Paula Mee, nutritionist and presenter on RTÉ's Health Squad, tells Patricia Weston she does have 'those nothing to wear but a tracksuit days'
Do you take regular exercise? Yes, weekly. I used to love swimming but now I tend to focus on aerobics and body core work and conditioning in the gym. I like hill walking and do the odd 10km run too.
On average, I'd exercise two or three times a week, depending on my work and home life schedule.
Would you consider yourself fit? Yes, until I start discussing the issue with others around me; marathon, triathlon and iron-man participants, then I feel about as fit as a marshmallow.
Is your job active? Unfortunately most of it is desk and computer work and although I've been told to get up and stretch a bit before I answer the telephone I sometimes end up with an uncomfortable tightness between my shoulder blades from computer work.
Do you worry about your appearance? Worry - no. I'm resigned to bad-hair days, bags-under-the-eyes days and I've got nothing to wear but my tracksuit days.
Would you ever have cosmetic surgery? If it was a completely pain-free experience, with no risk attached, made a noticeable instant improvement, without cutting, injections, stitches and bruises and didn't cost an arm or a leg - absolutely.
As a nutritionist what would you eat in a typical day? Yesterday I had muesli and omega 3 milk, orange juice, hummus and salad on Ryvita crackers, then I had Marks & Spencer summer fruits and natural yoghurt, salmon steak, baby potatoes, roasted vegetable ratatouille, a skinny latte and four squares of Cadbury's dairy milk chocolate.
What does exercise do for you? It keeps me sane and lifts me when I'm in a rotten mood. I think I need it more mentally to switch off than I do physically.
Patricia Weston recommends:
Ease tension in your upper back and shoulder muscles with this simple stretching sequence. You can do these exercises seated.
Sit up straight, elongate your back and tighten your tummy muscles. Slowly roll your shoulders back for four counts and forward for four counts, repeat twice.
Raise your shoulders up towards the sky, hold then lower towards the floor. Repeat three times.
Move away from the desk or table you are sitting at and bend your torso forward as you clasp your hands behind your back. Hold for 20-30 seconds.
Sit up straight and clasp your hands in front of your chest, round out your upper back and hold for 20-30 seconds.
Raise your right arm up and lean your torso to the side as you lower your left arm towards the floor. Hold for 20-30 seconds and repeat on the opposite side.
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.