Ten years ago, Karl Lagerfeld and Dr. Jean-Claude Houdret released The Karl Lagerfeld Diet, a book that chronicles how the designer lost 80 pounds. Based on the doctor’s own Spoonlight program, it champions lots of fish, a low calorie intake and few red meats.

A decade later, we wondered if Lagerfeld was still on the plan, and how he feels about staying fit.

So I’m guessing you don’t eat at McDonald’s.
I have nothing against it, but I don’t eat garbage. Garbage is delicious but look at the effect, especially on American kids-it’s a nightmare, huh? [Gasp] Once a week, I eat meat because my doctor says it’s good. If not, I eat fish, steamed vegetables, steamed fruit and that’s nearly it.

Do you still stick to The Karl Lagerfeld Diet?
It’s not a diet. It’s a way of eating. If you were to have lunch with me you wouldn’t think for one second that it’s a diet. And my guests, they get sweets and such things but I haven’t touched sugar, sweets, or butter, cake, cheese-all of that-for more than 11 years and I’m not even tempted. I’m beyond temptation. I think that’s the best thing that can happen in life.

How do you get to be beyond temptation?
Sometimes I think my doctor hypnotized me. When I go to a party, or when I’m in the studio and there’s these huge buffets, for me, it’s as if the table was covered with plastic stuff. I don’t even think that one could eat it. Other dieters, they crave sugar and chocolate, no? Chocolate: I like the perfume of chocolate but I don’t have to eat it.

How much do you weigh?
I found out that clothes are much better than scales and things like this. Clothes don’t lie. If you have only clothes in one size and nothing one millimeter bigger, the minute something hurts somewhere, you know it’s time. And always keep a pair of tight jeans, something tight for control. I know a woman who every year put on her wedding dress just to see if she can still fit it. It’s only a problem if you have four or five weddings.