What can you tell our readers about your current book Drop Dead Healthy?
It’s about my two years following all the medical advice in the world, and trying to become the healthiest person alive.
What did you want to achieve by writing this book?
I was in terrible shape – I was what they call skinny fat. I looked like a snake that had swallowed a goat. And my wife told me that she didn’t want to be a widow in her 40s. So I wanted to get in shape. I wanted to revamp everything – diet, exercise, sleep, stress level, sex life, you name it. And I wanted to find out what works and what doesn’t.
What hss surprised you most in writing this book?
That little changes can have a huge impact. Consider chewing. I ran into this movement called “Chewdaism,” and they talk aout the importance of chewing your food. When you chew more, you eat more slowly, and that means you eat less and lose weight.
Which did you find the worst diet regime to follow?
I despised the juice cleanses. I’d rather sit in traffic for three days than do another juice cleanse. And luckily for me, science is on my side. There’s very little medical evidence that juice cleanses have any medical benefit.
How much of the healthy regime do you still follow?
Not all, but a lot. For instance, I try not to be sedentary. I was alarmed by all the research on how bad it is to sit at your desk all day. It’s terrible for your heart. One doctor told me ‘sitting is the new smoking.’ I bought a treadmill and put my computer on top of it, and I answer emails and write my books while walking.
How did your wife react to your quest for the healthy body?
She was happy I undertook it. It was partly her idea. But she thought I took it way too far. For one thing, I made her do that juice cleanse with me. She lasted three hours before demanding solid food again.
How many times did you want to quit and make it all stop?
Hard to count that high. But luckily, there are ways to be healthy that are pleasurable as well. Chocolate, wine and coffee – all those are good for you.
Was this something you always wanted to write, or did the inspiration come off the back of the two previous books?
My wife had been pleading with me to get healthy for ten years. But I only committed to it after finishing my other projects. I tried to improve my mind with my first book, my spirit with my second book. So I figured I needed to improve the body and finish off the trilogy.
You are the editor of Esquire and have also written for The New York Times and The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, do you have a preference for this over writing books?
I like the immediacy of journalism. You don’t have to wait two years to see your work out there. But I do like being able to dive deep into a topic, which you can do in a book.
What are your plans for future publications of similar ilk?
I have some ideas, but I haven’t settled on one yet. My kids want me to do a year of eating nothing but candy. They say they would join me on that journey. But I don’t think that’s going to happen.
Female First Lucy Walton
by Lucy Walton
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