Writer says that full-body exercise has helped to turn her life around
Toksvig says renewing her vows with her partner in front of 2,000 people was 'amazing'. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Toksvig says renewing her vows with her partner in front of 2,000 people was 'amazing'. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Last year, Sandi Toksvig was feeling extremely unwell. She had plantar fasciitis in both feet, a severe inflammation of the muscle which holds the foot together, and she could barely walk.
"I was walking with a stick," says the 56-year-old, in Auckland for the Writers Festival.
"I put on weight, I felt terrible. But then I met two wonderful women. One was a physiotherapist and she said something to me no one has ever said, which was the truth. 'Sandi, you have plantar fasciitis because you are fat. If you are not fat any more, you won't have plantar fasciitis.'
"I have never heard a medical person speak so directly. So I met another woman who is a fitness expert and so far I have lost 2 stone (16kg) and I am going to lose another two stone. She has got me on a diet that is cutting out sugar and I took up boxing. It is a full-body workout and I am slightly obsessed with it now ... I find it incredibly empowering. I'm a pacifist, I wouldn't want to hurt anybody but, boy, you feel different.
I don't know what my neighbours think," she laughs.
"My boxing coach has been coming to the house and all you can hear is, 'Harder, Sandi! Harder, Sandi!"'
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Sandi Toksvig will appear at the Auckland Writers Festival at the ASB Theatre on Saturday at 7,00pm, chaired by Sean Plunkett, and in a Gender Divides panel hosted by Dr.Judy McGregor at the same venue on Sunday at 1.00pm.