The 82-year-old actress, who played herbology expert Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movies, opened up about her health on the How to Fail podcast.
During the conversation, she got candid about how her diet has impacted her health, and her deteriorating spinal condition.
Ive limited my life because of my longing for fudge or chopped liver, cheesecake. All these absurdities. I shouldnt have been so greedy. I should have been stronger, she said.
She suffers from spinal stenosis, which occurs when the space inside the backbone is too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine, according to Mayo Clinic.
Its such a defeat. A cream bun, a chocolate, or a helping of chopped liver is more important than your health, than your aesthetic presentation? No it isnt. Its not more important. Its just greed, lack of discipline, all the things that Im embarrassed by in myself, she continued.
It is a major failure, and because of that, Ive got spinal stenosis. I cant walk. Im going to be in a wheelchair before Im much older.
The one thing I have not conquered and should have conquered is my weight. I am a blubber mass. I am fat. And to be fat and 82 is truly pathetic, she candidly said.
Look at Camilla, our Queen. Shes a good-looking woman; shes got her body in trim. I like her as a personI know her a bit. Shes splendid and she took care of herself and I didnt. It wasnt joy; it was laziness; it was greed and I regret it, she said.
I fuck everything up by greed. I think its shameful.
I just wasnt interested in my presentation. I knew I had good eyes, vivid hair, and a lovely smile. And I thought it would carry me through lifeSo fuck dresses and handbags. But its not about that. Its about preserving the body that you were brought into the world with, Miriam went on to say.
I fucked up. I really fucked up with my body. Im sorry for that, because I did the wrong thing. It was lovely, having cheesecake and chopped liver and spaghetti and all the things I shouldnt have. I did enjoy it.
Ultimately, while shy said I would like to be better looking; I would like to have a flatter tummy, and a stronger back and longer legs, she concluded: Fuck it. Here I am.
I used to eat horribly in my early twenties (fast food almost every day....). Cleaned up around my mid-twenties and now working to become a registered dietitian.
Good diet is important not just for physical health, but for mental health too.