Ferne: “I’m in the best shape of my life – exercise is my escape”
Former TOWIE star Ferne Mccann on loving life as a single mum, the key to her incredible abs, and why she’ll never say no to another nose job
She’s undergone an impressive body transformation since the birth of her daughter, Sunday, a year ago. And Ferne Mccann admits that despite the emotional roller coaster of the past 12 months – which saw her raising Sunday alone after her ex, Arthur Collins, was jailed for 20 years – she’s feeling happier than ever.
The former TOWIE star puts her image overhaul down to high-intensity workouts and a healthy diet, and says she’s releasing her fitness DVD, Fit As Ferne, to inspire others.
She says, “I’ve always been into my health and fitness, but in the last year I’ve really embraced it. Without doubt, I’m in the best shape of my life and I feel amazing.”
NO MORE CELLULITE
And Ferne reveals she never imagined she’d be in this position. “I didn’t ever think I’d be the go-to girl for fitness – now people tell me I’m their ‘fitspiration’! And never in a million years did I think I would have abs!” she laughs. “I used to wear a sarong on the beach as I was so self-conscious about cellulite on my bum. I was once told the only way to get rid of
‘Sometimes I use Sunday as a weight when I’m training!’
my cellulite was surgery – but plenty of water and targeted exercise have sorted it out.”
Ferne devised the focused high-intensity workouts with her close friend and personal trainer Ellie Hopley, with whom she’s been working for over two years.
“Ellie knows my body inside out and was one of the first people I told I was pregnant,” says Ferne, who continued training gently throughout her pregnancy. “After I had Sunday, I wanted to continue working out – I set myself a goal to get red-carpet ready for the National Television Awards three months after she was born. I was so proud of myself.”
Ferne reveals she aims to exercise two to three times a week for an hour each time.
“Sometimes I train at home with Ellie and Sunday is usually there, so we like to get her involved – we use her as a weight!” she grins.
Ferne – who was a size 12 before falling pregnant and is now a toned 8 – is also refreshingly honest about her diet, admitting she largely shuns bread and red meat.
She says, “I’ll start the day with a healthy shake of fruit and vegetables, then maybe some cottage cheese on rye bread for brunch and sushi or soup for lunch. Dinner is usually salmon with lots of vegetables, and I drink loads of water. But I also love going out for a hearty Italian meal with my friends – then it’s all about the garlic, butter, bread and wine. But that’s only as an occasional treat.”
Ferne admits that being a mum has been a main motivating factor for keeping in shape.
She adds, “Sunday is the most important thing in my life. I have to make sure I’m healthy and energised for her sake and that I’m always on my A-game.”
Ferne split from Sunday’s father, Arthur Collins, shortly after his arrest in April 2017 for a horror club acid attack. Collins, who was celebrating Ferne’s pregnancy after breaking the happy news to friends and family, was jailed for 20 years in December 2017 for spraying revellers with the corrosive liquid.
And Ferne admits that throwing herself into training has helped her through her darkest days.
“Mental wellbeing is so important and exercise has been a huge stress buster for me,” she says. “It’s so good for your mind and mental state, it’s like an escape.”
FUTURE SURGERY
And while she has been raising Sunday alone, she reveals she’s determined to redefine the “lonely mum” image.
“I have an amazing support network,” she says. “I used to hate the term ‘single mum’. Now I’m totally proud of it.”
Ferne, who had a nose job in 2016, has also flipped her stance on surgery. Earlier this year she revealed she was considering a boob job after having Sunday and hinted she may have further surgery on her nose. Now she laughs, “I change my mind like the wind! I’m not on the boob job buzz right now – and I love my nose. I don’t know why I say these things! But I’m open to the prospect of surgery in the future if anything is making me unhappy.”
Having recently been linked to Love Island’s Charlie Brake, Ferne has admitted she’s open to romance, but insists, “It’s going to take a very special person for me to give up my time.”
And with her body confidence at an alltime high and her “amazing” family and friends around her, she says life’s never been better. She beams, “I’m very happy. Life is good – I feel fantastic and I never feel alone now I have Sunday.”