Martin King, Today FM DJ and TV3 presenter, tells Patricia Weston he finds the young pups (both of them) provide plenty of exercise
Do you exercise?
I have a five-year-old son, an 18-month-old son and now an eight-week-old pup and you want to know if I exercise?
Have you gym membership?
No but I'd join one just for the rest.
What's your favourite activity?
We only just got digital TV, so exercising my thumb is my current favourite activity.
Any exercises you'd like to try?
Yeah, that one where you lie down for eight hours and shut your eyes.
Are you a healthy eater?
I try to be. We don't fry food at all in our house. We do own a pan but it only comes out on pancake Tuesday.
What foods do you love?
Jenny (my good lady) makes some amazing pasta dishes and a great chicken risotto.
Any unhealthy vices?
I like a Sambuca after a good meal. I was told it cuts through the food and helps you digest what you've eaten. Sounds good to me so I'll have another three please.
Are you a smoker?
I smoked for 13 years but gave them up, finally, in 1988.
Is there anything about your body you'd like to change?
Are you planning to serialise this interview?
Would you consider cosmetic surgery?
I'd say no but others might say I should consider it.
What's your attitude to exercise?
Seriously, I wish I could manage my time a bit better so that I could exercise because I know I need to. I encourage my children to stay away from cigarettes and exercise as often as they can or else they could wind up looking like me.
Patricia Weston recommends:
Like adults children should also perform at least 30 minutes of physical exercise at least three to four days each week to achieve and maintain good cardiovascular fitness. If your child or children don't have a full 30 minutes of exercise each day, try to encourage them to do two 15-minute periods or three 10-minute periods.
Here are some tips to keep your kids active:
Take family walks or cycles at the weekend. If you exercise regularly yourself you'll be a positive fit role model for your child.
Walk or cycle with your child to school or their after-school activity rather than driving.
Encourage your child to do active household chores such as light housework, gardening or washing the car.
Limit sedentary activities such as computer games and TV.
Expose your child to as many different physical activities as you can such as roller-skating, gymnastics, dancing, etc.
Praise them for all their efforts whether they win or lose.
Set up a trampoline in the garden and watch your child bounce away for hours.
Encourage your child to stretch regularly to maintain strong flexible muscles.
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.
pweston@eircom.net