Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh, presenter on RTÉ's Afternoon Show, tells Patricia Weston that although exercise can be a pain, she always feels better afterwards.
Do you exercise?
Yes, I have a personal trainer, Jessica O'Connor Gavin, and she kicks my ass to run and do Pilates twice a week at 7am. I also do yoga to relax once a week.
Would you consider yourself fit?
Yes, I am fit at the moment.
Are you conscious about your appearance?
Yes, I do worry about maintaining a slim look.
Is there anything about your body you'd like to change?
I'd love a flatter tummy.
Would you consider cosmetic surgery?
I'd consider a tummy tuck.
Do you follow a balanced diet? Yes, but recently I've had to miss meals and had desperate headaches as a result so my body does warn me when I need to fuel it.
What's your food vice?
I drink too much coffee.
Have you suffered any serious illnesses or injuries?
No, but I have seen the effects of serious illness on a family and it's very stressful.
What stresses you?
My children giving out and feeling bad if I can't be there to always check their homework.
With work, I suppose what stresses me is always wanting to be challenged.
How do you unwind?
With friends having a drink or dinner or a coffee. I love company.
What's your attitude towards exercise?
It's a pain at times but I always feel better afterwards.
Patricia Weston recommends:
Try these tummy busters for a flatter stomach:
Lie on your back on a mat with your knees bent. Imagine you're tying a belt around your waist and tighten it as tight as possible. Hold in your abs to isolate the deep abdominal muscle and try not to hold your breath by breathing from the top of your chest. Hold for 10 seconds then release the 'belt' gradually.
Lie on your back with your knees bent and raised off the floor. Keep your arms by your sides and lift your bum up a couple of inches off the floor, hold and lower back down. Repeat for three sets of eight repetitions.
Lying on your back on a fit ball with your feet firmly on the floor and your hands behind your head, raise your torso up and twist your head and shoulders to the side. Repeat for three sets of eight counts on each side.
Lie on your side with your back straight and your knees bent, leaning on your elbow. Lift your hips up off the floor and straighten out your legs. Repeat 12 times on each side.
Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent. Raise your arms over your shoulders then bring them forward towards your knees and gently and slowly lift yourself up to a standing position. Return and repeat six times.
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 nauseous or dizzy.