Kara Tointon's diet secrets
Friday 20 November 2009
When we caught up with former EastEnders actress Kara Tointon - as she launched pantomime season with other celebrities at the Piccadilly Theatre - it wasn’t difficult to imagine men falling at her feet!
On arrival Kara was just as lovely as we suspected and looked fabulous in a black jumper and skinny jeans.
We were determined to uncover the secret behind her stunning figure and she was more than happy to share her top tips to looking good and staying healthy with us - Yippee!
You have recently been nominated for the sexiest female award at the British Soap Awards, how does it feel to be seen as a sex symbol?
I think you never take those things too seriously. The awards are like a pantomime within themselves, because they do all these funny awards like best villain. Its all a bit of fun but it’s always nice to voted for best anything - especially sexiest. It’s really lovely and flattering. It gives you a bit of ‘Oh ok, that’s nice people think that of me’ so I can’t complain.
Do you feel pressured to always look amazing? Like do you ever leave the house without make-up?
I have a really bad habit of going out in my pyjamas when my dog needs to be taken for a walk. I look a real mess. My mum goes “You can’t do that!” but I can’t change. You always bump into people at the worst moment when you feel a right mess, and you think ‘Why did this happen today?’ so I always try and look ok. I think you have to in this industry - but I don’t 100 per cent of the time!
What are your favorite beauty products?
My favorite beauty products are from Vaishaly, I use all her stuff and I go to see her once a month. She is really amazing! My skin goes up and down - sometimes its good, sometimes its bad. It’s really odd. But I love that Bio Oil - it’s a must have! I also love the Origins Spot Remover. It’s like a little gel in a pot and it’s really powerful stuff, but it’s great if you get any bad mishaps on the face.
You obviously have a really good figure; can I ask how you stay in shape? Do you ever diet?
No, I’m just really into exercise! When I was young I used to have [lots of] different hobbies, so I was used to being very active. While I was in EastEnders I got really lazy, because the schedule’s all over the place, it was really hard to keep to a schedule. But last year I ended up saying to myself I’ve got to back into it and now I go twice a week – and I try and go three. I just love exercising and eating healthy. That’s it really!
What is your favorite exercise?
I don’t like running at all! I hate it. I tried to get into it because I’ve done a few runs. I’ve done the London marathon, which I ended up walking which isn’t good. I think I like dancing. I like doing sports really – you don’t realize you’re exercising, because it’s fun. I love swimming too!
What is your favorite indulgence?
Oh my goodness, just chocolate chocolate chocolate! Kit Kat is my favourite. I went through a phrase where I had to have my Kit Kat at 11 o’clock everyday or I couldn’t function! At the moment I’m really into those giant chocolate buttons and I love Starbucks carrot cake. I have passion for carrot cakes. It’s like heaven on a plate.
What is your favorite part of your body?
I don’t really have a favorite part to be honest. We all go through phrases here you hate things about yourself don’t we. You just hate things and you want to change things but I’ve learnt to be satisfied and just sort of deal with it. There’s nothing I really like but there nothing I really hate. So I’ve learnt not to hate things. Joe [Swash, Kara’s boyfriend] always says he likes my smile, which is very sweet.
You posed for FHM in August - did you do anything to prepare for it, body-wise?
For the FHM thing I just went to the gym loads - because I was really into it at that point. You know you’re going to have to pose in a bikini, and I didn’t want them to do too much airbrushing so I wanted to look my best. I was a little bit nervous but they were so great.
What is your number one beauty or diet tip?
Just definitely the old-fashioned drinking loads of water. When I don’t drink water my skin goes really bad so I normally drink a big bottle everyday if I can.
You will soon be starring alongside Joe in the Snow White and the fourteen elves. Are you looking forward to playing Snow White?
I did a panto at the age of 11 and I loved it, so as an adult I think I’m going to really enjoy it. I think we’ll feel like kids again, which will be quite nice. Just to take something seriously for a month will be great. It’s going to be a bit of fun, and there’s no right or wrong so we can be free and easy. I’m sure we will be playing tricks on each other because Joe’s very mischievous and I’m really looking forward to it.
What was your favorite panto growing up?
I think it’s always been either Snow White or Cinderella because they are the magical, romantic ones. Joe doesn’t want to play the Prince. He says he cant be the Prince because he isn’t like Steve Jones, and so they’re writing it so there’s a twist. He’s the Prince that doesn’t know he’s a Prince!
You recently said in an interview that you wouldn’t rule out reality doing reality TV. If you had to pick a show to be on what would it be?
If I had to it would probably be a show where you learn something, like Strictly. I decided not to this year but I do love it. I think shows like Strictly take up a big commitment so it’s quite a scary thing to go into. It’s a whole new realm because I’ve always acted so suddenly doing something so full-on is kind of a bit scary for me. I don’t think I’m ready for something like that that yet. But at a certain time I might maybe, you never know!
By Toyin Owoseje
Kara is playing Snow White in the First Family Entertainment production of Snow white and seven Dwarfs, which is being sponsored by Robinsons. Tickets to your local pantomime are now on sale at www.firstfamilyentertainment.co.uk