Get Slim with the Help of Miss New York

Back on January 30, Scarsdale resident Alyse Zwick, also known as Miss New York, competed in the 2010 Miss America Pageant. She did not return home with the crown. However, she did not leave the competition empty-handed.

Zwick was one of three winners of the Miss America preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness category on January 27. She wore a black Winnwear swimsuit that highlighted her toned and lean physique. Her sculpted body won over the judges, and she was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Now Alyse Zwick wants to help other women get their bodies just as fit and slim as hers. She does not promise her routines will guarantee the same results, but with the right commitment the routines can help ready your body for swimsuit season.

"Diets never work. It's really about making a commitment, and allowing some leeway for fat and weaknesses too," said Zwick. "It's all about creating a lifestyle that fits your means."

In her daily eating regimen, Zwick keeps the carb load really light, and sugar intake low. To a certain extent, she prohibits herself from eating fried food and pasta. Her favorite thing to eat is a cobb salad, particularly the vegetables and grilled chicken, from Metro Deli. Zwick often turns to suggested recipes from the South Beach diet.

While her daily meals are light and healthy, Alyse Zwick admits to being a "sucker for cheesecake."

Zwick's typical food shopping list includes:

•  Eggs
• Grilled chicken
• Melba toast ("Just pop in the toaster whenever I have a craving.")
• Vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, and kidney beans
• Apples
• Mandarin oranges
• Cottage cheese
• Greek yogurt
• "Lots of Smart Water"

As for her workout routine, Alyse Zwick has trainers Kira Stokes (Equinox and Reebok Sports Club/NY) and Danielle Jolie pushing her. Equinox trainer Danielle Jolie, who has also been with the Rockettes for 17 years, serves as Zwick's Ballecore instructor.

Ballecore incorporates pilates, hatha yoga, and classical ballet while stimulating both a physical and a mental conditioning. Ballecore helps Zwick to develop abdominal strength, and improve her balance and flexibility. The workout also increases muscle activity and speeds up the metabolism.

Zwick tends to focus on cardio and weights when working out. She recommends doing c curves (pilates) and low-ab repetitions for flatter abs. She also practices Bikram yoga, which is held in a heated room. Bikram yoga also detoxifies the body through perspiration while simultaneously toning the muscles.

"I love sweating everything out and relieving stress," explained Zwick. "It is an intense workout session."

Zwick hits the gym for 1 ½ to 2 hours a day, six days a week, and leaves one day to rest. She increased her commitment to 2 to 4 hours during her training for Miss America. And, she added ballet and reserved a 1-hour slot for practicing her talent.

After the Miss America pagent, Alyse Zwick is currently balancing her aggressive workout routine with getting back into the swing of things like catching up with school work. She is a part-time student at CUNY School of Professional Studies pursuing a Master's Degree in Fine Arts. She also considers herself as a full-time professional actress/model/dancer.