Brooke Shields talks to Fitness about self-confidence, being 42, and having a strong marriage

Actress Brooke Shields appears on the cover of Fitness magazine’s October issue. The star of this fall’s Lipstick Jungle and mom to daughters Rowan Francis, 4, and Grier Hammond, 16 months, opens up about being 42, working out, and dealing with the tough questions.

Click below for the baby-related highlights and another photo.

On being 42: I always wanted to feel fulfilled, but I wasn’t always convinced it was going to happen. But now that I have my husband [Chris Henchy] and my kids, I am. That makes me feel younger than I am — like life is just beginning for me.

Staying fit: I try to do an hour of something everyday.It’s almost impossible when I’m working, because I’m on the set for14-16 hours. But last summer, for instance, I’d take a Spinning classor do a morning hike when Rowan was at camp and the baby was asleep;that way I didn’t feel guilty about not being with them. Or in theafternoon I’d put both of them in the stroller and walk the L.A. hills.

But on days when the baby has woken up four times during the night,putting my sneakers on is the last thing I want to do. I’d rather havefour cups of coffee, and, after the caffeine wears off, take a nap withher! I used to have a very type-A lifestyle, but being a mom changedall that.

The importance of a strong marriage: My husband helps takethe pressure off. I’ve been married for seven years, and though life ishard — coordinating schedules and finding time for everything — ourrelationship isn’t. That enables me to be the kind of mom I want to beand have the kind of career I want.

On self-confidence: The process of doubting ourselvesstarts at a very young age. Rowan used to be so sure of herself, butthat changed since she started school. She’ll say, ‘Will I be morebeautifuller than you, Mommy?’ I don’t know where she gets that — Isure don’t put it in her head! So I’ll say, ‘How do you feel?’ And whenshe says she feels good, I tell her that means she is beautiful.

Source: Fitness, October issue, p. 108-111