Sophia Bush Loves Her Healthy Curves

You’re passionate about health-care reform. How did you get involved?
It’s easy to be in your 20s and feel like you’re invincible. But I had a friend who at 23 went through two rounds of lymphoma, beat cancer, and then had to beat it again. And my grandfather died of lung cancer last year, which was really hard. I’ve had many family members go through the health-care system, and it just shocks me that we leave so many people by the wayside in this country.

So are you more vigilant with your own health?
It’s the reason I’m not a smoker or a big drinker, and it’s why I’m getting more active. For me, fitness isn’t about wanting to be rated with Jessica Alba on the “Hot 100” list. I want to be able to hike the mountains of California with my grandkids. And I don’t want to go through what I watched my grandparents go through.

You seem so grounded.
To be honest, I’m amazed that other people aren’t! I think the weird “I’m fabulous, I’m entitled to everything” attitude that pervades parts of Hollywood is nauseating.

How do you combat stress?
Calling my mom or my best friends to say hi, because hearing their voices makes me feel better. Or, I go to the gym. (Read about Sophia's typical Saturday night.)

Ever had trouble with your weight?
I think we all have. You can look up old episodes of my show and see when I was being far too friendly with the craft-services table. Because I’m 5-foot-4 and athletically built, if I gain 5 pounds it looks like a lot. And when that lovely female time of the month rolls around, I’m like, “Can I have my jeans a size up, please?” But I feel you should treat yourself in moderation.

You’re very focused. What’s next for you?
Of course, I have a set of things I want to achieve. But I also don’t like to think too far ahead because then you stop paying attention to your life. It’s more important to me to make sure I’m being a good friend, a good coworker, a good daughter. The important thing is to be happy every day.