Hottest new step-mom ever, Sandra Bullock answers some InStyle Magazine readers’ question and makes some revelations about the “Matrix” role she didn’t get, her guilty pleasures and feeling awkward and sad when she was younger. Sandra’s secret to keep in shape is to talk a lot!!

Sandra Bullock’s new movie “All About Steve” comes out in October. Here are some highlights from Sandra Bullock’s Instyle Q&A:

Which role did you really want and not get? “There haven’t been any roles that I wanted that I didn’t get, but there was a movie I wish I had done: The Matrix. At the time [I was approached about it], it wasn’t cast with Keanu [Reeves], and I didn’t see myself with the person they wanted [in it]. Later I saw the movie and loved it. It was sexy and great because of Carrie-Anne [Moss] and Keanu.”

I read once you have a “cheat day” once a week when you eat whatever you want. Do you still follow that rule? “I start Friday night and I end Saturday night. But it is not so regimented. I’ll make lists of what I want to eat this week or next week. I was in the store Marfa and they had this dark chocolate with bacon in it so I’ve gotta try that! I eat really well because I can afford to. Like last night I had brown rice and black beans and some steamed vegetables so today I’m going to have all kinds of good stuff! I love sweets, like Viennese pastry, raw cookie dough, or a nice bowl of Lucky Charms with milk that I eat in bed watching SNL. That’s heaven right there!”

What do you tell a girl who feels ugly because she’s not blond or doesn’t have a thin nose? “Welcome to my broken nose! [Her sister accidentally broke it while lifting a garage door when they were younger.] …I was rejected in school because I didn’t look like the big-breasted, beautiful girls. I was awkward and sad. My mother always said, “Be original!” but I didn’t understand until I changed to be like everyone else. Once I fit in, I was like, What have I done? I realized that my friends before were much cooler, with a great sense of humor and a way of looking at the world that was more fun. But if I hadn’t gone through that, I wouldn’t have been driven to make my oddities cool. It’s what made me have a sense of humor and thick skin. It’s like in All About Steve—I’m making fun of everything people have judged me for and put it into one character.”

What was the first thing you splurged on? “It was a black BMW for my mom and dad. I gave it to them on Christmas. I remember seeing my mom’s face, it was pouring rain in D.C. and I drove it up to the front of the house with a big ribbon on it. I actually just bought it back from my dad. He was going trade it in and I was like ‘I want that car!’”

How do you stay in shape? “People ask, “How do actresses do it?” Um, they pay us to do this in order to look good on film. I do Pilates, kickboxing, weight training. When I’m in Austin, I run or ride a bike. If I can work out every day, I will. But there are times when I won’t do anything for two weeks, and I’m, like, you know what? I talk enough to burn calories.”

What’s your most memorable fashion moment? “My wedding dress. It was beautifully handcrafted, with elegant French lace. Angel Sanchez designed it, and every time I’d try it on, he’d say, “Sandra, please [lose] five pounds!” I apologize, Angel. I didn’t give him those five pounds, but guess what? That round, shiny, happy person was me.”

[images: InStyle]