Lisa Riley: ‘ Love Island?
We catch up with actress and presenter Lisa Riley, who’s looking better than ever, to talk weight loss, friends and wedding plans…
She’s the bubbly poster girl for weight loss done in the right way, shedding an amazing 12st by adopting a new healthy lifestyle. Now, former
Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, 41 – who’s engaged to Al, her boyfriend of four years – is following up last year’s diet book, Lisa Riley’s Honesty Diet, with Lose Weight For Life. The Lancashire lass opens up about being brutally honest with yourself, her meaty new acting role as a Manchester hairdresser, and how she really feels about those
Loose Women ladies…
Hi, Lisa! What have you been up to since we last met?
I’ve just finished two days’ filming for Celebrity Antiques Road Trip with my friend, actress Sue Johnston, and I had a ball. Sue and I are on the road like Thelma & Louise! We filmed up north, and we’re both Lancashire girls. It’s one of those jobs where you go, ‘Is this really work?!’
Congrats on the new book, too...
It’s funny, I never know what to get my dad for Father’s Day, but his reaction when I gave him the book was amazing. When he read the dedication, about the family and my late mum, he started to well up. He said, ‘ You have no idea how proud your mum would be.’
It’s not just a practical book, is it? It gives emotional support, too…
It has to! With my first book, I learned about people’s deep attachment to comfort-eating. I wanted to be beyond honest. In this book, I swear, I have answered every question. And eradicated all the excuses! Like ‘It’s my period’, which, in women’s mindsets, is an excuse to eat. It’s a go-to handbook for daily life.
In it, you talk about how to deal with friends’
reactions when you are no longer their ‘burger buddy’…
Ha, yes – walk a day in my shoes! Take yesterday, on the train coming back from Chester. I have to stick to my programme, where, unless it’s absolutely necessary, I don’t eat after 6.30pm. The trolley lady comes around with a Mexican burrito baguette (no, thank you), then crisps and chocolate biscuits (no, thanks). When she’s back again, I take some black coffee. She goes, ‘ You really don’t eat, do you?!’ I say, ‘I do, just not after 6.30pm!’
Some stars promote unrealistic ideals of body image…
Take Love Island. Real people don’t look like that. I’d hate my god-daughter to think you’ve got to look that way to find love. I grew up with smart, feisty women like Bette Midler as my idols. It petrifies me that 18-year-old girls are having their lips done.
Would you ever get any ‘work’ done?
I’ve never done it, but I’m not ruling it out. I’d be the first to say so if I had. If you’re going to do it, be honest!
Congratulations on your recent engagement!
Thank you! I think it’ll be the longest engagement ever. We’re not doing a Harry and Meghan! It’s just us, and that’s what we want to protect. If you live your love life in the public eye, it destroys the relationship.
What’s your relationship with the Loose Women?
We put the world to rights, we laugh, we cry. It’s like four girls sat in the hairdresser’s. And with Instagram, everyone sees we’re normal. I uploaded a picture of myself bleaching my ’tache the other day! I don’t know why people think we don’t do things like go to the supermarket.
Any advice for readers feeling overweight and demoralised?
OK. It’s like you’ve bought an incredible pair of shoes, but you get a blister and you’re in pain. You put a plaster on, but the blister’s still there. It’s the same with weight loss – you can’t put a plaster on it. When you’re size 18 and above and not as active as you could be, there’s a huge element of denial. I know – I had every badge for denial! It’s about looking in the mirror, asking, ‘Do I love me from top to bottom?’ If not, take control! Am I happier now? Beyond words. Nipping into M&S to buy sexy undies is better than 65 bottles of Malbec!
See page 38 for some of Lisa’s exclusive Lose Weight For Life recipes.