TV presenter Anthea Turner, 63, opens up about her delayed wedding plans to her businessman fiancé Mark Armstrong, 59, losing her beloved mum, how she and her sister Wendy reconciled following a fall out, plus an exciting new beauty venture.
Interview: Gemma Calvert. Images: Alison Webster
I worked out that if I live to the national average (early 80s) I’ve got about 20 years left! I don’t want to reach my 80s feeling that life is difficult, so my health has gone right to the top of my priority list.
Earlier this year, I was told I had osteopenia – the precursor to osteoporosis, which tends to attack women with a smaller frame, particularly those who are post menopausal. So for that I take a high-grade vitamin D supplement to help with calcium absorption and regulate bone turnover.
I also do weight-bearing exercises to strengthen my bones. When I’m just around the house or out for a walk, I’ll stick 5kg weights on my ankles and might also wear a weighted vest to give myself a bit more of a challenge.
I go for light jogs – 20 minutes out and 20 minutes back – no more than three times a week too because I’ve got to think about my joint health and running can wear them out. Jogging is great for your lymphatic system because when muscles contract, they push lymph through the lymph vessels. We don’t talk enough about the lymphatic system.
I also love Pilates. It’s important to keep your inner muscles as taut as the ones you can see on the outside!
When it comes to food and drink, I like a little bit of everything.
I eat meat, dairy, and lots of fish. Mark and I are quite Mediterranean in our diets. I don’t tend to have what I call “pretender” foods, so I’ll only ever have butter, not margarine. I stick to real foods.
The menopause changes your metabolism somewhat and my biggest piece of advice is to do your best to retain your waist. When it comes to weight, remember that a certain amount of it is hereditary but it also comes down to that magic mix of movement and food, and it’s about what you say no to, as well.
I think a lot about Fiona Philips and what she’s going through, plus Martin and her boys [In reference to Fiona’s husband and This Morning editor Martin Frizell and their teenage sons. Fiona was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at age 62]. At GMTV, Fiona and I walked the same path but were ships that passed in the night because she came in as I left. Of course, we’ve messaged each other since and seen each other at GMTV get togethers.
Due to her parents’ battle with Alzheime
