The Reach Out: Carol Leifer
The comedian, writer, and producer loves to break a sweat and says exercise is a "bad mood buster."
Comedian, writer, producer,and author — Carol Leifer really has done it all.
Leifer has starred in five comedy specials that have aired on HBO, Showtime, and Comedy Central.
She is currently a writer/producer on both HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and the CBS sitcom B Positive.
A four-time Emmy nominee for writing on The Larry Sanders Show, and Seinfeld, Leifer was also the recipient of the Writers Guild award for her work on Modern Family.
Leifer is the author of two best selling books, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying and When You Lie About Your Age, the Terrorists Win: Reflections on Looking in the Mirror.
I spoke with Carol Leifer about why she loves to break a sweat.
Is staying active a priority for you?
Regular exercise is super important to me and always has been. Working out is something I actually enjoy doing — I love the feeling of breaking a sweat while doing cardio. I consider exercise kind of like a reset of the odometer — it sets me up for a new day. I get up, make myself a really strong cup of coffee, and then I’ll do cardio or walk. So I’m definitely a morning workout person.
Exercising too late in the day can mess up my sleep. I think another reason I like working out regularly is that I am someone who has a very defined routine. So it’s morning exercise all the way, and a good sleep.
Speaking of routines, did the pandemic force you to change things up?
I was doing a lot of Spin classes before the pandemic, which I really enjoyed, in part because of the camaraderie. When COVID shut things down, I bought a Stairmaster, and I use it about four times a week. It’s definitely intense — it only takes half an hour to break a sweat — but I love it and I always feel so good afterward.
I also like to go for hikes — a good one takes about an hour and 15 minutes.
Do you listen to music or a podcast, or watch TV, while you work out?
When I’m on the Stairmaster, I will listen to music on my headphones. It’s so much easier to make a playlist than it used to be! I remember making cassette tapes from my record albums!
I am not interested in watching television — or looking at any screen — while exercising. If I were doing a Peloton class, something my wife likes to do, watching the instructor on the screen would make sense
When I’m walking or hiking, I turn my phone off and just enjoy nature. That’s what I really love about walking, so I’m amazed to see so many people walking their dogs while talking on — or looking at — their phones. I always think, “That’s not fair to your dog! Focus on the walk!”
Do you wear a fitness monitor to track your steps and movement?
I’m 65, so it's very hard for me to change my routine at this point. The Stairmaster tells me that I burn 250 calories in a half hour and that’s the only monitor I need. I know that I've had a good workout because I’ve broken a sweat and I feel really good. That’s what is important to me.
What motivates you to be so disciplined with your exercise routine?
A big motivation for me is definitely the mental health aspect. Maybe it’s the endorphins I get from doing cardio, or hiking or walking, but exercising always makes me feel so good. It is a bad mood buster! It’s hard to have a bad day after a great workout. Another motivator is just staying healthy and active. I find that I eat better when I work out, so I view exercise like the gift that keeps on giving.
I want young people to find some sort of exercise that they enjoy.
Is there a sport or fitness trend that you think you might like to try?
I might like to try the Elliptical. I’ve always wondered if I would find it as intense as the Stairmaster. I’ve been told that you can get a pretty good workout. I'd also like to go back to Spinning because I really did enjoy those classes a lot.
Do you think exercising helps you creatively?
For sure. What I like about walking, especially in the mornings, is that I come up with better and more creative ideas. I’m also able to think more clearly when I’m moving.
When you aren’t on the Stairmaster, hiking, or walking, what are you up to now?
I'm a co-executive producer and writer on B Positive, and we're waiting to hear if we’ve been renewed for a third season. I’m also a writer and producer on Curb Your Enthusiasm, and you mentioned my book, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying.
I wish everyone could have heard the passion in Carol Leifer’s voice when she talked about exercising (especially the Stairmaster!). This is someone who genuinely loves working out and recognizes its benefits (creativity and humor, among them).😂
Thank you, @carolleifer
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