S D M W A TRICTLY’S DIANNE ON MIXINGUP WORKOUTS, AND ALOVE OF COOKING

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OESTRICTLYPRO TALKSTO LISA SALMON ABOUT HER WHOME WORKOUT PROGRAMME, AND WHY SHE AND RTNER JOE SUGG HAVE BEEN ‘PASSING SHIPS’ LATELY

Asa top professional dancer, Dianne Buswell works hard to stay fit– and that doesn’t just mean putting less hours on thedancefloor The physical, mental and onal health benefits of dance ndless. But as adancer Idon’t ance, Idoalot of other things elp my body get dance-fitand -ready,” says the flame-haired yCome Dancing pro, who sa personaltrainer and fits uts in between dance sessions. ncing is definitely enough you fit, but if Ijust keep on gand dancing and dancing, I’m he same muscle groups and I ododifferent things in order to ge different muscles, so Idon’t njured and Ican do this for a er time,” she explains. “And because your body gets dtocertain workouts, and I’ve ced since Iwas about four years it’s about muscle memory for So Itry to do different things.” in end “T emoti are en just da that he danceStrictly also has workou “Dan to keep dancing using th have to engag get in longe “ used danc old, i me. S A is now secrets Danc –wh work samb is ava Gym

Australian-born Dianne, 33, wsharing her dance fitness sinaworkout programme –ceworks by Dianne Buswell hich features dance-inspired kouts from hip-hop and ba to ballroom and ballet, and ailable on fitness platform mondo (gymondo.com/en).

“You don’t have to be adancer at all– it’s just using different muscles that you probably think: ‘I didn’t even know that existed’,” she says of the workouts.

“Sometimes you do aworkout and you’re just doing it because you have to, but Ialwaysfeel exercise should be something we do because we enjoy it, and we’re grateful our bodies can actually move,” Dianne adds. “I love the fact that Idoaworkout and think it was hard, and also think it’s so cool that my body can do that.

“If Ican help anyone change their mindset about working out and making it areally fun activity,then Ifeel like my job’s done.”

The year after she joined Strictly, Dianne reached the final with her 2018 series partner,YouTuber Joe Sugg. They finished as runners-up –but eventually cameaway with abigger prize than the famous Glitterball Trophy as they fell in love, and now live together in the Sussex countryside.

And happily,the end of his Strictly stint didn’t stop Joe dancing with Dianne.

“Westill dance together.Hefellin love with dancing, and it’s obviously something he’s always around, because I’m always dancing, or showing him what we’ve done or asking what he thinks of aroutine. He’s still around it, so he still likes to do alittle dance every now and then, for sure.”

Another of Dianne’s loves is cooking –inspiredbyher Italian mother

“When Iget time, Iabsolutely love to cook,” she says. “My mum’s Italian, and I’ve grown up learningtocook from her.I’ve always been quite afoodie –I’ve got two older brothers, my dad loves food, we all love food in my family.Ido really enjoy cooking and I’m always really interested in the Mediterranean diet.

“My mum is very health-conscious in terms of what products she uses, so I’ve grown up learning to cook good, hearty meals that aregood for you, using natural ingredients.”

She doesn’t eat chicken or red meat, but does eat fish and says her go-todish is agood ratatouille. “I eat as healthily as I can –but I’m only human and Ilove my chocolate. Istill have adrink every now and then, so it’s not like Idon’t do any of that stuff,but Idorealise theeffect it has on my body.The more in tune you are with your body,the more you realise what you’re putting into it does have an effect on what you get out of it,” Dianne reflects.

“With my intense scheduling, Ihave to look after myself and eat the right food. Iwant to feel good, so Idon’t restrict what Ieat, Ijustthink about my options better.R than going for something that’s filled with sugar or processed, I’ll try and go for the more natural option.”

Joe is agreat cook too, she says, although he’s not one to whip up quick meals. “Joe’s actually avery good cook –the only thing with Joe is he’s very slow,whereas I’m very fast in the kitchen. If he’s going to make dinner,he should start it at lunchtime and by dinner it’ll be ready!”

The couple havebeen like “passing ships” recently,she laments. Joe went on holiday to South Africa after Christmas, while she spent Christmas and New Year in Australiawithher family –then as soon as shegot back, Dianne started the Strictly live tour

“I got home, unpacked my nice summery outfits, packed my winter outfits, and off Iwent. It’s been abusy one, but this was really the only time I could fitingoing to Australia, so Ihad to go. Iloved it because Igot to spend Christmas and NewYear with my family, but it meant as soon as Igot back straight into work again. it’s all good, Iloveit.” So will she ever go back to live in her homeland?

“Never say never,” Dianne says with a laugh.

“But at the moment, all my work is here, I’ve got my house here with Joe, my friends, and Joe’s family is now my family.I’ve got everything here apart from my own immediate family,which is the hardest thing, obviously “But Ilove my work, and while it’s still booming over here, I’m really loving it in theUK, and Ican’t see myself going back any time soon.”