Niki Taylor: Back and Better Than Ever

On Tyra, the Paparazzi, and Her Very First Diet

FITNESS: How did you feel when your friend Tyra Banks was called out by the tabloids for her size?

Niki: That was really harsh. Tyra is beautiful -- they distorted her photos. There she is, on vacation, and someone is sticking a camera up her rear. Anyone photographed that way would be mortified! I guess they're called rags for a reason.

FITNESS: Does getting older also mean getting smarter about how you treat your body?

Niki: This is the first time in my life I've been on a diet. As you age, your body just doesn't forgive as much, and I've had to learn to be much healthier in how I eat now than I was 10 years ago. I am working with a nutritionist, who has me eat five or six small meals or snacks a day. We count carbs, measure body fat, and generally just try to keep me healthy! She sends the food to my house every four days, so I don't even have to shop for it.

FITNESS: Sounds great. How did you find your nutritionist?

Niki: Through my husband, Burney. He's a NASCAR driver, and his pit crew uses this program to stay in shape. It's a lot of organic foods -- no preservatives. I eat things like turkey sausage and blueberry pancakes for breakfast, salads for lunch, and chicken-and-broccoli casserole for dinner.