LIFESTYLE Q&A:Lord Mayor of Dublin, Gerry Breen
Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
I think so. I’m not obsessive about my diet, but I always eat a good breakfast and have my main meal in the middle of the day. That’s essential, I think. I try not to eat late at night or to drink at functions. I despise finger food – you don’t know whether you’re full or not after it. In fact, I think I’ll launch a campaign to abolish finger food at functions.
How often do you exercise?
Five days a week, I go for a 20-minute jog in St Anne’s Park, Raheny, and I’ll do some stretches. I sometimes do an 8km walk from my home out along Bull Wall. It’s important to take some space, for the benefit of your mental health too.
Do you get your five a day?
What’s “five a day”? I’ll drink a glass of orange, eat one full orange and some mandarin oranges every day – so I might be overdosing on the vitamin C a bit, but I rarely get colds. I’d also eat an apple or a pear in the evening. I’ll eat vegetables whenever they are going. I’m not obsessive about my diet – I think variety is the most important thing.
Do you worry?
I suppose I do. It’s really just about getting things done. I went on holidays recently and woke up the morning before we flew out, full of adrenaline. I’ve only got 45 more weeks left in the job, so there’s a lot to do. But I think it’s a positive as opposed to a negative worry.
What do you do to relax?
There’s a danger of using the TV as an electronic dummy so, rather than sitting in front of it, I try to get out for a walk. I really relaxed on my holidays and read about six books in a fortnight.
What’s your unhealthiest habit?
I should probably get more sleep. I’m an early riser and sometimes I might only get six and a half hours’ sleep. I tend to overdo things – a certain person I live with claims that I’m a workaholic, but that person also keeps my feet on the ground.
In conversation with Joanne Hunt
