Latest news with #Couchto5k
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Fern Britton on looking for love and her This Morning return
TV favourite Fern Britton is loving life in Cornwall but admits sometimes she does miss having someone special She is back in great shape but Fern Britton is not hankering for a TV comeback or a man in her life. Instead she wants to continue to write bestselling books from her Cornwall home. At 67, it is now five years since her 20-year marriage to TV chef Phil Vickery ended, but Fern insists: 'I'm not looking for love. "I'm still a bit too wary of losing my liberty. There's nobody to run something past but, on the other hand, I think back to running things past people and it never really worked out, so why don't I just make my own decision? Then I'm the only person who can go, 'I f***ed up there.' 'I'm feeling pretty good [but] it would be foolish to say I feel spot on 100% of the time. Cats are great companions but there are days when I'm actually quite lonely because sitting, writing on your own is lonely, but it's good to admit it.' Fern is speaking to Woman&Home magazine to promote her 11th novel, A Cornish Legacy, which centres around Wilderhoo, a fictional 1,000-year-old Cornish house that has gone to rack and ruin. Sub consciously at least it must be slightly autobiographical as the main character was very successful in London and whose life has absolutely fallen apart. She comes down to Cornwall to take on this house and the house and the woman repair themselves together. On her own recent health improvements and weight loss, Fern says: 'People often wonder when you lose lots of weight whether you've done it naturally. And I can look at you and say, 'Yes, I have.' I had my shoulder replacement 18 months ago, and two-and-a-half years ago, when I saw the surgeon, he said, 'I'm going to totally replace your shoulder, I'll see you in a year.' I thought, 'I need to get my life back on track. I need to stop smoking, stop drinking, get eating under control and stop lying in bed feeling sorry for myself.' So I started the Couch to 5k, took about 80% of the sugar out of my life and started to think about what I was eating, which I had never done before. "As a child, I just couldn't stop eating sugar, so [I ended up with a] big sugar addiction. I never had the button that said, 'Stop eating, you've had enough.' Curiously, having three sensible meals a day – which everyone has told me [to do] for the last 60 years – actually worked!' The only thing failing her in terms of her health is not so visible when it comes to her youthful appearance. 'I'm getting more deaf. I first got hearing aids about 10 years ago [but] I just couldn't deal with it, then a year ago I thought, 'I'll try again.' I have to keep persevering and I'm wearing them today, but they drive me mad. I can't hear anybody any clearer because I can hear all the clatter in the room louder as well. "Taking them out is lovely, but I also know that [without them], I miss out on a lot of things and I mishear everything. I try to lip-read and that's very frustrating.' Fern's slim look makes her perfect for also heading back to the small screen and more TV work in the coming years if she headed back to London. She returned to This Morning last year for a series of shorts about the British Isles. And then there is also her own ITV show Fern Britton: Inside the Vet's. But it seems novel writing is what she wants to continue spending the majority of her time doing in 2025 in Cornwall. On This Morning she said of the films: 'They were fun but, no, I won't be going back to do This Morning. Never go back, that's my motto – for anything. Never look back, never go back. 'I don't honestly watch it. When you've been in that wonderful place, then you think, 'No, it's going to change,' and I don't want to.' She adds: 'My forefront is now being a writer and it's taken me a long time to accept that. Gosh, yes, I can say I'm an author now!' * A Cornish Legacy by Fern Britton is out on June 5. The July issue of woman&home is on sale May 29.
Glasgow Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Mum from near Glasgow completes marathon after losing dad
Angela Eadie was one of more than 56,000 runners who crossed the finish line on a hot but historic day in London last month as part of the biggest marathon of all time. It was a momentous moment for the 45-year-old who only took up running after spending almost two years on the sofa comfort eating and watching the weight pile on after the death of her beloved dad Davie Elliot. Now just a few years later she has a London Marathon medal proudly framed at home and next year is set to take on the Paris Half Marathon and Manchester Marathon. Angela with her medal (Image: Sourced) Angela, who lives in Newton Mearns but grew up in Neilston, said: 'London was probably the hardest thing I've done in my life, but it was definitely up there with one of the top five experiences I've ever had. 'The crowd was insane, so noisy but so powerful. 'Now I've signed up for Manchester. That's me in the swing of it and I'm going to do the Paris Half Marathon as well. 'I think my dad would probably say I was mad.' Angela shared a close bond and a birthday with her dad Davie (Image: Sourced) Angela was cheered on during the event by sons Samuel and Charlie and husband Graeme, who has been a great support to her during her running journey. Angela's husband Graeme and two sons travelled down to London to cheer her on (Image: Sourced) Thanks to those who got behind her, she has raised £4,500 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. The charity is close to her heart, particularly after the support they gave to her dad in his final days. Angela and her brother Jonathan gave palliative care to their dad in his own home before he passed away, just 10 days after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Towards the end, however, they were joined by a Marie Curie nurse called Maureen, who Angela has described as an 'angel'. Angela ran the marathon for Marie Curie Cancer Care (Image: Sourced) In the aftermath of his death, the mum-of-two hit 'an all-time low' before waking up one morning and thinking enough was enough and downloading the Couch to 5k app and completing its programme. She had originally intended to take on the London marathon last year but a knee injury thwarted her plans. Determined to make it to the event this year, she began working on strength training with sports therapist Ryan O'Neill at Whitecraigs Rugby Club last August. This work and the running plan adapted to her injury which he made for her made all the difference as she prepared for and conquered the gruelling event. Angela during the marathon (Image: Sourced) 'I ran the full 26 miles injury free in four hours and 44 minutes,' explained Angela who caught a virus in the days leading up to the marathon which threatened to put an end to her dream for a second time. 'It's just such a great feeling. 'For me running is now not about losing weight, which was my main goal back when I did the Couch to 5k. "It's about the challenges and what's next because it's dead exciting and it gives you something to keep you going. 'For anyone considering getting into it, I would say just do it and do strength training. "Running will make you feel amazing and like you can do anything.'
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Q&A: Couch to 5k
As BBC Sport launches its new The Couch to 5K Podcast - presented by Giovanna Fletcher - we have the answers to some frequently asked questions to help you get than seven million people have downloaded NHS Couch to 5K - the ground-breaking free fitness app developed in partnership with BBC out how to get started below. What is Couch to 5k? A free running plan for plan has you running three times a week and provides a fresh schedule each week. How did Couch to 5k begin? The Couch to 5K running plan was created by Josh Clark in wanted to get his mother - who was over 50 - to start running. Can you do Couch to 5k on a treadmill? If running outside isn't your thing, you can use a treadmill instead. How long does Couch to 5k take? You can complete the initial programme in nine weeks or longer, depending on the pace you wish to users graduate from the nine-week programme, they can unlock access to Beyond Couch to 5K. Is Couch to 5k free? Yes, the NHS Couch to 5k app is free and accessible to anyone. How do I get started? Download the app (details below).Pick a start a comfortable clothing and safe and be aware of your surroundings. Where can I find a Couch to 5k plan? You can join the seven million people who have already downloaded the app by clicking the links below:Apple, externalAndroid, external What are the benefits? Running can improve your heart and lung help you manage your weight (when paired with a healthy diet)...And strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of boost your mood, ease stress, and give you more confidence
