Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, 46, shares her health and fitness highs – and how she has dealt with the lows
WORDS: ANNA MATHESON. PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM@LISAJANERILEY, GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK, ALAMY
She’s been on our screens for more than 25 years as Emmerdale’s Mandy Dingle, and Lisa Riley says she’s never felt better. In fact, during her interview with Woman’s Own, she is exuding a youthful glow – and we tell her so!
‘Thank you! I am just me, but what I love is when people talk about my smile,’ the 46-year-old star says. ‘When anyone talks about my energy and zest for life – that’s what keeps me healthy.’
When the tough times have hit, Lisa says it’s having a good old giggle that has got her through. The actor explains, ‘Love and laughter. Even when my mum was at her worst time, we always used laughter to get through everything. That’s me through and through. If I can share that with others, then I feel blessed.’
THE JOURNEY
The star’s weight-loss journey has been well documented over the years, with Lisa choosing to adopt a healthier lifestyle after her mum’s death from cancer in 2012.
She says her stint on Strictly kick-started her healthy routine. Since then she’s gradually lost 12st, transforming from a size 28 to a size 12 to 14. Part of that she puts down to her beloved Zumba and says she attends boot camps. And when it comes to her eating routine, Lisa says she now has smaller portions and lots of fresh fruit and veg, adding, ‘I don’t believe in fad diets, even though I have tried them before. I have no food after 6.30pm. I only eat a carb if I need one and absolutely no bread or booze.’
The star, who has undergone surgery for excess skin since her weight loss, has insisted that she’s changed forever. It’s NOT a diet, it’s a LIFESTYLE....I’ve changed my life for the good,’ she says.
Lisa has spoken about her changing appearance, saying, ‘It is insane. I looked so different before. I was happy before but now I am happy and proud. I needed to do it. Who knows though. People can yo-yo diet.’
TOUGH TIMES
Lisa has had a particularly tough few months coping with the death of her fiancé Al’s mum, whom she affectionately refers to as Nana. And Lisa admit
