and I'm 5ft i look a right sight! You have inspired me to start and not stop till i feel good about myself. Thank you!
I bet you still look gorgeous. And yes, I've seen quite a few of the cast and they were quite shocked when they saw me. I'm so pleased - go and get my DVD and I promise it will work for you. Just go for it.
Q. I'm never going to lose weight if i have to cut out alcohol!! Do you know any low calorie alternatives?
I'm the same as you and it's soooo hard to give up booze! I always find Gin and slimline tonic is good! Also try and have a pint of soda and lime in between drinks to space it out a bit through the evening. Or if you have a glass of wine, water it down with soda water, then you're halving the calories. remember - the lighter in colour the drink, usually, the less calories it has!
Q. Have you been offered different roles on TV since you've been slimmer?
Not yet! But I was on GMTV this morning so hopefully quite a few people have seen it and the jobs will come flooding in!
Q. i was reading Closer the other day, and i was on the page about you. you were such an inspiration i joined Closerdiets.com! Thanks for the advice. I also can't give up cheese and dips they're my biggest sin along with alcohol!
SNAP! Cheese is my biggest weakness too, as is alcohol. hope you're enjoying the dvd and good luck with it!
Q. Hi Natalie I am also a size 16 and most of the time I can stick to a diet but its getting myself motivated to do the exercise that I have a problem with, what keeps you motivated to exercise?
Go and get my DVD, it's got really good music on it, i'm jumping around talking rubbish - enough to motivate anyone! As I said earlier, try and do it first thing in the morning and get it out of the way before your day starts. build it into a routine.
Q. Do you miss EastEnders?
Yes I do but in a good way! I don't regret leaving. It was December 2006 when I went last year I did a 6-month theatre tour of a play called Bedroom Farce. It was great because i learned a new skill. Then doing the training for the DVD was hard work. I've done after-dinner speaking. Lots of charitable stuff, things like that too.
Q. Do you feel more energetic now you have lost weight? I find that I feel sluggish when I eat rubbish! Also are you going to go back to EastEnders? We all miss you!
Ahh, thanks very much. I'm not going back yet but never say never!
We all feel rubbish if we've eaten badly, drunk too much. So yes, I definitely feel more energetic. Over Christmas I ate things like xmas pud with cream but I don't see the point of eating rubbish anymore. The best hangover food is brown toast with chopped tomatoes... which might sound weird but it works! The food which has the worse effect on me is chinese or curry. I just don't eat them anymore. If I go for a curry I have a dry chicken or lamb and a tiny bit of naan and leave it at that.
Q. What exactly made you get stuck into losing weight and getting trimmed up?
When I left EastEnders I wanted to reinvent myself. Everyone knew me as Sonia but it's nice to be seen as Natalie for once. So that was what prompted me to do it, the need for a makeover or reinvention is good!
Q. What are your best low calorie tips?
My favourite low cal meals - I'm a real carnivore so a nice grilled steak with nothing on it, some veggies with new potatoes, or a lovely bit of seared tuna with soy sauce. Also you can't beat a poached egg on toast or a bit of dried cereal.
Q. What do you think about the size zero debate?
I think the debate gets a bit boring. I think people should concentrate on themselves. I feel sorry for some of the girls out there. Some people just can't keep the weight on - we should just worry about how healthy and fit we are and leave it at that really.
Q. Thank you for your advice, going to get something HEALTHY to eat now!! Hope to see you back in Albert Sq!
Thanks a lot Jessica, enjoy your lunch!
Right that's everything thank you so much for all of your questions.
Don't forget to go out and buy my DVD! It's on sale in all good shops now.
Happy new year everyone, good luck and happy training! I'll be back in the summer to find out how everyone's doing. See you then.
Click here to read Natalie's story