In the November issue of Harper's Bazaar, funny woman Tina Fey reveals that she doesn't work out — at all. Looking at 39-year-old Fey I would not have guessed that she stays away from the gym. She's slim and carries herself with style and sex appeal. It's also surprising to hear that any woman working in an industry driven in large part by image is able to escape having a personal trainer.
When asked why she stays away from the gym, it comes down to not enough time in her day. The woman is busy, very busy. She's got a hit show to write, is a wife and mother, and is an Emmy-award-winning actress.
To hear what Tina thinks about working out, read more.
"Work, come home, play, kid bounce, work again, go to bed." She has thought about yoga, even done it a couple times. "But," she notes, "even yoga classes go on 80 or 90 minutes." The ethos of Gwyneth Paltrow or Madonna, with their two hours plus of bendiness a day, is not for Tina. "You will still die," she observes. "I'll do grave yoga. Someone can come and stretch me in my grave."
Tina explains her relationship to the business of celebrity this way:
"I like to delude myself that I'm in the old-Hollywood mode. I just tailor my clothes well and try to keep my skin clear. While it would be great to work out an hour a day, there is something inherently sort of selfish about it. I can't do it."
Despite not working out, the actress does focus on maintaining a healthy diet. At the age of 29, Fey dropped an astounding 35 pounds after going on Weight Watchers. The actress describes it as a time in her life where she learned to eat properly, something she still continues to do.
What do you think? Does working in a workout seem selfish to you?
Rick Owens
Pieces
Azzedine Alaia
I work full time. I come home to my husband and baby girl, and after my baby has been in daycare all day, I have my husband watch her for 45 minutes while I workout. I do not have time to exercise during the day at work because I am pumping and that activity takes up most of my break time, and my husband works out in the morning while I have baby duty. It's the only way to fit it in right now. It does feel selfish sometimes but mainly because I feel guilty about leaving my child at daycare all day and then I come home, see her for 30 minutes and then leave her with my husband again. I do it, however, becuase I think that in a way it would be even more selfish for me to skip working out and then become cranky and unhealthy. Ultimately, my daughter and my husband and my job all need me to be at my best. If I choose not to workout, I'm not at my best and everyone suffers. So, while I can definitely see Tina's point, I still choose to workout for the sake of my family and job.
1Do you call taking care of yourself and your health selfish? I don't. It's not like you're taking a week off to join a boot camp. If we can take care of everything and everyone else in the world, what's the harm in stealing a small portion of a day just to take care of yourself for a change? Plus, if we get sick because we abandon our health, who's going to do our job, raise a family etc? So better take that 'selfish' time to work out so you can be unselfish in future, by trying your best to be there for everyone else, healthy and happy, for as long as you can.
2She is either exaggerating or phenomenally lucky. In either case, it's not a good message.
3I agree with her totally, working out is selfish. I am not saying that it is necessarily bad but many times I was asked to do sth (nothing big often) but I said no, bc I was going running.
4Or I often ask my mom to go to the gym with me, but she has no time bc she is cooking or cleaning, and taking care of the family.
I see what she means and it makes total sense to me.
I have to say while I can't exactly relate, I can definitely understand where she's coming from. And it's not like working out automatically makes a person "perfect" and "beyond healthy". At least she practices sensible eating habits and keeps herself at a healthy weight. What about the super busy people that, oh yes, work out, but just stuff their faces at the end of the day? Give the woman a break.
5I know that during her pre-SNL/30 Rock days, Ms. Fey's appearance was regularly called into question, primarily because of her weight, so I can sort of understand why she chooses not to jump on the celebrity-fitness bandwagon, especially if she's able to maintain a healthy weight just by eating a healthy diet.
And yes, taking time to workout can be deemed "selfish," but I don't consider that a bad thing. Hitting up the drive-thru for lunch or eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's is selfish too, is it not?
Clearly, Tina isn't in a position where her health is in serious danger due to lack of physical activity (that we know of), so she's not the best person to throw stones at because of her comments.
That said, those who ARE at risk for various health problems because they don't make time for exercise shouldn't use her comments as validation for their actions (or lack thereof). She may be busy, but so is the President, and he makes time for a 45 minute workout session every day. Just keep that in mind if you're one of those people who would clearly benefit from exercise and are looking for excuses not to.
6To disagree with what Tina said- My mom has taken care of a big family for 25+ years now. She is definitely a selfless person, but I can tell you that she is not happy. She spreads herself too thin & never makes time for herself. It would make me SO happy to see her work out every morning and start to feel good about herself. Also, I agree with thatsnotfab, it's a bad message to guilt people out of working out, especially those who are overweight and unhappy.
7Working out is selfish?
Lovely.
Because wanting to be healthy and live longer to spend more time with your family is so
selfish. That interview makes me want to cringe. (and secretly hope some pap sneaks a photo of her on a jog or something!) 
8Oh Tina Fey, this is where we part ways. Working out isn't selfish if it matters and is important to you.
And to the anonymous poster whose mother can't join her at the gym b/c of all her work at the house......pick up a dish towel and help out. Then maybe your mom can do something for herself instead of everyone else.
9Oh PLEASE, that is such a cop out excuse. I've always loved Tina Fey, but this just bothers me. When I was growing up, my mom worked TWO jobs, did all the cooking and cleaning, and still got up at 5:00 a.m. every day to work out. It's troubling to me that she holds herself out as being so "liberal" and yet has no problem perpetuating the sexist idea that a woman should always put herself last.
10I have to agree with the majority here. Since I've been working out regularly and making fitness a priority in my life my family has benefitted just as much as I have. I can take care of them so much better than I could have before. They're happier too, it's not just me who is happier, I'm not the only one getting the benefits of my fitness regimen.
11Yeah I was thinking more about this, and it really annoys me when people make these excuses for the choices that they make that are demeaning to all the others who made the different choice. Can't we just say "I chose not to do this" and be done with it? Why do we have to call people names and be demeaning?
12And we're all busy, that is never a good reason not to do something. I don't care if you work two jobs or don't work outside the home at all. If it's not a priority for you, or not something you're interested in doing then say that, but don't use the "I'm too busy" excuse. Because you can find or even make time for things that are important or of interest to you.
13It is a cop out. everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, and while some of us are busier than others, I truly believe that everyone can fit in a workout. No, she may not have time to train for a century ride or an Ironman, but she certainly could fit in 45 minutes a day. There are so many ways and places to work out --- in your house, walking, etc.
In fact, why doesn't Tina take her baby out in the stroller and walk/ run WITH HER?
and kimmieB: I think it's fantastic you carve out time to workout, even with your super busy schedule. a happy healthy mom is a happy family.
don't feel guilty girlie !!
14kimmieb124: am in exactly the same position as you (though i have a boy
) anyway,
you words are just what i needed to get me back into my routine. how often do you workout during the week?
15Exactly! I would rather workout either with my child or pushing my child in a stroller during a jog. What a great example for your children on what a healthy lifestyle looks like!
16I like Tina Fey but I do not like this interview.
17I am with everyone else who has commented. We are all busy. I work, have a son, go to school, volunteer, and work out. It makes me a happier healthier person for me and my family. I really don't like the message she is sending with this and it is somewhat condescending.
I think some people just dont like to workout and come up with reasons to justify it. Clearly work is a priority and it takes up a great deal of her time so when she isnt working she wants to spend it with her family and I can't fault her for that. Sure there are people who are just as busy if not more so who find time for it but that doesnt mean that everyone should or needs to. I say go with what works for you, I would be a grump if I didn't work out so that is something that is important to me but I don't expect everyone to feel that way. She is probably running around all day anyway so even if she isnt doing focused exercise it doesnt mean she isnt getting any.
18Aw, I love Tina Fey. For one thing, I'm sure she exercises (playing and running around with her kids) but she does not consider that a "work out". I think what she's referring to are mothers (in particular celebrity mothers) who are so vain and obsessed with their appearance that their kids are left with a nanny all day while they do 4 hour pilates sessions. I think it is important for mothers to be a good role model to children by taking care of themselves, but I think many celebrity moms over-do it and end up neglecting their children.
19Although I understand the anger that some of you are feeling (after all, by saying that working out is "selfish", Ms. Fey is basically calling all individuals who work out selfish), I don't think that her comments should be taken so seriously. I feel the same way that she does - after working all day and seeing very little of my husband and children, I personally feel guilt or selfishness if I ask for time away from them to work out. This is just the emotion that I personally feel. When I hear about mothers that work and find time to work out, I do not, in any way, think of them as selfish people. I think that Tina Fey probably feels as I do, and I seriously doubt her comments were intended to offend all of those fit, healthy mothers out there.
If the things that came out of my mouth when I'm talking with people were published in magazines, people would probably all be angry at me, too. We all miscommunicate things, and I think we need to give celebrities a little break sometimes.
20Ok so when I was 200+ pounds after having my second child and could hardly keep up with them and was out of breath after climbing the stairs, that's ok? Yeah that's not selfish...NOT
21I now run when the kids are in school, lost tons of weight, have a better self esteem, have a better lung capacity and I can now keep up with my girls and even out run them when I have to. I've learned how to listen to my body and take care of it so I can live a longer healthier life for my girls. Not only that, but I will teach them how they can do this for themselves and support them with body issues that they might have when they get older. Yeah how selfish of me!
I'm sure Tina knows that exercise like running decreases the chance of breast cancer, right?
If working out is selfish, then so be it.
I selfishly want to be as focused as I can be at work. I selfishly want to be as happy as I can be with my family. I selfishly want to be pain free. I selfishly want to make sure the hours I spend time sleeping actually make me rested, so i can spend even more time at work, more time with my family, and more time continuing my own hobbies.
I need exercise to do this.
22Instead of saying working out is "selfish" she should just say she doesn't like to, or she chooses not to. She says she's too "busy" but come on, she works like she does by choice, not by necessity. She's not the women who work two jobs to put food on the table. She's got plenty of money I'm sure, so the work she does is for her, not for her family or for her kid. She shouldn't call things selfish when I bet she has someone else watching her kid all day while she works.
23I'm failing to see why people are getting so butthurt about this. So Tina Fey doesn't see working out as a priority for her. I'm not seeing how she's saying that it shouldn't be a priority for other people, or that she sees other people who do work out as "selfish." Can't a person just have their own way of doing and seeing things without people extrapolating it to mean that it's their prescription for the world?
24I definitely wouldn't consider myself "butthurt" (yuck) about this, but it does annoy me when comments like this are made about working out. I don't mind what people choose to do in their lives or how they justify their decisions, but I do mind when someone implies that those who have chosen otherwise are selfish for doing so. And since this is a fitness blog, I think it's the appropriate place for us to say why we do or do not agree with her statement.
25shrug. I just think she's entitled to her point of view. We don't lead the same life she does so I just am grateful that I do have the time and ability to exercise--I don't think she's judging the people who do.
26"I'm not seeing how she's saying that it shouldn't be a priority for other people, or that she sees other people who do work out as "selfish."
Zulkey - If you read the entire post, she said that working out for an hour a day is "inherently selfish."
27It is selfish, but it is something a woman should do for herself. There are ways a woman can work out in tiny blocks of the day while her kids are sleeping. I think her comment came out the wrong way.
28What's wrong with being a little bit selfish every day for an hour? Focusing on everyone else 24 hours a day would drain everyone. I know that spending an hour or an hour and a half working out makes me feel less resentful of having to take care of all the other people in my life and most of my friends who work out say the same thing. My own mom never worked out and never, EVER wanted to go biking with us or do anything with us, plus she was a b*tch on wheels most of the time. To me, THAT behavior was incredibly selfish. I don't see why Tina Fey has to call working out "selfish"; why doesn't she just say she doesn't like it and doesn't feel she has time for it and move on?
Oh, and I agree with runningesq...we all have the same 24 hours in a day and we can spend it how we choose to. When I'm really busy, I'll squeeze in a short workout at lunch and maybe another 30 minutes after work. If working out was important to her, I'm sure Tina could find a way to work out; most other celebs do.
29I don't think that taking the time for yourself to do ANYTHING that benefits your health is selfish. Having said that, I also think it's possible to get by without actually working out. If you lead a reasonably active lifestyle, get out and about, and eat a healthful diet, it IS possible to be "healthy" without racking up hours at the gym. She says, defensively.
30I agree with Vanonymous.
Sure I could fit in a workout in my week but instead choose not to for many reasons, the main one being I'm too tired at the end of my day to even consider going to the gym and going home at 9.30pm. It's a question of choice and I completely understand why she'd make it. And let's be honest, she makes enough money to afford a generally healthier lifestyle than most of us (her groceries bill must be waaay bigger than mine) - you can still reasonably take care of yourself without hopping on the treadmill.
31I work full time and do a post grad course and I still find half an hour a day to work out! What!
I'll just be going to the grave later than she will.
I don't believe she isn't controlling her weight SOMEHOW. So, if it isn't exercise it has to be through her diet. Working hard on a show? She probably lives on coffee.
32Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.