It’s fair to say Melanie Sykes, television and radio presenter and model is a busy woman and as a mother of two boys, she also understands just how important it is to nourish and look after her body. In her “Health Habits” she shares her favourite youth-boosting workout and her favourite ways to de-stress after a busy day.
My de-stress tool
“Just being at home with my boys, watching movies with them and cooking. The simple things. We eat together every night and it’s just a good way of catching up and knowing they’re getting what they need and yeah, it’s important to me.”
My guilty pleasure
“I’ve got such a sweet tooth now, I never used to and it’s something that’s developed so chocolate is probably the thing that I like the most if I’m gonna go for something. But luckily for me, I do like dark chocolate, so high cocoa, less fat.”
My desert island beauty product
“I have every single Vitamin C product by Murad. It just works. I use the Pomegranate Mask once a week and it takes all the dirt out of my skin.”
My non-negotiable health habit
“I do love my breakfast and I’ve just discovered this bananas and blueberries recipe which I’ve been eating every morning on my Burgen toast – which has got protein in it and really good fats. It’s just heaven sent! I didn’t think I would go for that in a million years but it has changed me.”
My evening ritual
“I’ve taken my phone out my bedroom, I don’t use it as an alarm clock anymore and haven’t done for the past year and a half, and I can’t tell you how much of a difference that’s made. Because it’s not the last thing I look at (at night) and it’s not the first thing I look at (in the morning). I read my book and get a really good night’s sleep now. Nothing’s flashing and its not there by my head. It’s made a huge difference.”
My favourite workout right now
“I would say hot yoga is my thing because it provides a meditative aspect as well as the challenging physical requirements. I would choose that over anything else.”
My biggest health extravagance
“I do yoga five times a week and meditate twice a day. They’re both anti-ageing and my skin has been better since I’ve added that to my routine.”
My greatest achievement
“About 10 years ago, I realised I wasn’t having time to myself at all and it wasn’t healthy, so I learnt to put me time in. The older I’ve got, the more time I put in for myself because I suddenly realised it’s not a selfish act it’s actually really crucial for my well-being. And if I’m not feeling good I can’t perform and be a good mother and do all the things that I do.”
Try Melanie’s favourite breakfast…
Banana & Blueberry Slice
Ingredients
1 slice of Burgen Soya and Linseed bread
1 heaped tbsp nut butter
1 medium banana, sliced
Handful of blueberries
1–2 tsp chia seeds (or any seeds you like)
Honey or maple syrup, to drizzle (optional)
Instructions
Toast the bread and spread with the nut butter. Add the sliced banana and blueberries, sprinkle with seeds. Serve with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, if desired
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