Davina McCall, 51, is in a good place right now and loving it. Although her personal life has been making the headlines of late -her divorce from ex-husband Matthew Robertson and tabloid claims that she’s been over-exercising – she’s kept calm and carried on. She’s recently launched her latest fitness wear collection with F&F and a new workout DVD (her 15th!), Power Box & Tone, to boot – admitting that many people now know her for her fitness than they do for TV. H&W caught up with her to discuss her love of working out and why she’s rising above the gossip.
On turning 50
When I was in my 20s or 30s, I was probably the most worried about turning 50. In reality, it was a lot less traumatic than turning 40. Possibly because my kids are a bit older, life is going well. I feel quite settled, I feel great about my body and I’m in great health. There was a lot more stress in my life when I turned 40. I had little children – a one-year-old, a four-year-old and a six-year-old – and life was absolutely chaotic and exhausting. So, I think that turning 50 has actually been a very pleasant experience and I feel like I’m at my peak. It’s really weird but rather lovely.
On keeping fit
I kept fit until I was about 24 or 25 by clubbing. I’d go out maybe four nights a week and I’d dance for six hours. Sure, I had a whale of a time. Then, when I stopped, I was questioned what had happened to my body and so I started going to to the gym but I wasn’t working out properly. It was only when I got pregnant with my second child that I thought to myself that this baby’s ravaged my body and I think I really need to do something about it – I want to stay toned, I don’t want cellulite everywhere. I met Jacqui and Mark [Davina’s former personal trainers] and they changed my life because they got me really enjoying exercise and showed me all of the different types of workouts that I could do. I decided that I wanted to share that with other people, so I started making DVDs with them. And then the rest is history. It’s amazing to think that lots of people know me more for my fitness now that they do for TV!
On accusations of over-exercise
It doesn’t really make me feel anything. If I could be an exercise addict, I would love to be, given half a chance! It’s funny how people talk about this kind of terrible thing of addiction to exercise. I mean, I haven’t exercised for two weeks because I’ve been working so hard. I would give anything to go to the gym more. I’d love to be able to do that but I work, I’m a mum and I cannot be addicted to exercise.
It’s just a bit of a silly nothing. Because of my busy schedule, the most I can do is three to four times a week. But the minute I retire or the kids leave home or whatever, I’d love to work out daily. I don’t see what’s wrong with it. I’d love to do an hour every day, whether it be a walk, or a cycle, or a swim – just to keep moving.
To read the full interview, pick up the March issue of Health & Wellbeing with Davina McCall, on sale on the 31st January.
Looking for some fitness tips from Davina? Here’s her workout dos and don’ts!
