Health Scan: Lifestyle Q&A

Dublin Lord Mayor, Andrew Montague

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?

Yes, I eat well, I get regular exercise, I don’t smoke, I rarely drink, so I’d say I have a pretty healthy lifestyle.

How often do you exercise?

I’d say at least four to five times a week. I go walking in the evenings in Stephen’s Green or around the beautiful Georgian squares in the city centre. I try and get a swim in once a week and a bit of cycling if I can. I’d often use one of the Dublin Bikes getting around. When I was living in Ballymun, it was a good half an hour out and back, but now that I’m living in the Mansion House, I’m not cycling as far as I used to. There’s a new cycling club being formed by a coffee shop on Dawson Street, so I’m hoping to go out on a few cycles with them.

Do you get your five a day?

Yes I would. I’d often have porridge for breakfast with fruit in it. I’d make myself a sandwich for lunch and for dinner I’d have salads pretty regularly. I’m a big fan of Jamie Oliver and his salads, so I’d make one of those or myself and my partner Sinéad would cook together.

Do you worry?

A bit, but I don’t think I worry too much. More than worrying, I would get very enthusiastic about things. I’d be planning the next day or thinking ahead. I can get caught up in thinking ahead and sometimes that might disturb the amount of sleep I get.

What do you do to relax?

Walking is probably the best thing, especially when I go out with Sinéad. That’s something I like, and just being with friends and family. Sunday dinner together with our families is still a big feature.

What’s your unhealthiest habit?

Waking up in the middle of the night planning and thinking about things, so I suppose I’m not sleeping as wellas I’d like to. I was at three functions last night and I had a little bit of finger food at each of them, but I’m doing fine as long as I get my exercise.