Strictly's Karen Hauer says knee injury was the 'scariest' moment of her career as she confirms her return to BBC show | The Sun
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Karen Hauer has admitted that she would be heartbroken if an injury ever forced her to leave the BBC One show.
Karen, who was forced out of the BBC show final last year after suffering a serious knee injury, said it was one of the "scariest" moment of her career.
The professional dancer, 41, said it was "catastrophic" to not be able to dance for two months during her recovery time.
Karen – who is the longest running female professional on the show – said she is thrilled to get back on the Strictly dancefloor later this year after allowing her knee to fully recover, but said she is now dealing with a back injury.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Karen said: "It really shocked me and really shook me up. With my knee injury I had a lot of physio and had a lot of digging to do.
"My knee is really good now, it's just my back now.
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"It took me out for two months and that for me was catastrophic.
"It was one of the scariest things that I've ever had to go through and the one thing that I didn't want to get was surgery.
"Having that injury and not being able to be on the dancefloor, I took it as a reset."
When asked if she every worries that an injury could stop her performing on Strictly in the future, Karen told us: "100 per cent, with this career you never know if one step or two steps ahead you're going to twist an ankle.
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"Not that I live in that fear but it's always in the back of my head.
"But I would never retire from dancing – if I have two broken knees I would still go on the dancefloor."
The world champion dancer admitted that she would be sad if she ever had to leave the dancing show, but said it's important to listen to your body and give it time to heal.
"I've had an amazing career already and if anything were to happen, I'm very grateful," she said.
"I've used my body in ways, I've twisted it and stretched it and if my body for some reason says 'no, I need a break', then I need to allow myself and give myself that time.
"Of course it would be sad but for me if it's meant to be, if it's meant to be this way for some reason I can't be on the dancefloor, then that's what is meant to be.
"Especially if my body is not allowing me to."
Karen – who has teamed up with Holland and Barrett on a new campaign to inspire the nation to live well by moving well – will be back on the BBC One show for a 12th year running.
She said: "I am super excited to be returning – it will be my 12th year, I am the longest running female.
"I have no idea how that happened, it's really incredible and I feel really lucky and grateful that they always ask me back which is nice, it's my favourite time of the year."
The qualified personal trainer said keeping fit and active is important to her livelihood but said it's all about striking the right balance.
Discussing her knee recovery, Karen said: "I had rehab, I took all my supplements and I listened to my body.
"There are times when I know I'm pushing too much, so I need to take myself back and get back to square one.
"But it's the best that it's felt this past year was fantastic, I did three tours and my knee has been incredible.
"But I'm really thankful that I paid attention but also it's my livelihood and only you can take care of yourself.
"I think that's what's helped my recovery – you are actually stronger when you are stronger from the inside.
"Don't get me wrong I love my Prosecco, but it does help a lot especially with your recovery and anything with your joints.
"Alcohol dehydrates you and it's not the best for you – I don't think you should stop. It's about limiting yourself and really paying attention to what goes into your body."
Karen went on: "Me and my husband went dry at the beginning of the year we went dry, I slept better, I had more energy throughout the day, it is life-changing but I'm not saying I'm not going to drink. I kind of try to be more thoughtful of what is going into your body."
The TV favourite is keen to help people find their
"I'm 41 now, it doesn't matter how old you are you can always start to take care of your body and pay attention to it.
"I've always been very active but when little things like that happen to you, you start thinking of how to best take care of yourself from the inside.
"I think it is a great thing to do with Holland and Barrett and not leaving it too late.
"But if you start doing that ahead of time, you are making yourself healthier and stronger and I guess that's one of the things that I've been learning this whole time and throughout my career, is how to take care of myself at all times.
"For me, it's finding activities that you're really excited about, especially coming into the summer when everyone wants to get into shape and you're going on holidays.
"But things like making it really easy for yourself, like going for a walk, a run, a bike ride, being outside, doing a home workout, there are so many places you can find information and do workout for free.
"And being out in nature which will give you more inspiration – it's nice to be out and taking a yoga class or a boxing class or a dance class.
"But it's important to have the right balance, otherwise you can burn yourself out.
"If you do a workout today for 30mins or an hour, it doesn't have to be a long time and getting as much rest as possible, you have to recover your body. You need to have good balance and harmony."
Karen Hauer has partnered with Holland & Barrett, leading health and wellness retailer, to help the nation move well to live well.
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The retailer is offering customers 10,000 hours of free personalised check-ins to bookevery week with one of their experts to help ensure everyone can look after their joints, bones, and muscles.
The wellness retailer also has a vast range of natural products in stores and online. For more information on the virtual consultations, please visit here.
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