Comedian Jason Byrne admits he is no fitness fanatic but tells Patricia Weston his stage routine and four-year-old son keep him in reasonable shape
Do you exercise?
I suppose I exercise in my head. I'm great for joining gyms. I joined a gym in Fairview when I lived there a few years ago and I think I went twice in the year, and that was to meet mates for coffee. I live in Swords now and my wife and myself joined Jackie Skelly's gym. Once I have the membership card I feel like I'm healthier. I did the fitness assessment where they weigh and measure you and tell you how fat you are but I've only been about five times since then. My wife goes all the time. Gyms count on people like me who join and then don't bother going.
So you're not an exercise junkie?
Eh no, a friend of mine who works as a chef was telling me she was doing Pilates and I thought that meant she was making some new kind of dessert or something.
Would you consider yourself fit?
I'm fairly fit - well I think I'm fit. I remember the day when I stopped being really fit, it was when I bought a Vespa scooter. Before that I walked and cycled everywhere. When I'm on stage I'm constantly running around and I sweat like a pig. My four-year-old keeps me active as well. When I walk to the shops with him I always have to carry him back.
Were you sporty in school?
I was a long distance runner and I ran in trials. I ran barefoot on Santry racetrack once because I thought I'd be lighter. I was way ahead at the beginning of the race and they were using me as a pacemaker, then my heels began to bleed and I came last.
Are you a healthy eater?
My missus is very fit and healthy and she's a brilliant cook. She makes juices in the morning and cooks lots of healthy food, which is a far cry from my 70s processed food upbringing.
Have you any unhealthy habits?
When I'm away from home gigging I'd eat from the chippers. I couldn't eat before a gig because my stomach would be in knots so I'd be starving when I'm finished.
Patricia Weston recommends:
• Now that the cold, dark wintry months are setting in you might be tempted to spend your evenings in front the television. If so, here's a workout you can do while you watch your favourite programmes.
• Take 20-30 minutes to perform these exercises.
• Warm up by marching around the room and on the spot for 5-10 minutes. Swing your arms no higher than your head and do bicep curls and front arm raises as you march.
• Work the muscles in your legs by doing leg lunges. Stand with your feet together then step one foot forward and lunge. Keep your balance by placing your hands on your hips.
• Do box press-ups to strengthen the chest, shoulders and arms. Kneel on all fours rather than on your toes and hold your tummy muscles in tight.
• Strengthen the stomach muscles by doing crunches. Place your hands behind your head and try not to pull your neck. Perform this exercise slowly for maximum benefit.
• Sit on the couch, then slide your bum off it, keep your palms on the couch behind you and dip your bum towards the floor, bending your elbows. This tones the triceps muscles in the arms.
• Perform these exercises in a circuit by decreasing the number of reps. Begin by doing 12 reps of each then reduce to 10, eight, six, four, and two.
• Cool down at the end by marching slowly for five minutes and drink lots of water.
• 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.