Armytage’s first TV job was as
a reporter at WIN Television
in Canberra. “Back in those
days, there was no sisterhood
solidarity. Women were awful
to each other. So we have come
a long way.” Today, she tries to
ensure younger women have
a better time of it. “As an older
girl, I make a conscientious effort
to support the younger girls
coming through,” she says.“I think middle-
agedwomen are
well and truly
represented
on TV,” says
Armytage,
pictured with Lisa
Wilkinson.Armytage has
been working in
TV since 1999.COVER
ARMYTAGE WEARS DRESS BY RACHEL GILBERT; INSETS: MEDIA MODE; SKY NEWSYou look fantastic in our photo shoot.
Are you in the best shape of your life?
I have probably been in better shape, to be
honest. Like a lot of other women, my weight
goes up and down depending on my tiredness
level. In April, we spent two weeks in a hotel
on the Gold Coast doing the Commonwealth
Games. Anyone who travels for work will tell
you living out of a hotel is not conducive to
weight loss. There are times where I think,
“I could just sleep for a month and eat salads,”
and it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea at the
moment. But I know how to hide it.
Are you trying to lose weight?
No, I am not trying to lose weight at all.“I really pride
myself on
retaining my
authenticity
and keeping
my femininity”
Are you an 80/20 kind of person?
I come and go. I try to be good during the
week. It’s a lot simpler—I go to bed early,
exercise most days and eat well most of the
time. I have to—I just feel better if I do.
[On the weekend] I eat well, I love a glass
of wine, I still have fun.
You don’t find you eat more because you
are up so early?
I am actually quite disciplined as far as that
goes. I have bad days, too. I am pretty routine
as far as what time we do breakfast here.
For my dog, Banjo, 3.30 in the morning is like
a party. He lies on the floor of the bathroom
while I have a shower, then he has hisbreakfast—he’s on my schedule, ’cause you
have to be in my house. Then, I have an early
lunch and early dinner. I don’t drink during
the week. I have discovered UpCycle, which
is like Spin.
At a gym?
No, I hate gyms. It’s at a cycle studio and it has
a really good energy. I do a couple of those
a week because I feel like I need to do a bit of
cardio. I like to spend time outside because
we spend a lot of time in the studio, so my
afternoons are spent outside walking the dog
or catching up with friends, but no gym—
I can’t stand the gym.
Banjo must be great for getting you out
and about ...
He’s great fun and keeps me motivated for
getting out. Don’t tell the paparazzi, but I’ve
managed to find a whole lot of places in the
Eastern Suburbs where they haven’t found
me so I can swim in peace with Banjo!
Do you ever consider having a child or
starting a family?
No, it’s not something I think about.
What about romance—are you seeing
anyone?
If I was, you would be the first to know.
I really don’t talk about that stuff, but I am
fine and life is good. There are good things
happening ... I don’t talk about anyone before
I’m 100 per cent sure, because you have got
to keep some things private. I give a lot of
myself for four hours a day, so there has to
be some stuff you keep private.
■ By Clare Rigden and Melissa Field22 l Who