Ugly Betty's Ana Ortiz Talks Fitness, Pizza and Dropping Baby Weight

Less than three months after giving birth to her first child, Ana Ortiz hosted the FITNESS Mind Body Spirit Games in New York's Central Park. That's Fit caught up with the actress who plays Betty's sister Hilda to find out what she does to fit into some of her outrageous outfits on the show, and how she's looking so good just after having her daughter, Paloma. Despite the success of "Ugly Betty," this New York native is completely grounded, from being honest about shoring up her diet as she gets older, to admitting she doesn't like to pay a lot to get a good workout.


That's Fit: You recently had a baby, what have you done to get back into shape?

Ana Ortiz: They do say breastfeeding is nature's lipo. I attribute it to working out while I was pregnant. I particularly attribute it to this place in New York, Le Maison, where you're using your own body weight and rubber bands. Also, I'm in New York, so I'm walking everywhere.


TF: You used to dance when you were younger, do you still dance?

AO: I've always been a physical person, but I get bored easily, so dancing is a wonderful workout. And also, you develop a longer, leaner muscle. I'm taking this dance cardio class. It's Tracy Anderson, and that has kicked my butt. I do that when I can. And we dance a lot on set, and at any family gathering, there's always music and dancing.

TF: Do you work out with a trainer?

AO: When I was pregnant, I had a trainer at Le Maison. I didn't want to hurt anything. Honestly, I'm [usually] too cheap to have a trainer. I take some classes when I can. My husband is a tennis addict. So I've just started getting into that.

TF: What does your diet look like?

AO: My diet has always been OK, but not great. But the older I got, it's like, "Oh, I can't have pizza at two in the morning?!" Because I'm breastfeeding, I have to have more fat, so I've been on a quest for healthy fats -- avocados, fish, nuts. But I have my weaknesses, like red wine is a big weakness. Pizza. Definitely pizza.

TF: Have you started thinking about fitness differently now that you're a mom?

AO: I think it's really important for my daughter to see her parents being physically fit and for that to be a part of her life. It's really easy to let go. It's really easy to sit on the couch. The examples we set for her will stay with her the rest of her life.

TF: You are a busy, working mom and although you could afford a trainer, you don't use one. What do you say to people who say they don't have the time or money to be healthy?

AO: You don't need money, like, go outside and take a walk. It's so easy to make excuses. It's a problem in today's society, everyone is always like 'victim, victim, victim.'

TF: Finally, what can we expect for Hilda and the cast of "Ugly Betty" this season?

AO: This season is going to be off the hook. I'm so excited about it. Adam Rodriguez from "CSI Miami" is coming on the show. The biggest thing for the Suarez family will be with Hilda's son. Watching Mark Indelicato, he's one of the bravest actors I've ever seen. I think it's going to be ground-breaking television.

You can check out the season premiere of "Ugly Betty" tonight on ABC at 8/7 central.