I'm throwing everything at MY HEALTH

BBC Radio 2's Jo Whiley shares her diet and fitness secrets after embarking on a midlife health kick

- WORDS: ARIANA LONGSON. PHOTOS: GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK, INSTAGRAM @JOWHILEY

Jo Whiley turned 60 only last month, but you'd never guess it. The BBC Radio 2 star feels stronger than ever, after overhauling her lifestyle in the wake of some heartbreaking losses. 'All our big players we used to hang out with have died,' she shares. In 2021, her friend and radio producer Simon Willis died of a brain tumour, another friend died of Covid and a third died of cancer, all around the same time. Processing those losses was 'really, really hard', admits Jo - but, determined not to take her own health for granted, she committed to a serious health kick. 'That's why the diet change has happened and exercise routines have happened,' she says. Here, Jo reveals her secrets to thriving at 60.

Fitness fanatic

A few years ago, worried she was getting 'a bit feeble', Jo began strength training. 'I do weights, which has become increasingly important, but no matter how many weights I lift, I can't do anything about the skin that's hanging off on my arms, or the papery texture my skin has,' she says, adding, 'Your body undoubtedly changes as you get older, and things don't look the same.'

These days, Jo, along with her husband, music executive Steve Morton, is enthusiastic about exercise. 'We do something nearly every day,' she says, adding, 'I just love keeping fit. I find it really helps my head and my body. I feel stronger.'