Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff has revealed that her pregnancy was the only time she hasn’t been on a diet, due to the ongoing pressure of her career.
In an interview with Now magazine, Kristina has explained how she managed to put aside the everyday pressures of her work for the months she was pregnant: "For the first time in my life I wasn’t dieting. You’re always conscious about your weight as a dancer."
The professional dancer, 39, who starred in Strictly Come dancing until last year, and announced her pregnancy on Celebrity Big Brother in January, gave birth to daughter Mila this summer. She met Mila's dad, rugby player Ben Cohen, on the show in 2013 – at the time he was married to wife Abby and the couple have two children together.
But since Mila's birth Kristina says she’s “feeling a bit more pressure” to lose weight to get ready for her show in December, although she doesn't want things to go too far: "I don’t want to be completely overwhelmed with having to lose weight and have it jeopardise my health,' she added.
Kristina has also explained some of the baby weight just comes off naturally through breastfeeding and daily life: "Just walking with the pram and doing lots of exercise with it is effective. You have to be clever with your time. While the little one is asleep you do whatever you can, for 20 or 30 minutes.
"I use the pram as a ballet barre or for squats. I do hot yoga too, which exercises your mind as well as your body."
Ben and Kristina are keen to get married, when they feel ready: "I want to be in better shape on my wedding day than I am now."
Kristina is also looking forward to getting into the dancefloor again in December for One More Dance at the Adelphi Theatre. The show also features her fellow ex-Strictly star Gleb Savchenko, Anita Rani's partner from last year.
Kristina told Londontheatre1: "I want to get on that stage and perform one more time for all of the loyal amazing fans who supported me for eight years on Strictly Come Dancing. Having a family is the most fulfilling feeling in the world but of course, I miss dancing and this is my chance to give back to the fans.’
‘Life is very different now since I had my little one. She is the most important and precious thing in my life. I didn’t want to come back to work too early as I didn’t want to miss those special first months with Mila.
‘That’s why this show is perfect as it’s going to be late November when I start working and Mila will be 5 months old. I have a wonderful support from the whole family which allows me to do this show.’
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