After having three children, Tanya Airey, managing director of Sunway Travel Group, finds she needs to exercise daily and choose carefully what she eats, she tells Patricia Weston
What's your exercise routine? I power walk every day for 30 or 60 minutes, depending on how much time I have. I take the same route all the time; I leave my house and walk to the end of the pier in Dún Laoghaire.
Have you always worked out? Up to the age of 30 I was slim but after that I needed to exercise because I gradually put on a stone after having three kids. I was very much into athletics in school and I played hockey.
Do you eat well? Yes, I like having a smoothie for breakfast. I used to eat a roll and crisps for lunch but now I have salad with lots of seeds and I avoid carbohydrates. I also avoid desserts at dinner and I make sure I eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
What are your food vices? I love coffee and chocolate and alcohol. I used to have wine with dinner most evenings but then I found it made me very tired when I was trying to get the kids to bed so I stopped that and now I have wine only at the weekend.
Do you take supplements? I take vitamins for my hair, skin and nails and I take ginseng for energy.
Any injuries? I suffer from lower back problems and I know I should do some stretching to ease it but I'm really bad and I don't always get around to it.
Patricia Weston recommends:
Try this stretching sequence to ease muscle tension and improve flexibility. This routine can be done any time of the day or even after your regular workout. Hold each stretch for 40 seconds:
Kneel on a mat on the floor and sit back on your hunkers. Raise your arms over your head and stretch as far as you can. Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
Bring your outstretched arms forward to touch the floor and tuck your head in, resting your forehead on the floor.
On all fours arch your back and shoulders and then hold.
Lie down on your stomach, leaning on your elbows and forearms, and gently raise your back up and stretch back as far as you can.
Stretch further by rising up on your hands as you extend your back and tilt your head back.
Slowly come up to a standing position but keep your hands touching the floor and your head tucked in.
Then spread your feet hip distance apart and walk your hands forward until your torso is stretched forward. Tilt your pelvis to the ceiling and look straight ahead.
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.