Health scan lifestyle Q&A

Tracy Piggott, sports presenter, founder of Playing for Life

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?

Yes, I’d say I do. I would have always been into physical activity because I was brought up in a sporting background. I’m qualified as a mat Pilates instructor and I’m doing my exams as a reformer instructor in March. I’m a qualified holistic masseuse too so I’ve always been interested in the physical side of things.

How often do you exercise?

I do reformer Pilates three times a week and then I would walk a lot so I’d say I’d exercise four to five times a week. I do a bit of cycling and a bit of swimming too.

Do you get your five a day?

I probably need to up my fruit. I tend to forget about fruit a bit. I’d be very into fish; I don’t eat much red meat. I like lentils and chickpeas. I’d often just throw everything into a pan and make this mad looking green thing, but I have to say it tastes really nice.

Do you worry?

Yes, I’m quite a worrier. I’m terrible for analysing things and going around in my head. I have a little girl so you worry that she’s doing okay – the same things that most parents worry about. But even before I was a parent, I just would be a natural worrier.

What do you do to relax?

I have two very large, very nice dogs and for me the best time of the day is when I bring them for their walk. I find that totally relaxing. I’d ride out racehorses twice a week. Just being outside, being around trees, in open spaces, I think just watching animals is so relaxing because they are just always in the moment. You could bring them to the same place every day and they react like it’s the first time they’ve been there.

What’s your unhealthiest habit?

Probably worrying. I tend to dwell on things and worry. I’m not really a chocolate or a dessert person but every now and then I have to have peanut butter.

[ playingforlife.ie ]

In conversation with Joanne Hunt