While a size 10 may be acceptable outside Hollywood city limits, Vivica felt pressure to slim down and return to her curvy size four. "The camera isn't kind when you're carrying extra pounds," she says.
To shed the extra weight and to prepare for her very physical role as Vernita Green ("Copperhead") in Kill Bill, Vivica adopted a new exercise plan -- and a carb-conscious lifestyle. Though she doesn't follow a plan like Atkins or South Beach, she eats lots of meat and low-carb veggies. Her diligence paid off: In three months, she dropped those 30 pounds.
For those new to low-carbing, Vivica advises patience and persistence. "It's hard at first to give up carbs such as bread," she says, "but the longer you stick to it, the easier it gets. And you do lose your cravings for carbs."
On a busy day, she loves take-out salads from California Pizza Kitchen. Her favorite is their Oriental Chicken Salad -- lettuce tossed with scallions, basil, cilantro and a little bit of crispy angel hair, all drizzled with a spicy sweet-and-sour sesame dressing and topped with grilled chicken breast.
A confessed carboholic, Vivica says her transition to a carb-controlled lifestyle wasn't always picture-perfect. "I'm good all week eating meat, fish and vegetables every day. But once a week, I splurge on what I call 'girl soul food,'" she laughs. "I have my friends over, and we have a barbecue and peach cobbler and ice cream."
Come Monday morning, Vivica resumes her low-carb lifestyle and her workouts at Billy Blanks studio, where she practices tae-bo three to five times a week.
