According to Katie Piper, having good health is a privilege. And it can change at the drop of a hat, whether by accident or by evil deed, as she is only too aware of.
The then 24-year-old model suffered life-changing injuries and permanent scarring after an acid attack carried out by an ex-boyfriend in 2008.
She is still undergoing treatment for her face, skin, and vision, which has required years of operation and pioneering surgery.
Katie, now 41, admits, “I’m never discharged.” I must return to my nose, throat, and eyes. Yet her stoicism in the face of hardship has enabled her to succeed as a presenter, author, and expert on charity fundraising.
At such a young age, she says, “I learned the importance of looking after your mind, your body, our health is a privilege, and how it can suddenly change.”
TRAUMA
The presenter of Loose Women recently made the decision to fit her left eye, which had been damaged in the attack, with an artificial eye, a prosthetic shell.
She continues, “I’ve always had issues with my eyes, especially the left. That appeared to be completely damaged. ”
She has had “a huge trauma last summer with the retina detaching,” despite having been in the care of a cornea consultant for 16 years. My eye cannot be reconnected to my retina, which is known as phthisis bulbi. Mine was shattered and disconnected. It truly signifies the end of treatment’s path.
I was certain that something would happen to me subconsciously. I consider myself to be very practical and a realist. ”
She became a spokesperson for burn victims and scar survivors, raised awareness, and established her foundation, the Katie Piper Foundation, out of her practicality and extraordinary inner strength. And Katie personally values both physical and mental health.
As a 20-something, I have this unique experience of experiencing what it’s like to be ill, incapacitated, and hospitalized for a long time. I constantly recall the phrase, “Do all this now, so that your quality of life is the best it can be.”
I want to be well. I consider looking after my body a job. It will give me the best. ”
Her gut care is one of the most important things. She reveals that when she was a burns patient in a hospital, she first became aware of its significance.
Because I spent a lot of time in gastroenterology during my recovery, I learned more about gut health than most people. I was experiencing gastroenterology and tube feeding. I used the gut supplement Symprove about 13 years ago, which was really helpful to me during my recovery. It was a very significant component of my daily routine, and I persevered for a very long time.
Your gut knows everything, including trauma and psychological things, so it’s not just a fluffy statement. And anyone who has spent any time in a hospital or been unwell will be aware of how severe constipation can be when taking painkillers or opioids. You then experience a very upset stomach, so you must do something to help the stomach lining after going through a lot.
You can see how your gut is the epicenter of everything because it is now linked to everything, from dementia to Parkinson’s. And because I’ve had particular issues with my skin and eyes, I’ve learned from those specialists that diet, gut, and sleep can also have an impact on them. They are all innately related. ”
FASTING
Katie started taking Symprove once more after having daughters Penelope, 7, and Belle, 10, and Penelope, 7, and feels less sluggish. When you haven’t been drinking, you feel lethargic and hungover, and everything is connected to the gut. Now, I’m not very sick. I sleep better and have better digestion. ”
Does she watch what she eats when the foundations of her sleep and gut function? She says, “I started intermittent fasting just before Christmas.” When I get to work, I will either have scrambled eggs or bring a box of yoghurt, berries, and nuts with me after the school run. It has helped me feel a little more awake in the mornings and not as high on caffeine. Although I probably still consume the same amount of food and calories throughout the day, it is preferable to spread out.
I can’t stop eating all the sweets and wine, I guess. So that I can have my glass of wine on the sofa on Friday nights, I make wise decisions. ”
She and husband, builder, and carpenter Richie Sutton, 40, are aware that both of their daughters eat well at home. It helps me make sure I’m communicating nutrition and food to them at home. Parenting entails doing exactly what you are supposed to do, not what you say.
We are not cutting out carbs because I don’t want to demonize anything. We try to keep the conversation about that level balanced and have beneficial conversations in the living room. The majority of the cooking is done by Ritchie. No one likes how I cook! ”
She also practices weightlifting and running. I do a lot of running in an effort to make fitness purpose-driven. I’ll sponsor my charity and compete in races you must pay for.
You have accountability, and I train for it, too. Because it won’t, I can’t just promise to exercise four times per week and hope it happens.
In the garage, I set up a makeshift gym with weights in lockdown. Sometimes I arrive before everyone is awake. Finding time for family life is key. a little me-time in the middle.
Moving forward and saying, “I’ve had a cake or I’ve skipped the gym, I’ll carry on,” is a phrase that “movement definitely ebbs and flows.” When you need to invoke discipline, that is. ”
Motivational speaker Katie reads podcasts and audiobooks while exercising. Still Beautiful, her own book, is due out in June. I have a lot of things going on. I feel guilty because I believe I’m actually doing both research and exercising. You should be allowed to run for 30 minutes without feeling bad, so I made the most of it, which is ridiculous. Additionally, creativity thrives there. ”
She finds that her mind is too busy to focus on meditation, so she spends her time crafting. I believe I haven’t finished the online store or the cleaning supplies if I sit still. I create a lot of art with gems, which is similar to painting with numbers. Your mental health should be preserved. Put yourself first so you can assist others in the future. ”
