Andrea fighting fit again a year after major op
SHE went through a life-changing operation last year that left her feeling weaker and struggling to exercise.
But daytime telly star Andrea McLean is now fitter and happier than ever – and has grown to love her scars and ‘grabby bits’.
Posing in a long sleeve swimsuit, the 48-year-old also says a near vegan diet helped her combat a painful skin condition.
The Glasgow-born presenter had a hysterectomy in September last year after discovering endometriosis, where tissue that behaves like the womb lining is found outside the womb, had spread to her bladder and large intestine.
Speaking to Fit & Well magazine about hitting the gym after her surgery, she said: ‘I’d lost all my strength so I had to start gently.
‘I was lunging from one side of the room to the other, stopping, gasping for breath and hanging on to the wall. I took two months off exercise and found it depressing – I hadn’t realised how important exercise was to me mentally.’
She added: ‘I have cellulite, grabby bits, I have scars, but I think I’m in great shape. I’m two years from 50 and I look fabulous for my age. I’m really proud of myself.’
Miss McLean returned to the live ITV lunchtime show in November.
The former model also told how cutting out meat and dairy helped her fight shingles, a condition that causes a recurring painful rash.
She added: ‘I’ve suffered with shingles-like viruses throughout my life, so I looked into what foods are good for your immune system, metabolism and menopause.
‘A vegan diet had everything I wanted. But I’m not vegan. I’ll happily have a steak. I call myself vegan-ish.’