Christine McGuinness has revealed how the coronavirus lockdown has been one of the most “testing” times of her family’s life.
The Real Housewives Of Cheshire star has been hunkering down with TV presenter husband Paddy and their three autistic children.
And while it’s the most time she and Paddy, below,0 have spent together, it’s also proved an emotional rollercoaster. Christine, 32, says: “Me and my husband have never spent this kind of time together ever.
“One of us would always be away for work. We’ve had our moments where it’s been amazing and we’ve had our moments where we both just wanted to run a million miles!”
With school and nursery closures, the most challenging aspect has been caring for twins Leo and Penelope, seven, and Felicity, three.
(Image: Christine McGuiness/Instagram)
Christine explains: “It’s been a really testing time, probably the most testing time we have ever been through as a family.
“It’s quite common with autism for them to show regression when things change and they are going through a lot of change at the minute.
“Their speech has suffered, it’s not as good as it was.
“The eye contact, trying to get their engagement in any kind of activity has been more difficult.
“So things like that, it’s emotionally exhausting. It’s awful to see your own children struggling.
(Image: ITV)
“You’ve just got to take each day as it comes. I’m very positive and lucky that I don’t get down about anything, even though it’s been difficult.
“Certainly sticking with a routine helps. You’ve got to be extremely patient.”
Fitness fanatic Christine, who has been showing off her amazing physique in snaps for her new activewear range, hasn’t been to the gym for three months.
And she admits to missing her three-times-a-week visits for an hour of weights, cardio and HIIT training.
She explains: “I like going out to the gym and I think getting out of the house is all part of staying healthy.
(Image: Instagram)
“I try to train at home, but it’s difficult with the children here. I let them join in and we try and make it fun.
“But you lose your focus and you can’t train as well.
“Once the gyms do open, I’ll be desperate to go to just for that bit of me time.”
In fact, Christine reckons they should already be up and running: “I think gyms should be allowed before pubs and hairdressers because it does so much for your emotional and physical health.”
Incredibly, unlike most of us, Christine has LOST weight during lockdown – but she isn’t happy about it!
(Image: Instagram)
She says: “I’ve haven’t lost fat, I’ve lost muscle, so I’m disappointed. It’s not my goal, I don’t want to lose weight, I want to gain muscle.
“I can tell my clothes are bigger, I can tell just looking at myself. I don’t feel as strong, my thighs aren’t as big
as they were.
“My goal is to be strong, not to just be slim.
“I do want some shape there and that’s why I go to the gym. When I’m lifting the weights, I feel stronger. I think you need to focus on how you feel – and certainly for someone like me who was anorexic for a long time as
a teenager.
“I had an eating disorder for about 10 years. Constantly focusing on weight or how much I’d put on or losing it became an obsession.
(Image: Instagram)
“When you get into health and fitness and nutrition –and if you take away the scales and just go on how you feel and how your clothes fit – you just become a bit
more relaxed.”
Christine, a pescatarian and teetotal for 12 years, has managed not to reach for too many treats during lockdown – apart from the odd bag of sweets – but she has noticed Paddy’s habits changing.
She says with a laugh: “My husband is not a big drinker. However, during lockdown, pretty much every night he has had the odd beer.
“He kept it really healthy at the start and he was training at home and then, towards the end, everyone’s gone a little more f*** it!”
Paddy, 46, is now back filming Top Gear, while Christine says one of the bonuses of lockdown is having had time to design her new clothing range, VIBE by Christine.
She says: “I live most of my life in gym wear. And I tried so many different brands, but never found one that was comfortable and supportive and quite feminine.
“I wanted it to enhance the figure, I wanted to feel good.”
And as things get back to a bit of normality, she reflects she has at least had a unique time with Paddy and the children.
She adds: “They’ll never have this time again with both mummy and daddy at home as much as we have been.
“We’re trying to give them as much attention as possible. They all know they’re loved and wanted.”
● See more of Christine’s new athleisure range at vibebychristine.com.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
