Eddie Hobbs, presenter of RTÉ's Show me the Money, tells Patricia Weston he uses exercise as a remedy for irritability, tiredness and listlessness
Do you exercise?
I play soccer with the Red Bulls in Newbridge which is really a crèche for a bunch of kids who haven't grown up yet. I also go to the gym to cross-country ski and lift weights, and occasionally I practise martial arts, but there are times when I just take a bath, pull the plug and fight the current.
Are you a gym bunny?
I try to use the Kilashee gym a few times a week for about an hour and a half. Plugging the headphones into the TV screens is a great distraction and helps to keep the ageing pins moving while the brain is fed.
What other activities do you enjoy?
I love heading off with my hill walking partner David Beechinor from Cork who keeps up a constant flow of warm stories and anecdotes as we explore the many excellent walking trails around West Cork. It usually ends in a local hostelry next to the fire where all the problems of the world get solved. David's forgotten more about West Cork than most people know about it and is great company.
Are you a healthy eater?
No, not enough by a long shot. Tearing around the place from Billy to Jack and often coming in late doesn't lend itself to really good eating although I try to be as careful as I can without following any particular diet.
What food do you love?
Fresh seafood literally off the boat; monkfish, lemon sole, prawns, scallops you name it - just take off its head and wash its bottom.
Any vices?
I like to drink. Occasionally I get a hangover which is a real sign of over doing it. I don't smoke though.
What's your attitude to exercise?
It's a bit like a fix when my brain stops functioning from overwork. I use exercise as a remedy for irritability, tiredness and listlessness. When this happens I find that dragging myself off to the gym or out in the cold to play football is much better than sleeping or vegetating.
When the brain is tired but the body isn't, they're out of kilter which a good workout fixes and guarantees a great night's sleep.
Patricia Weston recommends:
To energise the body and relax the mind try this 10-minute routine any time of the day:
Starting from a standing position, roll the body down until your hands tip the floor and roll back up slowly. Repeat four times keeping your knees slightly bent.
On the fourth roll down crawl onto all fours. Breathe in and arch your back, rounding out the shoulders, breathe out and tilt your neck back and gently curve your stomach towards the floor. Repeat for four to six breaths.
Tuck your toes into the floor and lift your knees and elbows off the floor. Gently press your heels towards the ground and hold this position for six to eight seconds breathing deeply.
Kneel back down onto the floor, sit back on your heels and stretch out your arms in front of you tucking your head in. Hold this position for up to 10 seconds and relax.
Roll the body back up to a standing position and repeat again four times.
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.