Clare McKeon, columnist and managing director of Bliss Massage & Beauty outlets in Dublin, tells Patricia Weston the gym is not her idea of fun
Are you a regular exerciser?
I do Pilates and work with weights - I walk with weights on my wrists and ankles to build strength. I'm not mad about exercise. I wouldn't be an exercise junkie but, unfortunately, it's necessary so I do it. You have to be very careful about exercise and you have to go with what your body is telling you.
Ever been a member of a gym?
No, I think people are caught up in the whole gym thing. People are getting injured in gyms and I think it's unrealistic to ask people to pay full membership when they join because 80 per cent of members never come back - it's a scam.
Are you a healthy eater?
Food is very important to me. I'm strict about what I eat. I eat organic and buy all my food locally. I don't shop in supermarkets. I'm quite hyper that way. I think there's a connection between ill health and the chemicals present in food. I get very distressed about McDonald's. My five-and-a-half year old hasn't been yet and I hope he never wants to go. The only place where there is no McDonald's is Corsica so I think I'll have to emigrate there.
Any unhealthy habits?
Not really. I love food and I love to eat meat. I love black chocolate and I like red wine. I think crisps are disgusting. I don't think I eat unhealthily.
Have you ever dieted?
No, I'm too interested in food. I believe the Atkin's diet has had a huge effect on people. I think it's a positive diet because it has educated people about carbohydrates. Traditionally, we eat too many carbohydrates in this country so it's helped people cut down on them.
Do you suffer from stress?
I'm really, really busy because I have a column in the Sunday Mirror and I'm an agony aunt for Woman's Weekly and I own my own businesses which is a big responsibility and can be very stressful. I watch TV to unwind. I love political programmes and morning radio. I meet a lot of stressed-out people in my job. I think, as a nation, we've come through a huge change and it's had a negative effect on us. People are working to live, which is causing a lot of stress.
Patricia Weston recommends: a mini anti-stress workout that will stretch and strengthen muscles and alleviate tension.
• Rise up on the balls of your feet. Hold this for two seconds and gently rock back onto your heels, pointing your toes towards the ceiling. Repeat four to five times.
• Stand straight with your knees slightly bent. Join your hands in a prayer position in front of your chest and turn your torso to the right, breathing out as you turn. Turn back to the centre, then turn to the left. Repeat four times on each side.
• Sit on the floor with your legs crossed. Stretch out your arms to the sides like wings with your palms facing the ceiling. Rotate your wrists and hands rapidly but gently, releasing all your stress into the air. Take long, deep breaths and close your eyes as you perform this exercise.
• To ease tension and stretch out the lower back, kneel on the floor and bend forward, allowing your forehead to rest on the floor. Place your arms behind you with your palms facing the ceiling. Take long deep breaths and remain in that position for as long as you feel comfortable.
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher