5 minutes with… Kylie Gillies

Do you ever look at some women and wonder, “How do they do it?” Well that’s the kind of thing I think when I look at TV presenter Kylie Gillies. She’s beautiful, she’s successful and she’s a mother of two boys (three, if you include cute pup, Pepe), so I can’t help but be amazed at how she manages to look so fit, healthy and happy when many of us struggle to fit in a gym session once a week.

We recently caught up with Kylie, who is the new ambassador for Hill’s Ideal Balance Pet Nutrition, to discover her secrets to successfully juggling her family life with a career. The answers may surprise you…

bh: Kylie, you are one busy woman and you look great! When do you find the time to work out each day?

KG: I don’t! I don’t have a set workout routine, I’m not a member of a gym, I don’t have a personal trainer. Any exercise I do is incidental. Taking our French Bulldog Pepe for a walk around the block, or running around after my two sons is about as structured as it gets I’m afraid.

bh: What would you suggest to other mums who wants to squeeze in a workout before work in the morning?

KG: Well I’m out the front door by 6.30am each morning so a pre-work morning workout is NEVER on my radar. I get up at 5.45am as it is! I have friends who’ve formed walking groups and they seem to enjoy that of a morning before the kids get up for school.

bh: With the early morning starts, do you ever suffer from puffy eyes or dark circles?

KG: As I’ve got older I’ve noticed I probably use a bit more concealer than I once did. But I’m lucky. My hair and makeup gets done for me five days a week by the fabulous hair and make-up team at Channel Seven. It’s wonderful - the best part of my job! On a weekend, I don’t worry much. It’s dirty hair pulled back in a ponytail with minimal make-up. It really hurts if I have to do it myself, I’ve been very spoilt.

bh: What are your best tips for winding down?

KG: I’m a sucker for a good reality TV show – I love real estate ones! Oh, and getting outdoors with the kids and our dog. A run around the park really clears your head and is a good chance for some conversation with the kids away from screens. On the rare occasion we have an afternoon off kid’s sport on a weekend, we’ll head to the movies.

bh: How do you ensure your skin looks healthy and radiant?

KG: I always, without fail, remove my make-up before bed. I never miss this because television make-up is quite full on. I’ve just started recently using Ultraceuticals products and my skin is really responding. They’re a little more active than some out there and they have a "doctors’ range. They’re also full of vitamins C, A and D, which is great. I don’t have facials; I find I don’t have the time.

bh: How do you ensure you eat healthily with such a busy schedule?

KG: I keep it simple, REALLY simple – slow-cooked casseroles and meat and three veg. I also freeze all leftovers, which I find handy on busy sports afternoons. I don’t have time to run all over town looking for so called ‘healthy’ food. Keep to the basics, and you won’t go wrong. And having take-out occasionally doesn’t hurt too much. It’s all about the balance!

What are your top tips for juggling a family and a career?