Brenda Donohue, freelance broadcaster, tells Patricia Weston that although it's a battle against her personality to exercise, she goes to the gym twice a week.
Do you exercise?
I'm a great woman for talking about exercise, rather than doing it. I have been exercising though, for the past six months.
I go to the gym on average twice a week for 40 minutes and not a minute more. I work out on the bike for 10 minutes, the walker for 15 minutes and the cross-trainer for 15 minutes.
Is keeping fit a pleasure or a penance?
I'm definitely not someone who enjoys exercise. It's a constant battle against my personality. I have to lose weight, so I go to the gym. After I've been on holidays I usually stop going. Then I have to force myself to get back into it.
Are there any other activities you enjoy?
I enjoy swimming. I think it's great. I always swam, ever since I was a kid.
I also enjoy walking. I moved from Dublin to Kildare and there are some beautiful walks along the back roads. I put the youngest child in the buggy and walk the roads.
Do you take any fitness classes at the gym?
No, I absolutely hate aerobics. It's too fast and sweaty and I can't keep up with it. There's a Pilates class starting in September, so I might give that a try.
What do you love to eat?
My problem is that I love to eat unhealthy food. I love pizzas, take-aways and crisps. My idea of relaxation is a nice meal out with two to three bottles of wine. I do try to eat healthily, but I go through phases.
I've become addicted to Indian take-aways lately and I love to sit in with a take-away on Friday and Saturday nights.
Do you diet?
I'm on the Weight Watchers diet at the moment.
Have you ever smoked?
I've given up the fags since January and I really miss them because I loved them. I find it's easier to stay off them now because they're banned in the pubs, but the odd time I'd treat myself to a tipped cigar.
Patricia Weston recommends:
The exercise bike, treadmill, cross-trainer and stepper are machines designed to help you achieve cardiovascular fitness - to keep the heart, vascular system and lungs healthy. But sometimes trudging away can become monotonous and boring. Here are some tips to keep you moving and motivated:
Break your workout up into short, high-intensity bursts. If you usually spend 20 minutes on one machine, vary your workout by spending 10 minutes on the exercise bike, then switching to the treadmill or stepper for 10 minutes. It's a great way to burn more calories.
Alternatively, combine your cardio work with your weightlifting. Alternate five to 10 minutes of cardio exercise with five to 10 minutes of weightlifting, or mix two five-minute sets of different cardio exercises with two five-minute weightlifting sets.
If you like to watch the TV while you exercise, increase the intensity, or set the treadmill to an incline during the adverts.
Take an aerobics class or circuit training class as an alternative to your machine work.
To maintain a healthy fitness level, help reduce injuries, improve strength, stamina and flexibility, you should combine your cardio work at the gym with resistance training and lots of stretching.
Exercise programmes should be changed every six to eight weeks to prevent a plateau in fitness level.
Brenda will be in Time nightclub in Naas on the last Sunday of every month hosting the Sex and the City Singles Party.
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.