Millions of us wake up to Dr Hilary Jones during the week thanks to his appearances on ITV’s breakfast show daily.
But how does the Nation’s Doctor stay healthy himself?
We sat down with Dr Hilary for a chat about how you can maintain good health as we enter the Autumn.
MDR – Welcome Hilary, and thanks for taking the time to speak to us today. First of all we’d like to know if you are a healthy person yourself?
Dr Hilary: “Well, yes I do I try to practise what I preach and enjoy a healthy lifestyle but I don’t do it with any obsessional forethought or planning as it’s simply become a part of my way of life over many years. I eat a healthy and varied diet and eat most things because I don’t believe limiting yourself achieves much in the longer term.”
MDR – You must have a weakness though? What does your usual food shop look like?
Dr Hilary – “I have thankfully not acquired a taste for very fatty, very salty processed foods and I like nothing more than beautifully cooked fresh fish with Mediterranean vegetables or even a good tender fillet steak with peppercorn sauce. Of course I eat French fries and naughty treats now and again but I offset the downside of that with regular exercise involving squash, swimming, running or gym work at least every other day.”
MDR: You obviously like to keep fit, having run several marathons and taken part in Dancing on Ice. Can you tell us about your current exercise regime?
Dr Hilary: “I play squash with my younger brother and my second eldest son on a regular basis. I have a small gym at home. I enjoy running through the local forest near my home, and I have access to an excellent swimming pool at two clubs where I am a member. I would miss exercise very much if I couldn’t do it.”
MDR: Like all of us, you’re getting older – even though it never seems to look like it for you! How do you prepare for getting older, have you made any changes?
Dr Hilary: “I don’t worry about my health but I do feel influenced at times as a result of the consequence of diminishing youth. My need for glasses has been totally removed by the fantastic results of blended laser vision and I keep my joints going by keeping my muscles around them fairly strong.”
Q: As the ageing population in Britain continues to grow, would you say that the British people are paying more attention to their health than before?
Dr Hilary: “Yes I would. We have an epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes and more people are finding it difficult to manage their health in various ways. The fact that people are living longer at the moment means that they just have longer to suffer with the consequences of not looking after themselves whilst they’re young.”
“I truly believe that being healthy and feeling well and happy should be natural. Trying to use self discipline and good living rather than always relying on a medical route could make such a huge difference. The money that could be saved by everybody adopting this approach would free up millions for our health services too.”
Q: What are your top tips for good digestion?
Dr Hilary: “My tips include drinking more water – very simple and easy to do. Eating little and often, enjoying a wide variety of healthy foods, avoiding excess stress and taking regular exercise.”
Q: If you could give readers just one tip for good health, what would it be?
Dr Hilary: “My one tip would be exercise, exercise, exercise. This is the very best insurance policy for future good health.”
“It lifts your spirits and keeps your heart and lungs healthy, sharpens your reflexes, reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol and has many other useful benefits besides.”
Thanks Hilary for taking the time to speak with us.
