Leigh Doyle, DJ on Waterford's Beat 102-103, describes his on/off exercise routine to Patricia Weston.
Do you exercise? I would call myself a part-time, regular exerciser. I tend to have a great routine for a period of time then it'll stop all of a sudden. Then, from nowhere, I'll get a huge burst of energy and inspiration and the routine gets back into full swing!
Are you a gym junkie? I'm a member of Whitford Health and Leisure in Wexford. It has great facilities and I love going there.
What's your favourite activity? I love swimming. It's very energetic and really gets your muscles going. My favourite activity, though, is the final stretch after a workout because that means I'm just minutes away from going home to melt on the couch.
Is there anything you'd like to have a go at? I wouldn't mind having a go at mountain biking. It looks exciting and very physical. Or, if I were fit enough, I'd love to be able to jog long distances. It looks easy but believe me, it's not. The last time I tried to jog a good distance I felt like someone had beaten me up! Needless to say, I haven't tried since!
Any unhealthy vices? Yes. This particular habit tends to happen in the pub at the weekend. I like the odd pint and catching up with my mates in the local but I don't smoke. I never liked it and it was a habit I was determined never to get into.
Anything about your body you'd like to change? My six pack, or rather the lack of it! It actually doesn't exist so I suppose I should maybe work on that. I think this might be a bit over ambitious though!
What's your attitude to exercise? After a busy day at work it can often be easier to just go home and be a couch potato instead of making the effort to exercise.
That said, when I actually do get off my behind and make the effort I really do feel a million times better. If I know I'm going to the gym later on in the day I tend to dread the thought of it.
But once I'm there, I find I really enjoy it and that the rewards are well worth it.
Patricia Weston recommends:
Get washboard six-pack abs with these stomach exercises.
Lie on your back on a mat, keep your lower back pressed into the floor and bend your knees.
Contract your abs and lift both legs off the mat ensuring your lower back is in contact with the floor.
Bend your knees in towards your chest and straighten them, then raise your head and neck off the floor supporting your head gently with your hands. Hold your head up as you bend and straighten your legs. Do three sets of eight reps.
The side bend strengthens and tones the oblique muscles at the side of the stomach. Begin by lying on the mat on your side leaning on your elbow with your forearm on the floor. Bend your knees behind you. Keep your back straight and contract your abs. Use your free arm in front of you for support and gently raise your hips off the mat.
Imagine there's a string attached to your hip and it's pulling you up. Lift and keep your back straight, try not to slump forward. Do three sets of six to eight reps.
With a Swiss ball or fit ball, lie on the floor on your back. Place the ball in your legs. Raise the ball up gently lifting your bum off the floor and lower. Do three sets of eight reps.
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.