Ms Denise Austin agreed to answer my questions about her experiences in fitness programmes, fitness experience, her Television Show in Lifetime Broadcast
With a daily TV programm on Lifetime maybe you can reach a steady number of viewers to help their overall health. How do you get your health messages across quickly without overwhelming audiences and yourself?
I feel like when I am on TV, even if it’s for four minutes, I am trying to remind people to make health a priority. So every time I am on TV, I am spreading the message of “Come on, you can do it! You will feel better. Get out that DVD, go for a walk, do something that’s going to help your overall health as well as your attitude and you will just feel better.” I just want to be a constant reminder to people to improve their health.
How do you incorporate your love for exercise and your long standing physical activities, like in gymnastics, in each DVD?
Because I was a gymnast since I was a little girl, a lot of moves, especially balancing moves from Pilates which all stem from your core…it just became natural to me to incorporate some gymnastic core ideas into my DVDs. For example, a handstand uses the same core muscles you would use in Pilates. The basis for Pilates is truly the core so in every DVD, I try to emphasize those core muscles. It’s mainly about posture but I try to reflect and teach people, that it is even more than just posture but how you carry yourself – stand up tall and pull your tummy in. I try remind people about good form, good technique and that all came from my training in gymnastics. Mainly the way I present the stretches and the movements with proper alignment, that’s what carries over to my DVDs, not the flips.
How do you inspire and pass on your health communications and tips to your wide audiences as well as individuals on a personal level?
I like to teach, I love to motivate, and I am a teacher first and foremost. Because I love people and am a little older, a little wiser and relate to more people now, I understand their issues and needs. I have seen so many people exercise over the years and my experience allows me to be a little more specific with my comments about how to achieve and maintain good technique.
What are some of your favorite drinks and food?
I like to drink lots of water with squeezes of lemon in it and I take a pitcher of water and put cucumbers in it and I have it in the refrigerator as my go to drink to stay healthy. I love red wine! I love to have a glass with my husband at dinners, not every single night, but on occasions and not a whole bottle, just a glass or two. I love Mexican food. I love guacamole and chips. I love good, healthy food like salmon and arugula salad. I don’t sit and eat kale all day long, I do let myself enjoy the foods I love but in moderation and I have learned how to balance it out. During the weekdays I try to eat very healthy, well balanced meals and then on the weekend I really enjoy myself. When we go out to dinner I do not even think about how many calories certain foods are going to be, I plan for it by eating well during the week. I found that balance is key – you can eat, but you need to exercise!
What are some of your favorite family fitness activities?
We play tennis together as a family all the time. Tennis is huge in our family because of my husband’s background in tennis and that love for tennis has carried on through generations. I also love walking, especially on the beach, and I love to go hiking.
What are some of your future projects?
I am continually preaching fitness and spreading the word about keeping people healthy through my DVDs. I am working on a new book and some new TV ideas.
