RTÉ presenter of About the House, Duncan Stewart, is recovering from an accident. He tells Patricia Weston of missing swims at Dublin's 40-foot
Do you take any regular exercise?
Since my accident four months ago I haven't been exercising as I used to. In Belarus I fell 15 metres on my chest, smashed 10 ribs and burst my lung, I fell on my heart. There was no cardiac equipment in the hospital so the doctors had to keep my heart going. They later said only I was fit and my heart was strong I never would've survived. Before the accident I was doing a 10km run every weekend. I'd run from my house in my swimming togs to the 40-foot and go for a swim, then just put my runners back on and run home in my wet togs. I've always liked doing that and miss it since the injury. If I don't get a chance to run, I'll cycle or walk.
Have you taken much exercise since your accident?
I've been cycling around Seapoint and around the city but I'm still in a lot of pain. I've also been swimming twice a week in Merrion pool but I'm slow.
What's your favourite activity?
I find cycling very relaxing but find you need to be on a bike for longer and do more work to get the same fitness benefits as running.
Ever suffered from a sports-related injury?
My knees suffer from running but I try to run on grass or softer surfaces such as the beach.
Ever joined a gym?
I have joined gyms but never lasted because I never felt I was getting enough value out of the membership because I didn't go often enough. I'm not putting down gyms but I think it's healthier to exercise outdoors.
Would you consider yourself fit?
Yes, I'm quite an active person. I'm the type of person who moves around a lot. When I'm working around the country I swim or go for a run up the mountains.
What's your attitude to exercise?
I regard exercise as very important but I'm not a fanatic, I always wish I was doing more. It should be given priority, some people get too tied up in work commitments.
Are you conscious about what you eat?
Yes, I'd be conscious but not a fanatic. I try to eat healthily. My son Marcus studied sports science so he's always on hand to give the family advice on healthy eating.
Patricia Weston recommends:
Cycling is a great way to get fit and maintain your fitness level. It burns around 598 calories per hour.
It's a low impact activity which means it doesn't place any pressure on your joints therefore reducing your risk of injury.
Warm up by cycling gently for five to 10 minutes beforehand and cool down by slowing down five to 10 minutes before you finish. Stretch all the major body muscles after your workout and drink water as you ride.
Most bikes have multiple gears but you'll probably find you won't need to use all the gears. To gain maximum fitness benefits, you should be cycling at around 70 to 90 revolutions a minute so you'll need to change gear to keep up that momentum.
• Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates instructor.