LORRAINE KELLY:

‘NOBODY’SPERFECT –AND THAT’SOK’

After more than 30 years together,keeping her marriage healthy and self-care go handin-hand for Lorraine Kelly.

“You’ve got to have awee bit of ‘me time’, just to breathe, just to exhale,” says the Glasgow-bornTVpresenter

“Me and my husband –weobviously get on well, we’ve been together for such along time –but he needshis own space and so do I, and Ithink that’s absolutely vital,” adds Kelly,63, who’s been married to cameraman Steve Smithsince 1992.

“He’s really sporty and goes off to football, golf,hegoes for giant walks and does all of that, and I’ll sit curled up with abook.”

She admits prioritising time for herself is “relatively new”though –“because I’m abit of aworkaholic”, says Kelly,who’s been fronting her eponymous ITV morningshowsince 2010.

“But Ilove what Ido, so Idon’t consider it working. [I get to] read books before they’re out, see movies before they come out, interview interesting people. Ilearn something new every day,which keeps you mentally active, and that to me is ajoy

“But Iwas very guiltyinthe past of just work, work, work, work, work, without taking abreath.”

These days, she also makes time for regular online workout classes and plenty of walks with beloved border terrier Angus,near their home in Buckinghamshire (“He’s agreat listener!” she notes, with alaugh). As well as being precious ‘me time’, it’s partofher commitment to maintaining ahealthy lifestyle.

Kelly joined WW (WeightWatchers) early last year,unhappy with her weight after gainingastone-and-a-half during lockdown. Continuing her role as an ambassador for the brand, she’s just filmed acook-along with chef Zena

Kamgaing, which sees theduo whip up healthier versions of some of the nation’s favourite comfort foods: aheartySunday roast and gooey cheese toastie.

Asurvey by WW (which quizzed 2,000 people) found four out of five people want to eat healthier but don’t want to sacrifice fun and flavour.Twothirds also admit it’s hard to resist their favourite foods, with over half (53%) saying they comfort-eat.

Kelly can relate –which is whyshe’s all about taking agentle approach to eating healthier

“I think it’s crazy to suddenly say, ‘I’m going for a10-mile run’, or going on astupid,faddy diet, because they don’t work. We know diets don’t work –you will lose weight, but you’ll just put it all back on again becauseit’snot sustainable.

“It’s great to have goals,” she adds, “but make it realistic. Becausesomany people are just like, ‘Oh forget it’, and that’s sad.”

Forher now, it’s about an ongoing “lifestyle choice” –which includes room to “cut yourself awee bit of slack” here and there, and to enjoy life.

“Like everybody over Christmas, we do indulge ourselves abit more thanany other time of the year and we hunker down and make excuses alittle bit. Ihave continued with the plan that I’ve been on –but of course, when I’ve been totting my points up, I’ve been over it afew times, that’s just how things are.”

She says she’s getting “backontrack” now but it’s “not as dramatic” as when she first started on her WW plan in early 2022.

“Last year,Ireally needed help,” says Kelly,addingshe finds the WW app particularly helpful.

“Also, for me, one of the big things has been the community.Social media gets a really bad name, but on the app and using the fact there’s so many of us embarking on this together,sharing experiences and tips and lifting each other up is really, really good.

“I think that’s what it’sall about these days –supporting each other.Weall just want to be as healthy and happy as we can be.”

One thing she doesn’t like about social media however is the “unrealistic expectations” it can set in terms of body image, especially for teenagers.

“I was lucky because my daughter [Rosie Smith] is 28 now,so shekindof missed alot of that –Instagram filters, unrealistic expectations –and I’m very glad about that because Ithink that’s absolutely toxic for young kids, Ireallydo.

“For girls andboys –that whole thing of perfection, because there’s no such thing!” she exclaims. “And what you think is beautiful, somebody else doesn’t –it’s so subjective. Butthis is the one thing Ithink is verydangerous about social media, that whole idea of perfection.”

Besides, Kelly’s job has taught her that everyone has their shareofinsecurities anyway,regardless of how ‘perfect’ they might appear

“I remember talking to [Nineties supermodel] Cindy Crawford, who is gorgeous –she was on the show and she’s like, ‘Ohhh Idon’t like my thighs’, and you’re like, ‘What?! You’re aGoddess!’

“So even people that we think are perfect, they’re not, and we’re all different,” she reflects. “I thinkit’s about accepting your body.I’ve got lumps and bumps and scars and all the rest of it –but it’s OK, it’s alright. It’s about feeling healthy

“It’s about feeling better in yourself,” adds Kelly.“There really isn’t one size and that’s what you’re supposed to be. But there is asize that you are at your best.” n Lorraine Kelly is abrand ambassador for WW.Losing weight with WeightWatchers just got easier with an updated, simplified program that helps you to lose weight, keep it off, and still enjoy the food you love. Visit weightwatchers.com