Elisabeth Hasselbeck – July 2011
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When word started to spread around the Oxygen offices that we did a cover shoot with Elisabeth Hasselbeck, the first question out of everyone’s mouth was, “is she fit?” Valid question, as we’re most familiar with her as Emmy-Award-winning co-host of ABC’s The View, always fashionably, but conservatively covered up in the studio. So let me say this: her gluten-free diet has helped get her that enviable abs definition; her form, thanks to a drill sergeant trainer, was spot on; and while the rest of the crew was tired and getting ready to wrap for the day, she did at least a dozen unassisted pull-ups that had us all in awe.
Her favorite form of cardio is running, and it’s no wonder. Elisabeth grew up watching her father run every day, and when she was old enough, she joined him. In college, she played softball, but after a shoulder injury in her senior year, she could only support her team from the bleachers. Post-injury, running became her exercise of choice, as well as her outlet. She ran the Boston Marathon in 1999 without a number, making her a running bandit.
Her favorite time of day to work out is first thing in the morning. “Every hour that goes by, another excuse or priority comes up. Plus, this way I’m free the rest of the day.”
Keeping it clean
After being diagnosed with celiac disease, Elisabeth made over her diet, opting to be gluten-free. She’s even written a New York Times bestselling book on the topic called The G-Free Diet: A Gluten Free Survival Guide. Her favorite clean foods are kale, rice and bean salad as well as avocado – at the end of our photo shoot, she ate an avocado right out of the peel. “It’s filling, satisfying and there’s no guilt.”
She is a firm believer in cheat meals, though. Chocolate gelato or tortilla chips are her go-to snacks, but when she’s on her best behavior, the gluten-free, high-protein Nogii bars she created are just as good, satisfying a sweet and salty craving. “I grew up enjoying a sweet treat after dinner. This bar takes care of that and even gets the stamp of approval from my husband, Tim.”
Career aspirations
We all know Elisabeth as co-host of ABC’s The View, but a career in front of the camera wasn’t always part of her path. She began her studies in biology and studio art in the pre-med program at Boston College. Initially, she wanted to specialize in plastic surgery to help accident victims, but her career soon turned towards design and, at one point, she had her sights on medical illustration. But her interests turned to studio art and industrial design, and Elisabeth went on to work as a shoe designer at Puma for a two and a half years.
Fitness favorites
Elisabeth’s favorite body parts to train are her abs and core. In fact, she was able to sculpt those abs largely with the help of the ProForm Ab Glider. “Training them allows everything else to stay strong and perform,” she says. Her least favorite is her back, but when her posture isn’t up to par, she realizes it’s time to hit those muscle groups. “Once I start training my back, it fires into play.”
All in the family
Elisabeth’s three kids are following in the athletic footsteps of mom and dad. Her hubby, Tim, ESPN NFL analyst, was an NFL quarterback – in fact, she say her six-year-old knows more about football than most adults. It’s not uncommon on any given day to find one of the kids with a golf club or baseball bat, or watching mom and dad play a pick-up game of hoops. “My husband and I know the importance of the lessons learned from playing on a team, and we love that the kids are already learning them.” Elisabeth adds she doesn’t want her kids to burn out on one sport, but to try everything they’re interested in and to have fun while they’re at it.