Health scan: lifestyle Q& A

Sonia O’Sullivan, Olympic medallist

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?

I try to eat healthy food as best I can, and I go for a run most days. I encourage my kids and my husband to be fit and healthy too, so we’re all in it together. When everybody is doing what you hope is the right thing, it makes it a lot easier.

How often do you exercise?

I run most days; the least I would do is go for a walk. You just feel better if you do a bit of exercise, go out and break a sweat – it’s a reason to have a shower! I like to do things early in the morning. It’s time to myself when I can have a think.

Do you get your five a day?

I have fruit most mornings and probably an apple or an orange in the afternoon. Not a day goes by when I don’t have tomatoes. The tomato bowl is rarely empty and, if it is, it means you have to go to the shop. You get into a routine sometimes and stick to vegetables you know the kids will eat, but every now and then, you try to introduce new things.

Do you worry?

I wouldn’t worry or stress too much about stuff. Sometimes, I’d wake up

in the middle of the night, thinking about things I have to do, but I’d just be trying not to forget stuff.

What do you do to relax?

In Australia where I live, I’m quite happy to go down the park, walk the dog and talk to whoever is there. I like to go for a coffee and read the newspaper, a magazine or a good

book – but it would have to be a really good book for me to read in the daytime.

What’s your unhealthiest habit?

I love chocolate, I love cheese – but its not like I’m eating blocks of it! Wine is very big in Australia, but a glass of wine with dinner can become a habit. I decided I wasn’t going to have any alcohol for Lent and I feel quite good now. I feel like it’s making me a bit more healthy than I was. I’m training for the Cork City Marathon on June 6th, so it helps with that.

In conversation with JOANNE HUNT