(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Christina Hendricks isnt allowed to exercise with weights as they would ruin the look of her Mad Men character.

The actress plays Joan Harris in the American television show, which is set in the world of advertising in the 1960s. Everyone involved in the programme has worked hard to make it look as realistic as possible, with the costumes and hairstyles winning praise.

Christina is famed for her voluptuous body, which she keeps trim by exercising. She has revealed she has been stopped from working out in certain ways by Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner to ensure she is as believable as possible.

Matt would go crazy if he saw a defined arm," she laughed. "He's very strict about everything being just right and you have to be very careful when you're doing a period piece. It's important you don't see sculpted 2010 bodies.

Christina is proud of her body, and has never been tempted to slim down. She admits having some awkward years at school, but her family taught her to be proud of the way she looks.

The star eats well and works out to ensure she is as healthy as possible, explaining she has a trick to ensure she only snacks on things which are good for her.

I am a good cook. There, I said it," she told Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald. "I like to make a bit of everything and I rarely cook the same thing twice. I'm constantly trying new things but our favourites are Indian food. I also like to make soups. We try to keep soups in the fridge all the time. That way, when you feel like a snack, there's always something healthy. (C) Cover Media