Actor Karl Shiels tells Patricia Westonhow he aims to fight the ageing process - less smoking and drinking, more walking and cycling.
Are you fit?
I wouldn't say I'm very fit but I am getting there. As the ageing process takes its toll, I tend to be the one who takes a stand and says to hell with that, let's live a bit longer. So the steps are being taken and progress is in its early but vital stages.
What's your typical training session?
I cycle every day and walk every day. I try to smoke less, drink less and think about tomorrow. And I have recently discovered The Five Tibetan Rites. I swear, forget about anything else, these rites are really great.
Do you worry about your appearance?
Of course. I'm an actor.
Is there anything about your body you'd like to change?
Toning seems to be the buzzword for me at the minute.
What would you eat in a typical day?
At the moment for breakfast I have Special K with soya milk, then a soya latte or maybe six. Lunch is kippers in brine, or tuna in sunflower oil, then popcorn and lots of water. For dinner I have meat of some description with green vegetables and maybe some wine and the odd pint or two.
Have you ever used any alternative remedies?
Yes. I've tried Chakra balancing and had a Shamanic healing which got rid of all my stomach snakes (I didn't know I had any before then).
But I have always believed in the power of prayer, to a certain point.
Karl stars in Tall Tales & Bewley's Café Theatre production of Hue & Cry by Deirdre Kinahan running at Bewley's Café Theatre lunchtimes Monday- Saturday at 1.10pm until July 7th.
Patricia Weston's exercise prescription:
Karl's chosen activities - walking and cycling - are great aerobic exercises. They are low impact, which means they pose a very small risk of injury. Get the most from your walking or cycling and aim to walk or cycle for at least 30 minutes non stop three-four times a week to tone all over and keep your heart and lungs in good shape.
•Watch your form when you're cycling to get a better workout. Keep your knees tucked in so that your legs move straight up and down, rather than pushing them out to the sides.
•Keep your back flat and your shoulders and elbows relaxed to prevent soreness.
•Don't stomp down on the pedals, cycle smoothly in even circles, applying pressure evenly throughout the pedal stroke.
•Try one pedal cycling and take it in turns for one minute at a time.
•Increase your fitness level faster by improving your walking technique too.
•Walk tall, hold in your abdominal muscles, straighten your back and strike the ground with your heel first.
•Swing your arms to burn more calories and keep up a brisk pace.
•Use the talk test to measure your pace; you should be slightly out of breath as you walk but able to talk, if you're gasping for air slow down.
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.