How Candace Cameron Bure Stays Calm, Focused and Fit

If anyone understands what it means to struggle with body image as an adolescent, it would be Candace Cameron Bure. You may have watched her as D.J. Tanner on “Full House,” or maybe you’ve seen her in the recent rendition of “Fuller House.” Bure has been on camera since her most formative years and how she looked mattered. But now she's authored a book,"Staying Stylish," where she addresses how spiritual and mental confidence is what really counts.

It goes without saying that Bure has some great insight into the importance of self-esteem in young women. She deeply understands how focusing on our flaws impacts our mental and physical health.

“Since I was very young — since I was 9, 10 or 11 — I knew my body wasn’t perfect. I think that had to do with growing up on television,” she says. “I was always being fitted for clothes and my costume. And I became very aware of it, conscious of it and self-conscious of it too.”

How She Got In the Best Shape of Her Life

It wasn’t until her 30s that Bure developed a healthy relationship with food and fitness. “It was something that was always a part of my life but it was always a struggle. Like, ‘Oh I have to go work out today’ or ‘I shouldn’t eat this, can’t eat this and I should be eating this,’” she says. “It was always kind of a downer.”

She attributes breaking the vicious cycle of fitness letdowns to her husband, former ice hockey player Valeri Bure. “It doesn’t hurt to be married to a professional athlete. I learned a lot from him and taking cues from him, and in my 30s I finally found the types of exercises that I really liked.”

Bure discovered how the small details, such as choosing the right workout, can help you find happiness, fulfillment and confidence. Those were things she never gained from 45 minutes on an elliptical machine, but did by engaging in community classes like Spin.

“I realized how much I enjoyed working out with other people. I liked the energy in there,” she says. And I thought, ‘These are amazing exercises, and I’m not bored.’ That’s what changed everything for me.”

Everything meaning way more than just how her clothes fit, but her strength, focus and mental clarity. “I feel more indestructible in my 40s than I did in my 20s.”

What Healthy Habits Help Her Cope?

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When she’s under tremendous stress, Bure listens to her body to figure out what coping mechanism she needs — whether that is a run to sweat it out or a few minutes for mindfulness. “There is so much to manage, and taking that half-hour or hour makes a world of difference.”

But her biggest tool to keep her grounded and focused, she underscores, is her spirituality. “It just changes my attitude and puts my heart in the right place — with a mindset to be kind and serve other people.”

In a recent interview with LIVESTRONG.COM, Bure tells us how the simple things (such as what you chose to wear) can translate into a positive attitude toward yourself and others. Bure also shares the daily rituals that she swears by.

Watch to find out this “Full House” star’s favorite workout, bizarre grooming habit and why she kind of loves the Kardashians.

See more of LIVESTRONG’s Stronger Women interviews.