Health Scan: liftstyle Q&A

Dáithi Ó Sé, Rose of Tralee host

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?

I’ve a healthy lifestyle when I want to. Stuff like the Rose of Tralee is absolutely great to keep you in tow – you know lots of people are going to be watching, so you kind of need to slim down.

How often do you exercise?

The preparations start about six to eight weeks before the Rose. You are out walking for about two hours every day. I try to do a brisk walk out to the Poolbeg lighthouse. We were in the US for five weeks where all I ate was steaks, ribs and chicken wings, so I was about a stone up coming home, and that had to all come off. Thankfully I’m after shedding most of it.

Do you get your five a day?

I don’t, to be honest. I wouldn’t be mad about fruit and veg, but I’d try smoothies to trick myself into eating it. I’m very fussy when it comes to veg – it’s spuds and corn and that’s about it.

Do you worry?

I suppose I do. The job I’m in, it can all come at once. I was on live TV six days a week, and then trying to get back to Galway to see friends, and home to Kerry to see family, and that’s the main worry – that it would all fall into place. I feel like when I exercise more, I don’t worry as much. When I’m out walking and minding myself, I’m sleeping better and feeling better.

What do you do to relax?

Watching TV, really, just taking it easy. Myself and my fiancée like going to the cinema and to plays, especially in the winter, but during the summer it’s more walking up mountains and stuff like that.

What’s your unhealthiest habit?

It would probably be Indian food and Toffee Pops. The Indian food will come into play once I’m off the stage at the Rose of Tralee tonight – chicken balti with pilau rice, a big pint of milk, and tea and Toffee Pops after.

In conversation with JOANNE HUNT