Face to face with Davina McCall

Exercise enthusiast, Big Brother presenter and TV personality Davina McCall has just launched a new fitness range of equipment and she is currently training to take part in Sport Relief

Healthy: Do you work out with a personal trainer?
Davina: “No, I have my own gym at home and I’m a great believer that you can have a complete workout without leaving the house. You can use a couple of tins of baked beans if you don’t have weights, and a skipping rope isn’t expensive.”

Healthy: How often do you work out?
Davina: “Three times a week for an hour at a time. I have tried it every which way but that routine keeps me in shape and makes me feel healthy.”

Healthy: What motivates you?
Davina: “I have to have goals. I am seriously competitive. At the moment I am training to cycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End for Sport Relief (19 March) – it’s a non-stop relay race of over 1,000 miles. It’s really weird learning to ride these super fast bikes – you lean forward with your head and neck and stick your bum in the air! But I’m enjoying pushing myself, slightly nervous about feeling a bit lonely though.”

Healthy: Do you ever worry about your weight?
Davina: “All the time – but if I exercise I can eat normally and enjoy life. I also never weigh myself and judge my weight by my clothes – it’s more accurate.”

Healthy: How has motherhood affected your get-fit routine?
Davina: “Well the kids see exercise as a part of their lives, as they’re so used to seeing me and my husband Matthew working out, they love being in the gym with us. I always feel really fat when I’m pregnant though, because I take my exercise routine right down to gentle and really I prefer hard core cardio which has me dripping in sweat! But I always get back in shape after each pregnancy, but I take it really slowly and safely. “

Healthy: What’s your least favourite exercise?
Davina: “Press-ups for sure! They’re just not natural for a woman.”

Healthy: How do you stay motivated?
Davina: “I find that filming an exercise video in the middle of winter is enough motivation to stay off the lard and move my ass! And it’s always motivating to know you’re going to have to wear a bikini in the sunnier months.”

Healthy: What’s your guilty pleasure?
Davina: “Banoffee Pie – I cannot say no to it – I love it – not just one slice, but two!”

Healthy: Any tips for our readers about safely working out?
Davina: “Get your core strong – that’s the back and stomach so that you prevent injury. Always, always stop if something hurts.”
Interview by Jane Druker