Me & My Health: Michelle Napier
‘If I’m stressed I’ll go for a run or a powerwalk. Playing piano is also therapeutic’
UTV News presenter and journalist Michelle Napier is originally from Coalisland, Co Tyrone, and currently lives in Belfast. She presents regional news bulletins on Good Morning Britain and also on UTV Live. She is married to Eoin, and mum to Nicholas (11), Julia (9) and Alex (7).
Do you take regular exercise and if so, what?
I aim to do some form of exercise every day, at least that’s the plan. I enjoy getting out for walks, swimming and playing tennis.
I do pilates and would say my love of running is growing. My husband is a big fan of running and encourages me. He tells me I’ll never regret it afterwards, which is true as it’s hard to beat a post-run energy boost.
I grew up in a sporty family so I like our children to know that exercise can be part of your daily life, whether it’s walking to school or going for a cycle afterwards.
The lockdown definitely made me more aware of how much exercise we take.
What is the worst illness you’ve had?
I feel grateful to have enjoyed good health and hopefully that will continue. I am always conscious that my health could change in a heartbeat, so I count my blessings every day.
How healthy is your diet?
I eat healthily most of the week, with lots of fruit and veg. I enjoy cooking and find soup and smoothies a great way of upping the family’s veg intake.
I am more tired when I’ve been up early for my Good Morning Britain shifts, so I eat porridge, and snack on fruit and nuts while I work on producing and presenting the lunchtime news. It can be hard to resist eating more carbs though, but then I will try to cut back another day.
Weekends are definitely for treats.
Any bad habits?
When I’m on my early shifts I do tend to enjoy endless cups of tea. I start work at 5am so I have my first cuppa at 5.30am while I’m working on scripts and then I’ll spread out a few more cups over my day.
I also enjoy baking, and trying not to eat the end results can be a challenge. At least I can give the goodies to family and friends to enjoy. Baking became very popular during the lockdown and I definitely baked more buns and biscuits with the kids.
Do you drink and smoke and if so, how much?
I don’t smoke and I drink very little these days; a couple of glasses of wine or a beer at the weekend.
I just can’t face looking after children the next day with a sore head.
I have done a few Zoom book club evenings with girlfriends however, and they’re good fun with a glass of wine.
Do you take any supplements?
I’ve taken vitamin D during the winter for years and I go through phases of taking vitamins. I prefer to eat a balanced diet.
How do you usually take time out?
If I’m feeling a bit stressed I’ll go for a run or a powerwalk. I find playing the piano really therapeutic.
Like a lot of parents I’ve spoken to, I’ve enjoyed not having to drive the kids to so many activities at the weekends.
We can enjoy more family time together and have been exploring walks in different places, some right on our doorstep that I had never discovered before.
For true time out, it’d have to be a walk on a beach on the North Coast or when allowed, Donegal.
I’ve spent many happy summers on Portstewart Strand since I was a child.
How well do you sleep?
Generally I sleep really well, though for my early presenting shifts I get up at 4.15am. I set three alarm clocks so that I don’t sleep in and usually jump out of bed after the second one. I have getting ready down to a fine art at this stage.
It was definitely more challenging when the kids were younger but now they generally sleep all night and bounce out of bed at the crack of dawn.
I’m hoping that when they reach the teenage years I might finally get a lie in!
Do you worry about getting old?
I’m trying to see age as a number. As long as I keep fit and well, I hope to age gracefully. Fingers crossed.
‘If I’m feeling a bit stressed I’ll go for a run or a power walk. I also find playing the piano really therapeutic’
What is your go-to product that keeps you feeling healthy?
A glass of warm water with fresh lemon juice in the morning, followed by more water during the day.