Zoe Salmon helps to get your kids fit!
Tuesday 29 September 2009
Zoe Salmon went from Blue Peter to FHM without batting an eyelid, as well as winning us over on ITV1’s Dancing On Ice. Now she’s got her sights set on a bit of charity work!
Zoe’s always been known for her amazing body – she ran the London Marathon as well as undertaking the strenuous training for Dancing On Ice. Now she’s looking to pass on her super-healthy ethos to the nation’s kids with her campaign for the British Heart Foundation.
We caught up with the starlet for a chat about fitness, her sex bomb image and her plans for the future!
Tell us about the campaign you are working on with the British Heart Foundation?
I'm supporting the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) Food4Thought campaign by launching the new schools initiative - Ultimate Dodgeball. The campaign is a great way of making children more aware of the long term consequences of their current food choices and physical activity levels. The BHF are making physical activity really fun which is great.
The campaign will launch in all UK schools this September. Physical activity is something that all children should embrace and enjoy. It's essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
How do you keep fit on a day-to-day basis?
I walk lots! I always try to walk everywhere as it's a really good way to keep fit and you don't really know your exercising. And after playing Ultimate Dogeball I think it's a really fun way to stay fit and a great way to stay fit with your friends.
How did Dancing On Ice help your fitness?
Learning an Olympic sport was a great way to keep fit and we trained almost every day which meant that I built up really good general fitness and stamina and got really toned.
Did you do any preparatory exercise like Pilates, and do you still dance?
I've never done Pilates before but it's something that's on my to do list. I don't skate now because I've got loads on and if I did I would probably go round in circles unless they gave me my own area, ha ha. I do miss it though it was brilliant fun and a great experience.
What was harder - running The London Marathon or Dancing On Ice?
That's a tricky one - I think I enjoyed Dancing On Ice more it was all about hair and make-up and sparkly outfits; and I had a partner in crime. But the London Marathon wasn't as glitzy and I had to do it on my own.
How do you deal with criticism from people who said you were 'too sexy' for Blue Peter?
I just took it with a pinch of salt - for every person that likes you there will always be someone that doesn't and when you are in the industry you have to expect that.
You posed for FHM once - did you do anything to prepare for it, body-wise?
Well, I was in the middle of Dancing On Ice so it was the perfect time for me and I was really toned which was good.
Do you ever feel pressure to look a certain way from the media?
I think there is pressure in the industry to present yourself in a certain way, because you are being seen by a lot of people on TV but I have never really dieted - I try to exercise, eat well and that helps me to feel good.
What is your number one beauty or fitness tip?
My tip is to drink lots of water and I have recently cut out diet coke. I drink it when I'm out but try to limit how much. I just try to drink water all the time - I would say I have around 2 litres of water a day.
Zoe Salmon is supporting the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) Food4Thought campaign by launching their new schools initiative Ultimate Dodgeball. For more information visit www.bhf.org.uk/junkfood