Comedian Patrick McDonnell tells Patricia Weston he has never been sporty and now gets funny looks when he 'walks like a maniac' through prim suburbia
Do you exercise? Yes, I walk like a maniac. I try to get out every day if I can, mostly to try to get my daughter asleep in the pram. I walk very fast in general, much to the annoyance of my wife, but when I'm out for a proper walk I go mental.
I used to live beside the Phoenix Park, which was great because that was always full of people power walking, but I get a lot of funny looks now that I live in suburbia and am limited to walking through prim and proper housing estates.
I've never been sporty or competitive but for as long as I can remember I've loved cycling and walking.
Do you think you're fit? I wouldn't be fit enough to tog out for Barcelona but I'm in fairly good shape.
Are you self-conscious? I was quite self-conscious when I was a teenager but now I couldn't care less. I take after my father like that. He didn't care less what he wore or how he looked. I remember him wearing Quinnsworth shopping bags on his head when it rained. I was mortified to be seen with him when I was young but I'd probably wear the Tesco equivalent now if I were stuck.
What part of your body would you like to change? I'd like broader shoulders. You need them nowadays to wear anything from men's clothes shops.
My body shape was fine years ago - I could wear pretty much anything - but now you have to be taller, thinner and have a coat hanger for shoulders.
Is your diet healthy? I hope so. When I'm on the road gigging or filming I eat nothing but rubbish and tend to put on weight fairly quickly but if I'm at home for any length of time I eat well and stay in shape. I used to eat loads of chocolate after lunch and dinner but I've substituted it for Fig Rolls and feel the benefits.
What do you think of exercise? I love it. I only wish I had the time to do it in a more concerted way.
Patricia Weston's exercise prescription:
Exercise can't change your body shape but it can certainly tone, strengthen, bulk up or streamline certain areas.
You can change your body composition - the amount of muscle and fat on your body - with exercise and diet but you cannot change the basic shape of your body.
Once you discover your body shape you should follow a workout plan to enhance your shape.
The three basic shapes are ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph:
Ectomorphs are typically long, lean and slim. They usually have narrow shoulders and narrow hips. People of this body shape should aim to build strength and bulk in their muscles by lifting moderate to heavy weights with low repetitions, working all the main muscles of the body in a split programme on alternate days.
Mesomorphs have bigger builds and have a tendency to build muscle easily. Their shoulders are broader than their hips.
If you are a mesomorph, you should do light weight training only twice a week just to tone and streamline your body rather than build bulk.
Endomorphs have a tendency to carry more body fat than muscle. They are curvy with wide hips. Tone your body shape with a total body workout working all the main muscles and using moderate weights for 12-15 repetitions.
Concentrate on your upper back, shoulders and arm muscles to balance out your body shape.
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.
Consult a physician or qualified healthcare provider before embarking on any exercise regime, and stop exercising if you feel nauseated or dizzy.