Here's a taster of our exclusive interview with Mel B in the March issue of Zest...
What springs to mind when you think of Mel B? Scary Spice, successful businesswoman, LA darling - chances are that, these days, you also think of her amazingly toned physique, especially her super-flat stomach. Pretty impressive for a 35-year-old mum of two. 'Stomach moves have always been a key focus of my workouts,' explains Mel. 'But that doesn't mean loads of crunches; I switch things up after every ten reps, so I don't get bored, and only do a few minutes a day. You'll be surprised at how quickly the time flies by, not to mention how quickly you'll see results!' But, as she explains in our exclusive interview, workouts for her aren't just about her body - fitness helps her in all aspects of her life...
DO YOU FOLLOW A STRICT EXERCISE ROUTINE?
'I'd never set foot in a gym until three and a half years ago. Even the word gym frightened me - the machinery looked so daunting! Now, I've got a gym in my house. I do about half an hour of cardio, like running outside or on the treadmill every day, then some weights and I always fi nish with some abs work. But my workout changes quite a lot. I give myself a six-week routine, then switch it to something different, like only doing high-intensity cardio aerobic classes. But if I need an energy boost, I love short interval training. It shocks your body into waking up and you really feel like you've done something.'
SO FITNESS IS A KEY PART OF YOUR LIFESTYLE?
'For me, working out isn't primarily about looking good, it's about having time alone to do something just for me. Other people may walk the dog or read a book, but I like to do something active that pushes my everyday life to one side for an hour. Obviously, the physical benefi ts make me feel good, but exercise for me is a de-stressor, it helps me put things in perspective.'
DOES LOOKING GREAT HELP YOU FEEL MORE CONFIDENT?
'Like every other woman, I do have moments of insecurity - I performed live with the Pussycat Dolls last year and panicked beforehand because they all look about 18 and I'm 35! But I think it's more about saying to yourself: 'I'm going to try to create the best version of myself. I'm not going to be a complete skinny Minnie, I'm not going to have arms that are ripped in four weeks, but I'm going to be realistic about what my body can actually achieve.' So many women don't know what their bodies can achieve because they've never tried. But the minute you start making an effort with yourself, you automatically start to feel good - it gives you confi dence from the inside out.'
To read the rest of Mel's interview and find out her flat stomach secrets, pick up a copy of the March issue, on sale until 17th March.
