Philip Boucher Hayes, RTÉ Radio 1 journalist and presenter, tells Patricia Weston that despite his coffee habit he does his bit to stay healthy.
Do you take any regular exercise?
Exercise, yes. Regularly, well I try.
Every morning at 7.30am I walk/run the dog for an hour while listening to Morning Ireland. I do this seven days a week but I don't think I run enough.
Would you consider yourself fit?
I could catch a bus without killing myself, but not much more.
Is your job active or sedentary? Presenting is extremely sedentary. Reporting is very active, so I get a good mix of the two.
Do you worry about your appearance?
I'm not too fussed about my hair but I'm a bit self-conscious about my beer gut.
Would you ever consider cosmetic surgery?
No, I'm vain enough to believe I'm perfect as I am.
Do you eat a balanced diet?
Yes, except for the seven to eight cups of coffee a day. On a typical day I'd have a smoothie for breakfast, RTÉ canteen lunch or a sambo if I'm on the go and a wrap or salad for dinner.
Ever tried any faddy diets?
I keep a two-litre bottle of water on my desk and try my best to get through it every day.
What stresses you?
Answering questions on my health and fitness.
What's your attitude towards exercise?
It gives me energy and makes me feel great. I just wish it wasn't so much hard work.
Patricia Weston recommends:
If you'd like to up the tempo in your fitness regime then just incorporate more running. Here are a few tips to run your way to a fitter, slimmer body:
Warm up your muscles before you begin by walking for up to 10 minutes or cycling on an exercise bike.
Always cool down to get your heart rate back down by walking or cycling gently for 10 to 15 minutes. And stretch out the muscles you worked for up to 40 seconds.
Over a six- to eight-week period you can build up to 30 minutes of continual light running by gradually incorporating runs into your walking programme.
Aim to walk for 30 minutes three to four times per week, then add in three minutes of running the first week, up to six minutes by the end of the second week, 10 minutes by week three etc, until you're running for 30 minutes without walking the sixth or eighth week.
Drink plenty of water while you exercise and don't run if you're feeling over-tired, dizzy or ill and don't forget to incorporate rest days in between your walking/running days.
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.