The One Show presenter Alex Jones has revealed she has adopted a 36-hour fasting routine as she approaches her 50th birthday in March. Speaking to The Sun's TV Mag, she said: "I do a 36-hour fast now and again because there are so many health benefits to it."
Fasting with her husband
Alex, who has three children and a demanding TV career, explained that her husband Charlie joins her for the lengthy fasts. "My husband and I do it - you have to do it together otherwise you get 'hangry'," she joked. Some of their friends fast even longer, with Alex admitting: "Some of our friends do 84 hours, which I don't think I could do with a job and three kids."
She noted that her friends had more flexibility while working from home, saying: "They were working from home, so if they're feeling a bit funny, they can have a lie down, but that's not an option for me."
Weight training and diet
Alongside fasting, Alex has started lifting weights and is already seeing benefits. "And I started doing some weight training, which I'm really enjoying and seeing the benefits of that," she said. She insists she doesn't overdo exercise: "I don't exercise like a nutter, but I do always walk anyway because we take Scout [the family dog] out." Her diet remains balanced, as she stated: "I don't restrict what I eat, I just eat good stuff."
The One Show anniversary
The comments come as The One Show prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a week of special programmes, culminating in a Friday night celebration. Alex has been a presenter on the show for 16 years and has no plans to leave. Despite speculation about other opportunities, including Strictly Come Dancing, she said: "I would never give up The One Show in favour of something else. Is there a better job? I don't think there is. There is nowhere I'd prefer to be."
During her time on the show, Alex married businessman Charlie, welcomed three children - Ted, nine, Kit, seven, and Annie, four - and moved from London to rural Berkshire. Reflecting on this period, she said: "It will forever be the busiest and most monumental part of my life, I suppose."
