TV3 presenter Aidan Cooney is in training for the Dublin marathon but he admits to Patricia Weston that his diet is appalling and he finds it difficult to get off the couch
Do you keep fit?
I am a couch potato; I even look like one. If I wore pink, Nasa would see me from space.
I've joined numerous gyms but never kept going. I need to have a goal so I've decided to walk the Dublin Marathon in October for Temple Street Children's Hospital.
I had to take my son to Temple Street a while ago and they were terrific so I want to raise money for them.
How are you preparing for the marathon?
I've been walking four miles a day. It'll take me about six hours to walk around the course so I'm gradually building up to it.
In two weeks' time I'll walk seven-eight miles a day and then build it up to 10 miles and so on.
Walking is still very new to me but it's starting to feel good and I've dropped a few pounds.
Jim Aughney, the race director, has put together my plan and I'm committed to it now.
What's your diet like?
My diet is appalling. I love Indian food, I should've been an Indian I love it so much and the hotter the better. However, some of the dishes are low in fat, particularly the lamb dishes.
I have cut down recently and I am concentrating on eating good breakfasts. I have porridge and fruit in the morning and more fruit mid morning then I have a big main meal mid afternoon.
I have a protein drink in the evening because it takes the hunger away.
What's your food downfall?
I'd eat absolutely anything and I enjoy a jar at the weekends but I have to cut back.
I now have Indians only on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Will you keep fit when the marathon is over?
Well, that's the $64 million dollar question. I hope so because I feel really good.
I've also taken up golf so I think that will help keep me fit.
What does exercise do for you?
I think it becomes very important as you get older and it helps keep me sane.
I find it a wonderful way to switch off and clear my mind and I'd never take my phone out walking.
Getting off the couch for me is the hardest part.
If you would like to join Aidan in the Adidas Dublin Marathon and raise money for Temple Street Hospital log on to: www.templestreet.ie
Patricia Weston says: Here are some top marathon training tips:
Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for a marathon, even if you're only going to walk the route.
Begin your training slowly and gradually, build up your distance and speed.
Take plenty of rest to avoid injury.
Do some weight training in the gym on alternate training days to build muscle strength and give those muscles you're using for running or walking a rest.
Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after training.
Stretch out all your muscles after your training session and hold the stretch for 40 seconds for maximum flexibility and injury prevention.
• Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.
pweston@eircom.net
• Consult a physician or qualified healthcare provider before embarking on any exercise regime.