The TV star talks how she fits exercise in her day and the advice she would give to her younger self
What is your daily routine?
“My life doesn’t really have a routine, which is why lockdown was lovely for a while because I was at home all the time, like everyone else! At the moment, I’m in and out of the studio a lot, but I always try to have two or three nights where my other half [voice of Love Island, Iain Stirling] and I sit down for dinner together.”
How do you make time to work out?
“I travel a lot for work, so the one thing I always make sure I pack are my trainers. I remember I was in Mexico for one night and I got up at 6am and did a quick run around the city because it suited my schedule. That’s why the Nintendo RingFit Adventure is also perfect for me right now. Sometimes I find it hard to get motivated to exercise, but this is a full-body workout – rather than pressing your thumbs on a button – using real-life moves to help you defeat a bodybuilding dragon and his minions. Before you start, the RingFit measures your strength, so it’s going to push you, but not enough that it’s too hard and you won’t want to continue with it. There really is a level for everybody, so whether you’ve got 10 or 20 minutes, you can just roll out of bed, play a few games and then get on with your day!”
Have you noticed the mental health benefits of exercise?
“[Exercise] is incredible for your wellbeing. My mindset isn’t about weight loss, I like to focus on how I’m going to feel afterwards, and it’s refreshing to not have to be on my phone for half an hour! After I exercise, I get an exhilarating feeling that I’ve achieved something. Plus, you’re less likely to eat that chocolate bar for breakfast if you’ve done a little workout in the morning, aren’t you?”
How do you like to wind down?
“I love a bath – I could spend an hour in there. I know it’s a classic, but I also enjoy sitting on the sofa and watching a good boxset. I’m really into Cobra Kai at the moment.”
Do you think your relationship with food and fitness has changed over time?
“It changes every week! I can go through stages where I’ll be eating out a lot or if I’m on set there’ll be lovely food around that someone else has prepared, but having a meal with your family or partner and enjoying it, rather than eating on the go, is something I’ll always make time for. I feel like when I was younger I could get away with eating rubbish and it wouldn’t really make a difference, but now that I’m in my 30s, it definitely has an effect on my energy levels.”
What advice would you give to your younger self?
“I guess hindsight is great, isn’t it? I wish I could’ve told myself not to care so much about what other people think of you because realistically, they’re probably only thinking about themselves and what other people think about them; it’s only when you get older than you realise that. I think we’re our own worst critic, so I would say not to get too bogged down by things that don’t matter and not be so hard on myself.”
My wellness go-tos
- Having a relaxing bath
- Playing my nintendo ringfit
- A sit-down meal with my partner
Laura Whitmore is an ambassador for Nintendo’s Ring Fit Adventure, an action adventure game that you progress with real-life exercises and movements. The game includes hundreds of full-body workouts with customisable difficulty, perfect for keeping fit while in the comfort of your own home.
