Soprano Cara O'Sullivan tells Patricia Westonshe finds the gym boring but is quite fit from cliff walking as well as gyrating and singing on stage
Are you a fitness fanatic?
No, I'm not a fitness freak at all; I'm a lazy oul' cow. I do some exercise though because I have serious lower back problems. I don't go to the gym. I used to go and I just found it enormously boring. It does nothing for me.
What exercise do you do?
I love swimming and walking. I'm intermittent with exercise. It's a case of "when the mood takes me". I have a mobile home in Co Waterford and I love to go cliff walking, which is quite strenuous. I do that twice a week at least.
Would you consider yourself fit?
My work is very physical. I have to throw myself around the stage and be very active, gyrating and singing, so I'd say I am quite fit even though I'm a big girl, God bless me.
Tell us about your lower back injury.
I stepped into a pothole on the beach and I dislocated my sacroiliac joint and I had two bulging discs. I was in bed for several weeks. I couldn't move. I had acupuncture - Gary Murphy came to my house every day until the pain went down - and I had physiotherapy as well. It was the most debilitating thing that ever happened to me. I was in bed for so long I couldn't wash my hair. I was like the wild woman of Borneo.
How do you treat your back injury now?
I do lots of stretching before I sing and in the morning and I work on a ballet bar. Very occasionally I get a twinge, so I have to be very careful. I get out of bed very carefully. Also, I have strong abdominal muscles from the singing, so that helps.
Are you happy with your appearance?
I was thin years ago and as I got older I came to accept and enjoy the way I am. I'm a big, tall girl and I love dressing up. I'm proud of my body shape. Years ago I would try to cover up because I was mortified with my large breasts but now I celebrate my body and I stick my chest out, and to hell with it.
Soprano Cara O'Sullivan joins the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra for a Christmas lunchtime concert on Wednesday, December 20th at the National Concert Hall at 1.05pm. Tickets cost €10, tel: 01- 4170000 or visit: www.nch.ie
Patricia Weston's exercise prescription:
This stretching routine will help alleviate back pain Use an exercise mat in a warm room to perform these stretches. Sit on the mat with your legs crossed, your back straight and stretch your arms up towards the ceiling.
Cross your arms over your chest, take a deep breath and twist your torso to the right and breathe out. Repeat this slowly for four counts on each side.
Bend forward as far as you can without causing any discomfort and stretch your arms and shoulders forward, aiming to touch the floor with your forehead. Hold and breathe deeply.
Sit up with your back straight and your hands clasped behind your back. Tilt your pelvis as you raise your arms and slowly bend forward. Tuck your chin into your chest as you bend forward, lifting your arms as you bend as far as is comfortable.
Lie flat, breathe deeply and raise your arms out to shoulder level and keep your legs hip distance apart.
pweston@eircom.net
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.