‘ Exercise is
my therapy!’
EXCLUSIVE
A
lexandra
Cane lost
an incredible
2st last year
through HIIT workouts
and a balanced diet.
Not only did she adopt
a healthier lifestyle
for her physical
wellbeing, but for her
mental health too. And
never has her love of
exercise been more
important than now
as she spends time
at home alone.
Alex has been
keeping busy hosting
live Instagram workout
videos and has also
pledged to help out
her community.
“I’ve signed up to be
a volunteer for the NHS,
collecting any medication for
people or groceries,” the 28-
year-old tells us. “I’m young, fit
and healthy and I want to help
other people to get through this.”
Here Alex, who’s now a slender
9st, talks us through her fitness
secrets and what’s keeping her
going during lockdown...Hi Alex. How have you
maintained your 2st weight loss?
The main thing was keeping it
as a lifestyle and not going back
to old habits. You see so many
fad diets and I’ve never been
an advocate of those. I enjoy
exercise now. Ten minutes of
exercise is so doable and the
nutrition plan isn’t restrictive.
You’re not cutting out foodgroups, you’re just being cautious
about what you’re eating.
With the coronavirus crisis
going on, do you think it’s
important for people to focus
on their mental health?
Yes, 100 per cent. For me exercise
is my therapy. I’ve been hosting
some Instagram Live workouts
and it’s the thing that has got me
through the week. And because
it’s short, sharp bursts of energy
you set your day up amazingly.
And it benefits your mental health- releasing those endorphins and
giving you the feeling that you’ve
accomplished something.
Do you know anyone who’s
been affected by coronavirus?
No, but I’ve been keeping myself
in my flat at all times. I live alone
so I find it even harder because
I’ve got no company, so I’m
having to do things to keep myself
sane. Doing these live workouts,
it feels like I’ve got people around
me and a sense of purpose.
You got in shape for your
mental health as well as your
physical wellbeing. Do you
feel more on top of that now?
Yes. I don’t get anxiety attacks
and I can’t remember the last time
I had a panic attack. The food you
eat and the exercise you do affects
how you feel about yourself.
That’s how I stay on top of it and
it’s what keeps me motivated.
Do you still have treats?
Of course. I eat chocolate every
day! I love chocolate. If you start
restricting yourself from food
groups, you’ll get into bad habits.
It’s about portion control.So tell us, are you still single?
I’m more single than ever now I’m
in isolation! There was me saying,
“I’m happy being single,” but now
I’m sat in my four walls and I’m
going mad. But now’s the time to
invest in myself and if anyone
feels the same as me they can
join the self-love journey.
Tell us about your new
Summer Shred plan...
It’s a shorter version of my
previous plan, so it has the same
format – 10-minute HIIT workouts,
but for six weeks instead of 12.
It’s kickstarting people to feel
good and it’s a bit cheaper.
There’s a nutrition guide, too.
GEMMA McCARTNEYSummer Shred is available at
thehappybodyplan.comBefore her
weight lossLove Island star turned fitness guru
Alexandra Cane on staying active
during isolation and keeping her
chocolate cravings at bay