Dear Katie, I am so glad that you survived your anorexia and that you are now at a healthy weight. That took alot of courage and strength and I am proud of you. Life is so much better when we are not obsessed with food and dieting. When I stopped throwing up, my weight actually went down.

I know for me it is a lifelong challenge to keep a healthy attitude about food, and I hope that if you slide back into anorexia you will immediately ask for help. I have not thrown up for 19 years, but I always say “I am a million miles away from being bulimic again, but it would take me only one second to get there”. We must be vigilant! I have been with my nutritionist, Cathy Sassin for a long time because she keeps me eating healthily, and I check in with her by phone weekly because I know I cannot do it alone.

I see you have Overeaters Anonymous meetings there in Sweden and I hope if there is a meeting near where you live that you will consider attending it. The 12 step program got me to stop my bulimia after 12 years of throwing up! And now I have been free of it for almost 20 years – a miracle to me.

I have been many places in Europe, as I have shot several films over there. I also lived in France as a child and modeled in Milan, Italy as a teenager. My mother is British, so I have relatives in England. But I have never been to Sweden. I know several people from there, though, and they are wonderful and smart and so proficient at English (like you!). One day I would like to go to Sweden.

Thank you for writing. Congratulations on your success overcoming anorexia. That is a big deal.

Best wishes,
Alexandra

Dear Tom,

I do support the gay community. My twin sister is gay, so I have a special affinity. I believe I am half gay because she is my identical twin! I am so happy she is a lesbian, as she has enriched the life of our family by introducing us to her lovely girlfriends.

I do not think I will be back on Mad Men, because I am Duck’s ex-wife. I wish I could come back, maybe harass him for alimony :). It was wonderful to be on that show, though – such a fun experience. Everything was very authentic – my entire wardrobe was vintage 1960s, even the undergarments!

It is wonderful you are now a runner. I recommend the magazine Runner’s World for general information on the sport. I also recommend you read the book
Born to Run, by Christopher MacDonald. I know several friends who could not run due to knee pain until they read that book and started running barefoot, or in
Vibram Five Fingers. I, who have not run since knee surgery 6 years ago, started running in them and noticed that I was able to run without knee stress for up to half an hour. Amazing!! It is a terrific read.

Before my surgery, when I was running, I got orthotics specially made to put in my running shoes. I was training for a marathon at the time and experiencing knee pain. Wore the orthotics: knee pain gone. I still put them in every footwear I wear now. Born to Run probably doesnt recommend orthotics, but they work for me in my everyday life.

I hope this helps! Keep up the running – in fact, run a few miles for me this month!

Happy Holidays,
Alexandra

Hi Lester,

I have not done any workout videos, but my husband, Ian Murray, is a triathlon coach and he sells fantastic dvds on swimming, biking and running, which include training routines you can download. The dvds are terrific and Ian is such a great coach. He is going to write a workout program for me in 2011 because I want to do a 12.5 mile swim race in June.

Best of luck with your training!

Alexandra