Spring’s an ideal time for overhauling your health. This week 12 Celebrities - Angela Griffin, Lulu, Louis Smith, Kara Tointon, Michelle Collins, Victoria Pendleton, Kimberly Wyatt, Charlie Dimmock, Lisa Maxwell, Myleene Klass, Nell McAndrew, Anna Friel, and Carol Vorderman - share their tips for staying fit.
Angela Griffin
“The first thing I do in spring is pin up a holiday photo of myself where I think I look really ace!
“It inspires me to start getting my body ready for wearing shorts and T-shirts in the summer, when it’s vital to be lean, mean and tanned,” says TV presenter and actress Angela Griffin, 36.
“My way of getting fit is running and I usually clock up 20km a week. It’s perfect for me as it burns off the calories easily and means I can enjoy my food and avoid silly diets.”
Health booster: Griffin opts for a varied, balanced diet with lots of vegetables to boost energy and improve skin.
Lulu
“I give my system a rest and adjust my diet for a month at the start of spring,” says Lulu, the 64-year-old singer who’s launched a range of glasses for Specsavers.
“Instead of fasting, which I don’t agree with, I simply cut down on carbs and red meat and focus on fish, chicken, vegetables and lots of salads.
“Most importantly, I enhance every meal with handfuls of freshly chopped herbs, such as basil, mint, coriander and parsley, which make everything taste and smell delicious.”
“I’m conscientious about pilates and dance classes. It’s vital to keep moving as it helps you stay fit and feel younger!”
Health booster: Lulu takes a range of supplements every other month, and Chinese herbs to help balance her hormones.
Louis Smith
“As an athlete, I’m always watching my diet and spring’s no exception.
“I stay away from carbs apart from at lunchtime because you’re generally active during the day and can burn them off,” says Olympic gymnast and winner of Strictly Come Dancing Louis Smith, 23, who’s supporting the launch of a new yogurt, Danio.
“I’ll have a light meal in the evening with white meat but I rarely eat later than 6pm.
“I’ve found the perfect snacking solution, [protein yoghurt] Danio, which is low fat but packed with protein and staves off mid-morning hunger pangs after my breakfast of fibre, fruit and oats.”
Health booster: Smith takes Berocca for his immune system, and vitamin D and cod liver oil tablets for bone and joint health.
Kara Tointon
“At the start of every spring, I treat myself to a spa day with my mum and my sister. We have a massage, a swim, and just totally relax and focus on what we need to do to prepare for summer,” says former EastEnders star Kara Tointon.
“I’m addressing my winter skin currently. I suffer from dry skin and it started peeling, so now I’m slathering on moisturiser and paying particularly attention to my hands, which get quite sore and cracked as I rarely wear gloves.
“I’m also broadening my diet to include more salads and vegetables, and upping my intake of water. I can’t give up my daily portion of chocolate, though - it’s vital for my wellbeing!
Health booster: Tointon takes Better You Vitamin D spray, £7.29, Holland & Barrett, and fruit and vegetable supplement Juice Plus. (www.juiceplus.co.uk)
Michelle Collins
“Lighter mornings and better weather mean it’s getting easier to take longer ‘power walks’ with my rescue dog, Humphrey - that’s the best tonic for me at this time of year,” says Michelle Collins, 50, who plays Rovers landlady Stella Price in ITV’s Coronation Street.
“Exercise helps relax me mentally as I’m a bit of a live wire and can get quite stressed.”
Health booster: Collins limits her dairy intake and drinks soya milk and takes vitamin C, zinc, soya and fish oil supplements.
Victoria Pendleton
“This is a great time to get outdoors and exercise. I’m regularly doing 3km-5km runs in the woods near my house.
“Stella and Mr Jonty, my two doberman dogs, are my training partners and help motivate me when I’m tired,” says Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton, 32.
“I was never allowed to run when I was competing as a cyclist because of the risk of injury, so now I’m making up for lost time.”
Health booster: Pendleton relies on a balanced healthy diet including organic food.
Kimberly Wyatt
“I try to hit the gym five times a week, and watch the size of my food portions,” says ex-Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, who’s a judge on Sky1’s Got To Dance.
“I’m pretty energetic all the time, and if I have a performance coming up on Got To Dance, then I’ll rehearse eight hours a day, so I burn off calories easily. I’m normally between a size six and eight.
“I use Yu-Be, a Japanese skincare range, which has helped bring my skin back to life.”
Health booster: Wyatt recommends drinking vitamin-packed juices as an easy source of nutrients, and starts the day with carrot or orange juice.
Charlie Dimmock
“Getting out in the garden is mentally fabulous for you and helps your health and wellbeing all in one go,” says celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock.
“Even just half an hour raking up the leaves, hoeing or digging over flower borders is great cardiovascular exercise. Being outside, away from the central heating, is invigorating.”
Health booster: Dimmock uses Nelsons Calendula Cream, to nourish and protect her hands. It is £6.99 for a 50g tube, available from Boots, Holland & Barrett, pharmacies and health food stores.
Lisa Maxwell
“Juggling a full-time job, constantly being in the public eye, let alone looking after my teenage daughter and renovating my 17th-century home, can be pretty stressful,” says Lisa Maxwell, actress and presenter on ITV’s Loose Women.
“I take Vitano, a natural remedy containing an extract of Rhodiola rosea, which can help relieve symptoms of stress, such as fatigue and exhaustion.”
Health booster: Vitano, contains 200mg of Rhodiola rosea root extract, and is £13.99 for 30 tablets, available from Boots, pharmacies and health food stores.
Anna Friel
“I feel utterly cleansed and replenished having done The Lemon Detox,” says actress Anna Friel, 36.
She followed the three-day fast on a hotel break, followed by a more moderate home programme which includes eating healthy food.
“Since I completed the three days, I care more than ever about what goes into my body, and reduced my coffee intake.”
Health booster: Friel uses an indoor water-powered rowing machine several times a week and is a fan of running and Pilates.
Carol Vorderman
“I always start the year with a detox so I’m off on the right foot with my health and I make sure I take care of myself throughout the year,” says Carol Vorderman, 52, presenter on ITV’s Food Glorious Food.
“I never calorie count, I just try to eat a balanced diet which includes lots of salads, brown rice and vegetable curries. I allow myself treats when I eat out, life shouldn’t be about saying ‘no’ all the time.”
Health booster: Vorderman takes health supplement Bioglan Super Fish Oil, £16.99 for 60 capsules, available from Boots.
Nell McAndrew
“I take natural iron supplements to help give me a spring in my step and boost my energy levels,” says former model Nell McAndrew, 39.
“I first discovered the benefits of Spatone when I increased my exercise regime and started running marathons. My body then needed a higher level of iron which I couldn’t achieve in my diet alone.”
Health booster: McAndrew starts her day with hot water with fresh lemon juice to cleanse her system, and eats plenty of protein.
Myleene Klass
“Looking after my skin is a top priority and important as summer approaches,” says Myleene Klass, 34.
She uses SteamCream, an all-in-one natural moisturiser for the face and body.
“I use it everyday, everywhere, as it’s easily absorbed and luxurious and I like the lavender fragrance.”
Health booster: Klass takes fish oils to help her joints because after the birth of her second daughter, Hero, she suffered agonising back pain caused by the pregnancy.
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