I just got done interviewing, Paige Davis, the delightful host of TLC’s “Trading Spaces” and I genuinely like her a lot. We spent an hour blabbing our brains out, and I have to tell you that the girl is as easy, sweet and likable in person as she is on the show. The world of home improvement fans exhaled a collective sigh of relief when TLC announced they were bringing back their beloved Paige. She’s sweet, she’s smart, and she happens to have a smoking body. She’s been professionally dancing for a very long time, and has some terrific advice to help get the rest of us in super shape as well. Paige’s perspective on both life and fitness seems to be on track. Her enthusiasm is contagious. If you’d like to catch a case of her ‘perfect life’ germs…read on!
Fitz: You’ve been gone from Trading Spaces for a few years, and just finished shooting the first half of the new season. How’d it go?
Paige: Great! We’ve shot 13 episodes so far. It’s been different, but great! It’s wonderful to be back working with all of my friends who were there before. It is so much fun working with Frank. And Doug is like a sibling to me. We have this silly chemistry, and we just poke fun at each other and have a blast all the time. Plus, I’ve made lots of new friends. I love it.
Fitz: Moving is really hard work. The audience may wonder of you’re just the cute perky girl hosting the show, without having to actual pitch in to the tasks. How much physical labor do you actually do while filming?
Paige: A lot! It’s all a huge team effort, and I really want to be there with the groups helping out. It’s so much fun, and makes the time fly by much faster. Frank (one of the room designers) in particular, keeps us in stitches. And as an added benefit, moving furniture gets our arms pretty muscular and defined.
Fitz: Do you ever have lazy teams?
Paige: Yes. I must admit at times we do. They’re surprised at both how much work there is and at how much help they get to do it. Traditionally the teams have a terrific experience. Even the teams who have disliked the outcome of the decorated rooms in their own homes, have said they would do it all again. That speaks volumes!
Fitz: When I was building my first home back in 2002, I was addicted to “Trading Spaces“. I was desperate for creative ideas. I remember originally thinking you were just cute, and then one day thinking “Wow!” Paige looks hotsy totsy!” Was that intentional? Did you have a makeover or something?
Paige: No! Not at all! I can’t even think back to what you may be describing. But! Originally I was told to hide my microphone which was clipped to the back of my pants. Those big shirts I had to wear would form this huge tent, which I thought was silly. How was I ever going to hide that mic? But…eventually I just started wearing more regular fitted shirts. Maybe that’s why my appearance changed.
Fitz: You are in great shape. What do you do for exercise?
Paige. I dance! I started dancing at age 13. It’s my passion, part of my profession and definitely what keeps me in the best shape. Sometimes when I’m home in New York, I take two classes a day!
Fitz: What do you do on the road while shooting “Trading Spaces”?
Paige: I pray for a decent hotel gym. Preferably with some free weights, a treadmill and a television. CNN keeps me company on the treadmill, and helps me keep going. I also love Pilate’s, push-ups and sit-ups.
Fitz: I’m glad you mentioned push-ups! They’re one of my favorite exercises. How many can you do?
Paige: A lot! I can do 25-30 at a time, and I do 50-100 every day!
Fitz: That’s fantastic! Do you ever do pull-ups?
Paige: No. They’re so hard!
Fitz: I know. But the blue Wiggle, Anthony Field got me doing them this summer…and then I badgered Dr. Oz into doing them….and now I want you to do them too. They’re fantastic for your entire upper-body and work wonders on your abs and back as well.
Paige: OK! I’m always looking for a new challenge. I promise I’ll start doing them.
Fitz: What are your eating habits like?
Paige: They’re all over the place! I’ve tried everything. Vegetarian, vegan, the raw foods diet, and more. I’ve ended up somewhere in the middle of all that. When I’m dancing a lot, I eat whatever I want in moderation. It’s hard to force myself to exercise because of what I’ve eaten. I’d rather dance, dance, dance and then have a burger if I so choose. When I do that, I never have regrets and I don’t have to worry about what my thighs are going to look like.
Fitz: Favorite healthy food?
Paige: A luscious salad, with fresh squeezed lime and sea salt as a dressing.
Fitz: Favorite not-so-healthy food?
Paige: Cheese, any kind of cheese!
Fitz: Your physique is gorgeous, but do you ever have a ‘fat day’? If so, what do you do?
Paige: Yeah. Totally! They’re hard, and sometimes I just go back to bed. But, I try not to focus on it though. It’s a slippery slope and I don’t want to make things worse.
Fitz: Do you have any tricks to looking terrific for a big event?
Paige: I have one poochy dress that looks amazing whether I’ve gained or lost a few pounds. It’s the best!
Fitz: Is there anything in particular that gives you a good kick in the butt when you’re feeling lazy?
Paige: Honestly, no. I move on sheer discipline. Even if I’m not in the mood to work out, sometimes I just have to suck it up and do it anyway.
Fitz: What’s on your mp3 player?
Paige: I’m not afraid to admit that I love Justin Timberlake. I also listen to Clint Holmes in Vegas.
Fitz: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Paige: Vegas. And, I know it’s totally gag-me, but I love Disney World too!
Fitz: Disney is great. We go there all the time. Do you exercise on vacation?
Paige: No, not intentionally. But vacation seems to be busy. We walk a lot at Disney…and have lots of SEX!
Fitz: Ahhh! That’s great!
Paige: Well, it’s marital sex! Sex is exercise right?
Fitz: It sure is. Great quote though. Thanks.
Paige: Oh no!
Fitz: What are your favorite jeans?
Paige: I love Joe’s jeans.
Fitz: Favorite bra?
Paige: Cosabella.
Fitz: Bikini or one piece?
Paige: Bikini. I’ve got great abs!
Fitz: Would you ever pose nude?
Paige: I don’t think so, but that has to do most with what I represent. I love the pictures Lindsay Lohan just did. I would only do nudity if it was relevant to a movie role, and classy not creepy. I also love the DOVE Campaign for Real Beauty, and how they’re promoting the idea that all types of bodies can be beautiful. I also love Carson Kressley’s show How to Look Good Naked. I struggle with staying fit. It’s nice to see NORMAL bodies. The pressure in my industry is insurmountable. So, my answer to the nudity is not no. It just really depends on what it’s for.
Fitz: Will you and your husband, Patrick Paige be having any children?
Paige: You know…if you would have asked me last year, the answer definitely would have been no. But, I’m 38 now and we’re thinking about it. We’re just so blissfully happy, it’s a bit tricky to mess with something that’s so good.
Fitz: On that note, do you have any thoughts about raising fit kids?
Paige: Move! Same thing I’d say for adults. I know that video games are cool; I get it! But the Wii is fantastic and offers a bunch of great opportunities for movement. There is also something to be said for running around playing.
Fitz: You’ve done Broadway, starred in Chicago and a few other major musicals. I also discovered that you were aWheel of Fortune dancer in a commercial long ago. Tell me about that.
Paige: What?! Oh man, that was like 16 years ago! I remember we wore the actual costumes from the finale of The Chorus Line. It was a very exciting time. I remember when I did that commercial thinking, “Oh my God! I’ve made it!”
Fitz: Have a celeb crush?
Paige: Justin Timberlake and of course George Clooney.
Fitz: How do you stay so perky?
Paige: I guess it comes from loving what I do. My life, husband and career are perfect for me. My husband also helps me balance everything. When I come home, I am also lucky to be surrounded my amazing neighbors that are all great friends. Fourth Floor Rocks! We all keep our doors open, and I know if I need to relax Robin and I can sit in the hall and have a glass of wine.
Fitz: What are the odds that when people need a carpenter, some really hot guy or gorgeous chic like the ones onTrading Spaces will show up to do the work?
Paige: I guess about the same chance we have of having a doctor that looks like the ones on Grey’s Anatomy!
Fitz: What advice do you have for the average Joe or Jane just trying to become more fit?
Paige: Walk! Just get up and walk! Inactivity breeds inactivity. If you have a desk job, get up and walk during the day. Movement is so important. I’m lucky to have a job that requires me to be extremely active. At night I feel a satisfied type of tired.
Fitz: Thanks a ton for spending so much time with me, Paige. If you ever get bored with the gang on the fourth floor, there always seems to be a house for sale on my block. We’d love to have you! And!!! Don’t forget those pull-ups!
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