The reality TV star talks Crohn's disease, juicing nightmares and her love of fitness
The former
reality TV star and Crohn’s disease sufferer is on a mission to get us
all slim, healthy and strong with her new website Celebrity Training
with Sam Faiers: www.celebritytraining.co.uk.
But it hasn’t always been tough workouts and feel-good food. Here, she
shares the food and fitness lessons she’s learned to help you reach your
healthy weight.
1. Eat what you want
I’m good about what I fill my body with. I love fruit and veggies and
fish and meat, but I’m not a mad strict dieter. I would never say: ‘Oh
no, I can’t have bread’. So long as you’re exercising on a regular
basis, you can let yourself eat things that you enjoy. It’s important to
eat the food that you like it, it makes me happy and I’m sure it must
make a lot of other people happy, too.
2. Know your limits
When I was first diagnosed with Crohn’s disease I was on a shake
diet, and after I came off that I was very strict with myself and cut
out a lot. Now I’m in phase two of remission, and I’ve got everything
under control, so I’m a lot more relaxed about it. I just have to avoid
certain things: anything spicy or acidic, so a hot curry or tomatoes and
wine are all out. Just one glass and the next day I’ll feel like I’ve
got the worst hangover ever. So not worth it!
3. Drink loads of water
Whenever I want to lose a couple of pounds I drink as much water as
possible – especially if I’ve had a bad week eating. Two litres just
seems to wash everything through and it makes your skin and hair look
great, too.
4. Don’t follow fads
I need my three meals a day. I tried juicing, nearly passed out and
ended up having a McDonald’s on day two. I couldn’t get out of my bed
and my mum was like, ‘Pull yourself together, what have you done?’ I
felt so weak I genuinely couldn’t move. Never again.
5. Remember, it’s all in the timing
I always try to start big in the morning and go lighter throughout
the day. So long as you eat well the rest of the day, even having that
bacon sandwich in the morning is not the end of the world. Eating
something substantial and good in the morning sets you up for the day
and gives you the fuel you need – whether you’re working or a mum
running around. Plus, it will keep you full up so you’ll probably have a
lighter lunch.
6. Work it off
As women, we’re hard on ourselves and there is always room for
improvement. But this New Year, don’t make yourself miserable by
depriving yourself; do everything in moderation, eat the stuff you love
and exercise regularly. Don’t think about diet and exercise in terms of
being skinny, think about them helping you reach your healthy weight,
making you strong – and allowing you to feel great in your clothes.
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