It is with a transformed body that the host Benjamin Castaldi recently appeared in a photo on Instagram. The ambassador of “Comme j’aime” revealed behind the scenes of this physical transformation in an interview with “Le Journal des Femmes”.
Benjamin Castaldi has set himself a new challenge: to have an (almost) perfect body! Determined to give himself the means to achieve his ambitions, the Comme j’aime ambassador spends many hours at the gym and watches his diet like milk on a stove. Exclusive interview for The Women’s Journal.
Many Internet users have noticed your advantageous muscles in recent weeks. What is your secret?
Benjamin Castaldi. I do between 4 to 5 hours of strength training and between 4 to 5 hours of walking on an incline per week. So I’m actually giving myself the means to have this body!
The team of All beautiful, all new suspected you of using AI to obtain the advantageous photos you post on social media. What do you answer them?
I deny the use of artificial intelligence. I photoshopped the images a little to remove the creases because there are a few that bother me but the basis is there I assure you!
“I sometimes let myself go over a glass of rosé”
Why are you investing so much?
I am passionate about medicine and the WHO regularly reminds us that physical activity is the key to feeling good. On the other hand, good musculature helps hold the body together. Health authorities therefore encourage those over 50 to continue to maintain their muscles, to eat protein and to ensure that they have a solid framework around their bones. Cardio is good but what seems most important is muscle. And I do a lot of it!
Do you also do it to feel better?
I wanted to feel good in my body and fit into size 30 or 32 pants. Afterwards, I’m not an ayatollah and I sometimes let loose over a glass of rosé, but I try to be very careful. On the other hand, as I am an ambassador for Comme j’aime, I cannot gain weight so I might as well try to be in shape
Isn’t it too complicated to do so much sport when you work?
No, it’s a question of motivation and organization. On the other hand, sport makes you feel better and have better quality nights. Constraining yourself to discipline allows you to have, as the Americans say, a good mindset.
“It’s the other side of the coin”
Aren’t you at risk of falling into bigorexia (sports addiction)?
Indeed, that is the danger. When I don’t exercise for two days or eat pizza, I can quickly panic. I agree that it’s a bit excessive but that’s the other side of the coin.
You have been an ambassador for Comme j’aime for 7 years and you seem to assume this role perfectly.
Yes, and even more so because if Comme j’aime was not effective, it would not be successful. Certain dishes are certainly less good than others but it is a question of taste and this program allows you to have good discipline. The other advantage of Comme J’aime is that when you’re working, it’s easy to take a dish and put it in the microwave. It changes life!
You are also the author of recipe books published by Comme j’aime. What is your relationship with food?
As I watch my diet, I have to cook and find tips using spices or herbs to liven it up a little. Because otherwise we always eat the same thing and it drives you crazy!
Have you always loved cooking?
Not at all because before I didn’t cook. But the idea is to enjoy eating healthy things by focusing on the taste of course but also on the visual, the smell etc.
You lost 10 kilos 7 years ago thanks to Comme j’aime. Have you now reached your ideal weight?
I’m not going to lie to you: it varied a bit. In summer, when you are by the sea and there is an aperitif every day, you have to loosen a notch in your belt when you come home! (laughs) You just need to pay attention for a week and everything will rebalance. But weighing 10 kilos less is life-changing, especially since originally and with my parents, I don’t have a slim physique. At 18, I weighed 100 kilos and, throughout my life, weight was a struggle: I gained 10 kilos, I lost 10 which I gained back, etc. However, I am not looking for excuses on the side of genetics because we must not deceive ourselves: when we eat less, we lose weight and when we eat too much, we gain weight.
You are 55 years old: are you at a period in your life where you feel good?
I’m pretty happy, balanced and surrounded by people I love. I have a little boy who I am lucky enough to see grow up and take to school, which was not the case with my other children. So yes, I feel good about myself and in good health… which is still the most important thing!
Exclusive interview which cannot be repeated without mention of the Women’s Journal.
