More: For your latest venture you are teaming up with Crest & Oral-B for Life?
Alison Sweeney: One of the main things that drew me to this partnership was the Life Opens Up Project. The contest asks people to submit a video and answer the question, When was having a healthy mouth the turning point for your success at work or in your love life? For me, having a healthy mouth gives me confidence to take that next step.

More: Contest? What does the winner get for sending in the best video?
AS: The winner gets a chance to be on The Rachael Ray Show.

More: So having a set of pearly whites is that important to you, since appearance is everything in Hollywood?
AS: I have been in front of the camera since I was four years old, so yes, appearance is important. But to me, having a healthy mouth is too, because you don’t want people looking at something gross, especially when you are shooting a close-up. The one thing they are looking at when the camera is near you is your mouth. I think everyone in this industry puts an emphasis on having a great smile.

More: How are your kids when the time comes for brushing their teeth? Is it a struggle?
AS: We try to make it a fun activity that we can do together.

More: Speaking of good health, you shed a lot of weight?
AS: Yes, I documented on how I lost my baby weight.

More: Did people make any hurtful comments about the extra pounds you carried, since you are a public figure?
AS: No. In fact, I found people were supportive of me and my journey. It is territory you don’t give new moms a hard time about.

More: What made you lose weight?
AS: For me, being healthy is the key, and what I focus on. Look at The Biggest Loser. The goal of this program is to teach people how to be healthy. Being a certain size or being able to fit into a certain dress is not important. What matters is being healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

More: Did you feel the pressure to lose the baby weight quickly because you star on two successful programs, one of which centers around weight?
AS: I put the pressure on myself. I had my daughter in January and then had the finale in May. I set a goal, that I wanted to be back in shape for the finale. I put the pressure on myself and did not let the public influence me. If anything, I felt a responsibility to the show and the people on the show.

More: Why?
AS: I owed them the respect of putting hard work into myself to lose the weight, just like they were doing on the program.

More: How did you put pressure on yourself?
AS: I set realistic goals and I worked hard to achieve them—for example, making time for the gym and keeping track of my calories.

More: Is it a struggle to keep the weight off?

AS: It is constant. Every meal I have, I try to make a healthy choice. I need to stay on a positive routine and not go on the negative path, which is eating poorly.

More: What is your idea of exercise?
AS: I mix it up. I usually go to the gym for 45 minutes. I also hike, walk and work out with fitness DVDs.

More: What’s your food weakness?
AS: Home-baked goods. I do a lot of baking with my son. Store-bought stuff and candy is not tempting to me.

More: Jillian Michaels has left The Biggest Loser. 
AS: Yes.

More: Are you worried the dynamic of the show will change?
AS: I am happy that the show is so positive and always focuses on the contestants. The show is about these participants and their journey to get healthy. I feel that is what the fans embrace and follow, because these contestants inspire people.