Under the microscope
CAN YOU RUN UP THE STAIRS?
YES, but I do seem to do everything at a pace. I’m one of those annoying people who huffs and puffs at anyone blocking the lane on the Tube escalator. I do pilates on a Monday and Friday and recently rediscovered yoga — it’s one of the very few things that makes me feel instantly better. And I try to run a little bit.
GET YOUR FIVE A DAY?
PROBABLY — I love vegetables, any kind. One of my favourite things is a date with my coffee in the morning.
EVER DIETED?
NOT for a very long time, but once a year I do this wonderful reboot thing at a place called Yeotown in Devon: you go on a diet and cut out caffeine, alcohol, meat and wheat for five days. In my 20s and 30s my weight used to fluctuate, depending on whether I was happy or unhappy — I’d veer between a size 8 and even went up to a size 12, but ever since having my kids in my early 40s it’s levelled out. I’m 5ft 5½in, and I think about 8st 7lb.
ANY VICES?
I DO sometimes like a sneaky bowl of corn flakes at night — I’m quite greedy and always have a second helping.
ANY FAMILY AILMENTS?
DAD died of a heart attack at 44 and about ten years ago I found out I have coronary artery disease. I’m on medication you inject twice a year, which has only newly become available on the NHS, but is a life– saver because statin pills didn’t work for me. It’s dramatically affected my cholesterol. Mum sadly has dementia — she’s in a home now in the last stages. My grandmother also had it.
POP ANY PILLS? HRT. EVER HAVE PLASTIC SURGERY?
I DON’T think so. I’m a coward and the idea of pain is abhorrent to me — but also I’ve fought lots of battles in my life and tend to choose ones I’ve got some chance of winning, and ageing isn’t going to be one of those!
IS SEX IMPORTANT?
YES, it’s what differentiates a longterm relationship from a friendship.
TRIED ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES?
I TAKE vitamins for hair, nails and skin at times — my hair definitely got a bit thinner when I was going through perimenopause and my nails in the winter are appalling. I also take vitamin D spray and, about twice a week, Berocca, to give me a little burst of energy for my [radio] show.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?
THE menopause is the enemy of my sleep: I still have those nights when I wake up in anxiety, every thought flashing through my head.
ANY PHOBIAS?
I’M quite rodent-phobic — I don’t like their tails. n CraCking The Menopause: while keeping Yourself Together, by Mariella Frostrup and alice smellie (Bluebird, £9.99).