Health Scan Lifestyle Q & A

Nora Owen, former minister, presenter of TV3's MidWeek

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?

It depends. I would say I have an active lifestyle, but I wouldn’t call it overly healthy.

How often do you exercise?

Not often. I’ll take a run at it for a while and walk every day, but then I’ll get caught up in something. I’m exercising by just being busy. I have two grandchildren and if I’m minding them, I’m on my feet or I’d take them out for a walk, running around the garden or digging in the sandpit.

Do you get your five a day?

Not every day, I’ll be honest. But I would certainly have two a day regularly – carrots, broccoli or turnip. I cook dinner every evening for myself and my husband. I’m good on mandarin oranges and apples, but not so good on full oranges because they take too much time to eat.

Do you worry?

I’m not a big worrier. I get anxious if I’ve got a number of things to do and I’m running late, but I’ve reached an age now where I’m sort of semi-retired. I’d worry if one of my children or grandchildren weren’t well. But I try not to worry because it doesn’t really do you any good.

What do you do to relax?

What I love most is sitting down with a few friends and having a meal. I watch TV – it would be current affairs and programmes like Have I Got News for Youbut also Desperate Housewives, my guilty pleasure, and costume dramas.

What’s your unhealthiest habit?

Snacking while watching TV – a packet of crisps or a cup of tea with a biscuit. I carry too much weight, which I put on when I was in politics, particularly the six months after I left. It’s a very difficult time because you’re at a bit of a loose end. I would be an energetic person rather than an exercising person. People always say, where do you get the energy – if I’m doing something, I really throw myself into it and that’s kind of healthy too.

In conversation with JOANNE HUNT

In conversation with