Mel B chats health, fitness & keeping motivated
Friday 23 March 2012
We all know Mel B has an amazing bod. From her debut as Scary Spice all those years ago to the mother-of-three she is today, she has always kept her bod in tip top shape.
She only gave birth to her baby daughter, Madison, six months ago but already she's got her super svelte figure back! We managed to grab the former Spice Girl, as she launched International Fitness Week, for an exclusive chat about losing the baby weigh, eating healthily and keeping motivated!
From your experience how easy do you think it is to stay in shape? Do you ever find it hard to get up and exercise when the sofa and TV is calling you?
I think to stay in shape is a little bit of an effort, you have to make a commitment to yourself; you have to make the commitment to your body and just do it. Half the struggle is taking the first step into the gym for the first time and that’s what I love about International Fitness Week, it makes fitness fun and accessible, even for people who haven’t been to the gym before.
What tips could you give to keep motivated when you find yourself in a bit of a rut?
Do a class, a Zumba class, a yoga class, whatever it is that floats your boat and try and make it a sociable event and get your friends to come, your husband, so it’s not so boring.
You were always one of the sportier spice girls - have you always had an interest in your health and wellbeing?
I think more so now than ever, I didn’t really care too much about it in my twenties but definitely in my thirties I am looking after myself a little bit more. I think we all should.
Do you have any fitness tips that you could recommend someone that doesn't have a lot of time on their hands?
Get yourself a gym membership; it’s like a whole new world. A lot of gyms open for a long time too, so you can go in the morning before work or even after dinner. You can also just try and incorporate fitness into your routine, like walking to the shops or the kids to their school.
You've had 3 children - how did you find the routine of getting back in shape, did you have any particular exercise routines?
My last pregnancy, I started walking a lot, to get back into the swing of things slowly and a walk is free, especially if it is around your neighbourhood. You just need to get moving.
Obesity in the UK is rising, why do you think this is? How important do you think it is for health centres to encourage regular exercise - do you think they could do more?
I think once you get educated about what’s what, as in food in terms of calories, content and the whole health thing about how you can feed your body and workout, you life becomes so much better
What's the best exercise for muffin tops and bingo wings?
Get yourself working out, however long, however hard, just get yourself in the gym and get going. Exercise works differently for each person so that’s what makes this campaign so great, is that you get to try lots of different things for free and find out what works for you.
Aside from being the ambassador for International fitness week and judging Australian X Factor, what else is on the cards for you?
Hosting Dancing with the Stars and I am going to be in Sydney for the rest of the year.
From 19th-25th March 2012 Mel B will be encouraging everyone to “Get Moving” for International Fitness Week, powered by Fitness First. Visit www.internationalfitnessweek.com for more information.