My Health Rules: Paola Di Lanzo

My alarm goes off at 5am. I’ve always been an early riser and I love getting up before the rest of the house stirs. One of the first things I do is take a shot of Symprove – a liquid-based probiotic – as it needs to be taken on an empty stomach. I’ve been taking it for years – it’s one of the best products out there for gut health, which we know is increasingly important for our overall health. A typical breakfast is a protein-rich smoothie – I add two scoops of JS Health chocolate brownie pea protein powder to a blender with a probiotic powder, berries, coconut milk and ice. Smoothies are a great way to pack in nutrients ahead of a busy day. If I am teaching early classes, I’ll decant my smoothie into a takeaway cup and take with me to have on the go.

Eggs are a powerhouse of nutrients. They’re full of vitamins and minerals as well as high-quality protein and fats, which will help you maintain muscle mass as you age as well as optimise hormonal production. If I have time at home, I’ll always have eggs for breakfast – never cereal, toast or carb-laden options. On the weekend, I love heading to Nati’s Whole Foods in Fulham, which serves a delicious dish called the Alba – eggs baked with kidney beans, tomatoes, chilli, spinach and topped with truffle. 

Fitness is an integral part of my life. Paola’s Body Barre (PBB) combines dynamic Pilates with yoga and barre. A results-driven method, it’s designed to maximise your time on the mat. When done regularly, it’ll elongate and stretch your muscles for a stronger, more toned body. I teach two to three PBB classes a day as well as two to three PT sessions. I deem this part of my workout routine as I’m constantly moving, even more so when I’m teaching a live class for the PBB app as I have to do the whole routine. Outside of PBB, I try to fit in one yoga class a week, as well as the occasional boutique fitness class. PBB runs 22 classes a week at KXU and I’ll always try to fit in something else if I’m there – The Games is great for an endorphin rush and Alex Rogers’s yin yoga is incredible for a full-body release.

My attitude to fitness has changed over the years. My journey into fitness began in the 80s – I taught the original versional of aerobics and was hooked on the high-energy nature of it. I was also addicted to lifting heavy weights and high-impact workouts. In my 20s, my body was strong, but not as functional and mobile as it is now. It was after the birth of my first child that I realised I needed a different approach. It was 2002 and Pilates was the new ‘word on the street’, but it wasn’t hugely popular in the UK. I dabbled with a few classes which I enjoyed (albeit reluctantly as I was so addicted to heavy lifting and heart-raising activity), and then eventually trained with Michael King at the Pilates Institute. Since then, I’ve never looked back. Pilates continues to amaze me in the way you can gain strength in a low-impact and gentle way – it lengthens, tones and improves your posture for a more functional and mobile body. My body shape has also changed for the better – I’m far stronger and more supple now.

Strength training is important as you age. I’m turning 52 in February and menopause is imminent – I can feel and see the changes in my body. I have to work harder to gain muscle so push myself whenever I can. During the perimenopause and beyond, it’s a good idea to incorporate some form of strength training into your sessions to build bone, increase muscle strength and to burn more body fat to increase your metabolism. I’ve had so many clients shy away from fitness in their mid to late 40s; by the time they’ve reached their 50s they’ve found it far trickier to get back into exercise due to a lack of confidence. If you have fallen out of love with exercise, find something you genuinely enjoy and seek out a multi-levelled class that offers plenty of modifications so you can make it work for you.