shape > beauty, fashion, lifestyle > article

Healthy Hollywood:
In Step With...Melora Hardin

Hardin stays on her toes mentally by setting aside time for physical activity

Claire Connors

In addition to playing Michael's uptight love interest Jan on NBC's The Office, Melora Hardin is also a singer-songwriter (she just released her second album, a compilation of '50s songs called Purr), a director (she's working on her first film, You), and a mother (she and her husband, actor Gildart Jackson, have two daughters, ages 6 and 2). Still, she manages to keep her life in perspective with these techniques.

Exercise Your Body and Spirit
"Once a week I take a modern jazz class for an hour and a half. I love the way my body feels when I'm dancing. It builds stamina, keeps me fl exible, and makes my muscles long and lean. But it's also medicine for my soul. When I look at myself in the mirror dancing, creating something beautiful, it's empowering."
2. Fuel Up
   "Like many people, I try to stay away from empty carbs such as white fl our and sugar, which means I have to read labels carefully. Instead I eat lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains. But I have to admit I do love cookies and pie, so I indulge occasionally in those that are sweetened with fruit juice or evaporated cane juice."

3. Age Well
   "Plastic surgery has become a weird Hollywood addiction. The more people buy into it, the more power it has over us. It's defi nitely not something I am doing-or going to do. I hope to grow old gracefully and make the most of what God gave me."