Ben Dunne, owner of Westpoint Health & Fitness Centre in Blachardstown, Dublin outlines his three-times-a-week routine to Patricia Weston
Do you take regular exercise?
Yes, I exercise three times a week in my own gym in Blanchardstown for an hour and a half. I go in the mornings at 7a.m., otherwise other things would come up and I'd never get a chance to exercise, and you can't always get the opportunity to exercise outdoors.
Why do you exercise?
I'm exercising to lose weight. I started exercising regularly in October. I was playing golf with an 80-year-old man this year that was very fit and energetic and I thought I'd like to be trim and active at 80 as well. I'm 55 years old now and if I stay the way I am I won't be too active at 80. I'm overweight and want to do something about it, so I made a decision to lose the weight and get fit.
What do you in the gym?
In that hour and a half I workout with a personal trainer doing cardio-vascular exercise; on the treadmill and exercise bike and resistance training; working with weights. It's easier to workout with someone else. You learn a lot more with a personal trainer and it's a more helpful way to exercise. He gives me a wide variety.
What's your favourite activity?
My favourite exercise is stretching. I stretch for 20 minutes with the personal trainer, it feels great and I enjoy it. Stretching is probably the best form of exercise.
Would you ever consider taking up an exercise like yoga?
No, I couldn't see myself getting into a leotard to do yoga. I've no desire to do that at this stage of my life.
How does exercise make you feel?
The benefits are enormous, I've lost nearly a half a stone. I have more energy and feel so much better and I enjoy it. Exercise is good for you, but you have to get into a regime and stick to it.
Do you use public transport or do you walk/cycle to work?
No, I drive to work.
Have you ever tried dieting?
I have tried a few diets but found they were too strict for me. If you exercise and make your mind up to stay healthy then you'll naturally start to watch what you eat. My eating habits are the next thing I'm going to tackle. I discovered that once I started exercising I became more conscious of what I was eating. It took me 10 years to get to the size I am today. When I gave up the cigarettes eight years ago the weight piled on. I'm giving myself four years to lose that weight I gained.
What would you eat in a typical day?
I have a good breakfast in the morning of bacon, eggs, tomatoes and brown bread. For lunch I'd probably have salad and maybe chicken or fish then a light dinner. I'm trying to cut back on the evening meal to lose weight.
What stresses you?
I don't get stressed, I don't allow myself to get stressed. If you're over anxious you get stressed so I try never to let myself get over anxious about anything.
Patricia Weston recommends:
Employing a personal trainer, if you can afford it is a great idea. On average it costs between €30-€45 per session. If you're thinking of taking up exercise late in life the trainer can ensure you exercise safely and effectively.
Investing in a heart rate monitor is good. It paces exercise. You attach a strap to your chest and the monitor to your wrist. This measures your heart rate to ensure exercising is at the right intensity -not too hard or not too easy - to burn calories and increase fitness.
Cardio-vascular work (exercising on the treadmill, bike or rowing machine), while great for getting fit and burning calories, can be monotonous. Taking up another activity along with a gym regime, perhaps swimming or brisk outdoor walking, is an option.
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates instructor - it is advisable to consult your GP when embarking on any exercise regime.