Strictly's Shirley Ballas, 64, shares the savage eating habit she's adopted to maintain her size 10 figure

Strictly's Shirley Ballas, 64, shares the savage eating habit she's adopted to maintain her size 10 figure
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Strictly's Shirley Ballas, 64, shares the savage eating habit she's adopted to maintain her size 10 figure
Published: Feb, 06 2025 11:56

She is known for her strict health routine, which includes experimenting with intense juice diets, the controversial paradox plant diet, and endless yoga classes. But Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas, 64, has revealed the savage eating tip she's adopted to maintain her size 10 figure and it's not for the faint-hearted. According to Shirley, eating three meals a day becomes difficult once you hit your sixties.

 [According to Shirley, eating three meals a day becomes difficult once you hit your sixties]
Image Credit: Mail Online [According to Shirley, eating three meals a day becomes difficult once you hit your sixties]

She told The Sun: 'The first year on the Strictly Come Dancing tour, I gained ten pounds just in that one month. Then I realised you cannot eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, Shirley, you are over the age of 60!'. Determined to make a change, she decided to skip breakfast and lunch, opting for a hearty dinner instead - typically with rice and lean beef or chicken. Shirley, who recently confirmed her split from fiancé Danny Taylor, 51, also practices intermittent fasting.

 [She said: 'The first year on the Strictly Come Dancing tour, I gained ten pounds just in one month. Then I realised you cannot eat breakfast, lunch and dinner']
Image Credit: Mail Online [She said: 'The first year on the Strictly Come Dancing tour, I gained ten pounds just in one month. Then I realised you cannot eat breakfast, lunch and dinner']

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas, 64, has revealed her savage secret to maintaining her size 10 figure: only eating one meal a day. She told the publication: 'I’ve realised the body doesn’t need as much food as I keep stuffing in my face, so I do take care of it.'. 'I don’t have anything in the morning and normally around lunch I’ll have a juice, and then about 4 or 5pm my mother does a lovely meal.'.

 [Determined to make a change, she decided to skip breakfast and lunch, opting for a hearty dinner instead - typically with rice and lean beef or chicken]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Determined to make a change, she decided to skip breakfast and lunch, opting for a hearty dinner instead - typically with rice and lean beef or chicken]

Shirley recently revealed that her mother gave her a rice cooker for Christmas, prompting her to swap salads for sticky rice with beef stroganoff - a welcome change. Eating one meal a day only provides about 750 kcals per day - so expect to be hungry, especially keeping in mind that the average male and female needs 2,500 and 2,000 calories daily, respectively, to maintain weight. Regardless, Intermittent fasting, particularly the 18-6 method, has gained popularity for weight loss and maintenance.

 [Shirley, who recently confirmed her split from fiancé Danny Taylor, 51, also practices intermittent fasting which helps the body burn fat (both pictured 2022)]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Shirley, who recently confirmed her split from fiancé Danny Taylor, 51, also practices intermittent fasting which helps the body burn fat (both pictured 2022)]

It allows a six-hour eating window each day, with the remaining 18 hours dedicated to fasting, which helps the body burn fat. Other celebrities, like Jennifer Aniston and Hugh Jackman, follow this fasting regimen as well. TV presenter Carol Vorderman has also shared that she generally eats just one meal a day in the late afternoon. According to Shirley, eating three meals a day becomes difficult once you hit your sixties.

 [When she's not teaching dance, Shirley practices yoga, rides her Peloton, and takes ice baths to energise herself]
Image Credit: Mail Online [When she's not teaching dance, Shirley practices yoga, rides her Peloton, and takes ice baths to energise herself]

She said: 'The first year on the Strictly Come Dancing tour, I gained ten pounds just in one month. Then I realised you cannot eat breakfast, lunch and dinner'. Determined to make a change, she decided to skip breakfast and lunch, opting for a hearty dinner instead - typically with rice and lean beef or chicken. Her regimen works for her, and she always looks fabulous, whether in a glamorous gown on Strictly or a power suit.

 [Despite nearing 65, Shirley lives life at full speed, frequently visiting her son, Mark, 38, and grandson Banksi in California (pictured with her son Mark in 2015)]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Despite nearing 65, Shirley lives life at full speed, frequently visiting her son, Mark, 38, and grandson Banksi in California (pictured with her son Mark in 2015)]

Shirley's dedication is influenced by her mother, Audrey, who, at 87, watches her weight closely. Shirley has said her mother only weighs eight stone and carefully monitors her weight, adjusting her diet when necessary. Shirley also revealed that she doesn't see her regimen changing anytime soon, as it works well for her. She even dropped to a size six when she first joined Strictly, but that wasn't sustainable.

 [This week, Shirley is featured in the new Netflix reality show Celebrity Bear Hunt, where she joins 11 other celebrities in the Costa Rican jungle]
Image Credit: Mail Online [This week, Shirley is featured in the new Netflix reality show Celebrity Bear Hunt, where she joins 11 other celebrities in the Costa Rican jungle]

Despite her strict routine, Shirley allows herself a small treat each day - usually just one cup of coffee - and occasionally enjoys a little cake. She and fellow judge Motsi Mabuse make sure to get their five-a-day by juicing on the current Strictly live tour. Shirley has two juices a day, and Motsi joins her in the gym when possible. Shirley's dedication to fitness began at 40. She has always been vigilant about her diet, as maintaining her shape has never been easy.

 [Carol Vorderman has also revealed she only has ONE meal a day as she reveals the surprising secrets to her age-defying figure]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Carol Vorderman has also revealed she only has ONE meal a day as she reveals the surprising secrets to her age-defying figure]

Her career as a professional dancer, where she earned the title of Queen of Latin, instilled strict discipline in her from a young age. When she's not teaching dance, Shirley practices yoga, rides her Peloton, and takes ice baths to energise herself. Shirley, who recently confirmed her split from fiancé Danny Taylor, 51, also practices intermittent fasting which helps the body burn fat (both pictured 2022).

When she's not teaching dance, Shirley practices yoga, rides her Peloton, and takes ice baths to energise herself. Despite nearing 65, Shirley lives life at full speed, frequently visiting her son, Mark, 38, and grandson Banksi in California (pictured with her son Mark in 2015). This week, Shirley is featured in the new Netflix reality show Celebrity Bear Hunt, where she joins 11 other celebrities in the Costa Rican jungle.

Carol Vorderman has also revealed she only has ONE meal a day as she reveals the surprising secrets to her age-defying figure. Shirley is also meticulous about her skin and is a fan of NeoGen, a non-surgical treatment that boosts collagen production. Despite nearing 65, Shirley lives life at full speed, frequently visiting her son, Mark, 38, and grandson Banksi in California. This week, Shirley is featured in the new Netflix reality show Celebrity Bear Hunt, where she joins 11 other celebrities in the Costa Rican jungle.

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