Singer Mickey Joe Harte tells Patricia Westonthat the best kind of exercise is the stuff you enjoy - whatever floats your boat is best
Do you exercise?
Yes, I do. I mostly like to swim. I'm lucky I have a really nice public pool near where I live and when I'm in Dublin I'm very grateful to the Green Isle Hotel at Newlands Cross. They let me use their pool and it's a nice place to chill out away from the hustle of Dublin.
I also play some five-a-side soccer when I'm at home with my mates. And I go for the odd cycle on my bike.
Are you fit?
Yes. I think I'm fit all right. I don't flex in front of the mirror or anything, I swear.
Have you suffered any serious illnesses or injuries?
I guess I've been fairly fortunate and I haven't had any serious illnesses although I did lose my voice about five years back and I had to rest completely for a few months. That was a rough time as it's hard to pay the bills when you are not working, although some might think that not such a bad thing.
Do you worry about your appearance and how you are perceived?
Yes, of course. I think most of us do. And because of the nature of what I do I have to look good or at least as good as I can.
Would you ever consider cosmetic surgery?
Yes, I'd like to get my teeth sorted out once and for all and maybe knock a bit of the yellow out of them. I like tea and wine too much I guess.
Do you eat a balanced diet?
I try to but unfortunately when you're on the road you sometimes must eat what you can, when you can. But I do try to drink a lot of water and eat as much fruit as possible. And I try not to eat too many chips and greasy food when out and about.
What do you stress about?
My kids, paying the bills and being away from home - all that can be stressful.
How do you chill out and relax?
I like to swim, go to the pictures or for a nice meal followed by a night in a nice hotel.
What's your attitude towards exercise?
I like it and I think the best kind of exercise is the stuff you enjoy. Whether that's swimming, cycling or walking, whatever floats your boat is best I think.
Mickey's new album, Live and Learn, is in the shops now.
Patricia Weston's exercise prescription:
Swimming laps of the pool is great exercise. Try this swim workout to avoid boredom and keep you in top condition:
Aim to do different strokes for each lap or every second lap to vary your routine, even if you can't do all four strokes just swap between at least two of them or do one stroke and combine it with treading water.
Take up vertical aqua exercise; try jogging on the spot in the shallow end for three-five minutes to give your legs a really good workout.
Do jumping jacks and combine them with bicep curls, do eight repetitions for an all over body workout.
Hold onto the side of the pool with your right hand and kick your right leg to the side, then swing it across the front, back to the side and behind you. Repeat four times on each side.
Perform can-can kicks, do a knee bend then kick out to the front six-eight times on each leg as fast as you can to tone your legs.
Alternatively join an aqua aerobics class; it's a workout that can be done by people of all ages and all fitness levels.
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.
pweston@eircom.net
Consult a physician or qualified healthcare provider before embarking on any exercise regime and stop exercising if you feel nauseous or dizzy.