Denise keeps in skate shape
Actress and presenter tells Liz Connor about the fitness and eating habits that will have her ready for Dancing on Ice
ACTRESS, singer and broadcaster Denise Van Outen is anticipating an “exciting” winter, as it’s just been announced that she’s set to join the next series of ITV’s Dancing on Ice.
And it means life will be even more hectic for the mum of one, who says she’s busier than ever juggling work, homeschooling and housework.
But the original 90s ladette, reckons she’s got a better balance in life nowadays and prioritises her health and wellbeing when she’s not working.
Denise, mum to Betsy, 10, said: “I just try and do a little bit of exercise every day, as much as I can. I don’t do a lot, maybe like half an hour, but it’s just enough to get the blood pumping.
“Obviously, I’m 46 now and I just feel like it’s really important to keep your bones strong, keep yourself fit and healthy, and keep yourself supple. It’s not just physically strong, it’s mentally strong as well.
“I’ve got a friend that I work with locally, so we just do a little assault course in the garden with some weights. I think the main thing with exercise is to just make sure it’s something you enjoy.
“I’ve tried things like boot camps before but the pressure in those places! Whereas at home, I’ll make it a bit of fun, and not put too much pressure on myself to the point where I’m thinking, ‘ I don’t want to do this again tomorrow’.”
And the Celebrity Gogglebox star believes that her fitness routine has changes over the decades. In the nineties she was famed as a party girl. But things are different now and she is more likely to be found walking her dog, Matilda, than frequenting bars and clubs.
She said: “With age it has, definitely. It’s made me more aware of my body and looking after myself. I think when you become a mum as well, and you’ve got a child that you’re looking after, you want to be around for them.
“So I’m like, ‘OK, there are a few things that need to be changed here’. I need to just really look after myself.
“I love going for nice long walks with the dog. We live next to a forest, so that’s always lovely.”
When it comes to diet, she is careful but won’t deny herself treats. Denise said: “It’s everything in moderation with me, so I do allow myself treats. I try not to cut out too many things, just purely because I think you crave them more.
“Eddie [Boxshall, Van Outen’s boyfriend] could eat a bar of chocolate every night but I’m more savoury, so things like crisps and cheese and are my downfall.
“I think as long as you’re exercising and being sensible, then you should be able to enjoy those things too.”
When she has some free time she’s planning a big clear-out – like many of us who have spent a lot of time in our homes.
She said: “In recent months, I’ve looked through my wardrobe and realised I’m actually a bit of a hoarder. You think to yourself, ‘Why do I keep these things?’” But she admits the time for gutting her wardrobe might not happen soon.
She added: “In this day and age, we’re all very guilty of taking on too much. I know I’m always super busy, trying to do a million things and juggling being a mum while working.
“Between school runs, rushing around at work and keeping the house sorted, free time is something I very rarely get.
“You’ll always have a list of things at home that you want to get done but you just never get around to doing it.”
Denise is supporting a new campaign by Uswitch (uswitch. com) which found one in three Brits admit they would pay someone £200 to offload their domestic chores if they could.