Patricia Weston hears how Sheana Keane, presenter of RTÉ's Afternoon Show, thinks the world would be a very boring place without treats of the chocolate variety.
Do you exercise?
I always do something whether it's walking, yoga, swimming or Pilates.
Are you a gym bunny?
No, I have an enormous dislike of gyms, but I have membership to use the swimming pool.
What's your favourite exercise?
I learned to swim this summer and I absolutely love it. Before I learned I couldn't even stick my head under water and was afraid of the sea. In the first month I could only manage to swim half a length before swallowing half the pool, but now I can swim over 20. I even jumped off a pier and swam in the Atlantic Ocean a few weeks ago - a small feat for many, but for me it was a big achievement.
Is there any activity you'd like to try?
I would love to try t'ai chi. One of our subjects on Health Squad tried it and it looks really relaxing. I think stress-free relaxing exercise is very important for the mind and spirit.
Do you eat healthily?
Generally, I'm not obsessed with food, I just cook with fresh ingredients and try to ensure that I eat fruit and veg every day. But you have to allow yourself treats. The world would be a terribly boring place without treats, especially of the chocolate variety.
What are your favourite treats?
Comfort food like shepherd's pie and I love chocolate bring me all you have.
Do you smoke?
No, and I don't understand why intelligent adults do. Cigarettes are pure toxic waste that attack and destroy the body. It upsets me to see people do that to themselves. However, I love a good drink and a great laugh in the pub and as alcohol is supposed to be another toxin, it's one vice or another.
Is there anything about your body you'd change?
Oh yes, the flabby wobbly bits under my arms. They are called bingo arms and they cause me much distress. No matter how much work I put in, they won't go away.
Would you consider cosmetic surgery?
I would liposuction those flabby underarms tomorrow!
What's your view on exercise?
It's essential to life, especially modern life. It makes you feel fantastic about yourself, inside and out, and as a mother it gives you time out for yourself. The key is finding exercise that suits you, as you have to really enjoy it to get the benefits. I shopped around a lot before discovering that swimming and yoga do it for me.
Patricia Weston recommends:
Take 10 minutes out from swimming lengths of the pool and make waves with this water workout to boost fitness and tone and tighten all your muscles:
Exercising in water creates greater resistance so you get a better workout. Jogging under water burns 100 calories more than jogging on land; it's also low impact so there is no risk of injuring joints.
Jog lightly on the spot for one minute, then work up to raising your knees towards your chest with knee raises for a further 60 seconds.
Bring your arms in and combine the raises with bicep curls to increase intensity for a further two minutes.
Jog on the spot again and combine with arm scoops; stretch your arms out to the sides and scoop the water in towards your chest for a minute and a half.
Do knee raises by touching your left knee with your right elbow and vice versa for 90 seconds.
Hold onto the pool rail and do frogs legs for one minute.
Jog lightly for two minutes to cool down.
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.
Consult a physician or qualified healthcare provider before embarking on any exercise regime and stop exercising if you feel nauseous or dizzy.