Coronation Street actress Sair Khan has revealed that becoming a mother has completely changed her priorities, especially when it comes to fitness. The 38-year-old, who has played solicitor Alya Nazir on the ITV soap since 2014, welcomed her son with partner Nathan Chilton in 2024. She says being active is now about feeling energized and strong, rather than worrying about her appearance.
From Looks to Energy and Stamina
“At the risk of sounding a bit vain, I used to worry more about how I looked rather than anything else,” Sair said. “Now, that's completely shifted and I want to feel more energized, and I just want to have that confidence, and to feel strong.”
With an active toddler, Sair says there is little downtime. “I've got an active toddler, there isn't a lot of down time unless it's nap time. We're walking at the weekends, doing soft play, and you need the stamina for soft play because you are up and down those slides! I want to be able to do all that with my son as he grows older, and I want to be able to keep up with him.”
Finding Balance with Move for 10
Sair has been taking part in This Girl Can's recent Move for 10 campaign, which encourages people to do 10 minutes of movement 10 times a month. She says the simple challenge has slotted into her busy days on set and around family time, without the pressure of intense workouts.
“It's all about balancing work and family life, but I almost think that's a bit of a myth these days. Sometimes you can do it all, and other weeks there is no balance to be seen,” she explained. “You just have to be realistic with your expectations of what you can achieve. Move for 10 appealed to me, because it's something realistic, and I can still prioritise my own well-being, and still manage family life and work, which is important.”
Sair admits she can be hard on herself and often prioritises work and family over her own needs. “I get stuck in a bit of a rut,” she said. “I'm such a positive person, but even I'm guilty of that negative self-talk sometimes if I don't manage to stick to a routine. But with my job, there isn't really a routine, it's hard.”
Small Steps and Family Support
The actress has seen the benefits of starting small with exercise and only doing what feels achievable. “My biggest takeaway is how much it has improved my mood and my energy. I'm not looking to lose a load of weight or get a six-pack,” she said. “I just want to feel more confident in myself. The key is to not put too much expectation on myself and just go with how I feel, and what feels good and right for you.”
She added: “I think it's so important not to judge yourself against what anyone else is doing or anyone else's routine. Be kind to yourself, and start small.”
Sair's two-year-old son has also been involved in her fitness journey, with the pair taking part in kids yoga together. “It's so good! We do that together, and he's so good at it! He knows all the moves. We're trying to learn the Tree pose at the moment. It's just something fun that we can do together, and we did that in the summer a lot because it meant just being outside. It's also good just to tire him out!”
Her son has also been helping her track her progress. “It's really cute because my son's been getting involved with tracking what I've been doing and how it makes me feel,” Sair said. “There's a grown-up sticker chart, and my son likes to help me with it. Seeing how well I'm doing gives me a boost, because starting can sometimes be the hardest part. It's something that is just for me, and not for anyone else.”
Busy Times on the Cobbles
With a little one and long hours of filming, Sair says there is little time to unwind at home. “Every week looks so different for me,” she shared. “There's a Pilates studio at the bottom of my street, so I have no excuse not to go, and that's really given me the motivation, just something being attainable and reachable. I used to spend three hours going to the gym, having a shower afterwards, and then having a smoothie. I don't have that time anymore. I have to do what works within my life at the moment. There have been times where I haven't prioritised being active, and you really notice the difference.”
“Move for 10 has helped me incorporate exercise back into my life again. When things get busy, I put myself at the bottom of the list. Having 10 minutes just to do something for me, and knowing I don't need to feel guilty about it, is so important.”
It is also a busy time for Sair on the Coronation Street cobbles, with her hinting at huge drama ahead for her character Alya and her partner Adam Barlow. “As much as I want to see them committed, it's not going to be the easiest journey for that to happen. So keep watching just for that,” she teased. “There might be a few obstacles in the way. Their relationship might get more serious in terms of the drama, which you can't avoid if you're in a soap opera! I know that Alya is going to be getting in-between some of the Barlow drama, but they've been so great with me, and really welcomed me into that family, so I'm here for it.”
Sair added: “I'm definitely finding my feet with the Barlows and where I fit in, but in the best way possible. I'm in awe of the way that they work, and I'm really happy to be a part of it.”
