Lucy Verasamy is a weather forecaster and presenter on ITV. We caught up with her at our Fulham Road store to discuss fitness favourites, dream days off and life on set.
How did you get into weather forecasting?
The simplest answer is - I did a week's work experience at a private weather company that's now the biggest in Europe, and never left...
How has being in this industry affected your life?
Hugely - too many ways to describe!
What’s your favourite part of what you do?
Each day is rarely the same working in weather and in a newsroom. It certainly keeps us on our toes.
Have you ever been starstruck by someone you met through work?
A few people walk through the ITV doors - and I usually do a second take if that person was a big deal when I was younger. I met Michael Palin a few months ago - that made my year! A friend invited me to a talk about his travels. He was funny and fascinating.
What’s something not many people know about meteorology and forecasting?
We don’t have an autocue. All weather presenters ad lib.
When you’re not on set, how do you like to spend your time?
I’m in the middle of renovating a flat... But I’m not sure that I’m a natural!
What do you do to stay active?
I used to do Body Barre and Reformer Pilates regularly, but it’s been trickier to stick to a routine this year. I walk everywhere and I don’t have a car. I love hiking too and went to the Swiss Alps on a hiking trip earlier this summer.
What particular fitness goal are you working on at the moment?
Going for a run every morning with my pup, but it's more likely to happen two to three times a week. I miss doing classes though and now I’ve moved to a different part of London I’m scouting my new area for new ones.
Favourite fitness studio/PT in London?
Most recently, I’ve been going to Reformer Pilates at Frame. Candida Mead is a brilliant one-on-one PT in Fulham and she's the one that initially got me into Reformer Pilates. Absolute Pilates is also a great Reformer studio and I love Paola Body Barre too.
Why is fitness such an important part of your life?
We’ve only got one body, so I want to look after it.
What’s your favourite music to workout to?
Luke’s playlist at Absolute Pilates in Fulham is one of a kind. It’s like a ‘best of blast from the past’ - and nothing overly current/in the charts - which makes a change!
Press ups or burpees?
Burpees with a star jump.
What’s always in your gym bag?
A hair bobble and flip flops.
Best local hangout?
I’m into my local Italian deli right now. I also love Battersea Park.
My ideal Sunday includes...
I sometimes work on Sundays, but if I've got the day off I like going to areas that are crazy busy in the week but quieter and more pleasant at weekends. Last Sunday evening I met a friend for impromptu self-engineered wine tasting (we shared 125ml) and delicious food at restaurant bar I’d never been to. I took my pup along and it was lovely! I don't always work on Mondays, so I can often relax on Sunday evenings.
Favourite brand at The Sports Edit?
I love my MZ Wallace backpack. It comes everywhere with me!
