Chef Derry Clarke tells Patricia Weston that despite being surrounded by food, his job involves a lot of activity - lifting, moving and sweating
Do you take any exercise?
Yes, I do. I used to go to the gym but I stopped because I got so bored. I found myself spending a half an hour on a bike and going nowhere.
I bought a treadmill for my home and I go on that twice a week for a half an hour so I'm not completely lazy. I also do a lot more exercise during the summer. I go sailing and I walk along the hills.
My job is pretty active and involves a lot of lifting and moving and a lot of sweating, which they say is good for you!
Have you any plans to increase your fitness level in the future?
My doctor is always telling me that exercise is good for me and I should do more, so I'm planning on getting a pushbike so I can cycle everywhere rather than take the car.
What's your food vice?
I used to drink lots of coffee and it made me very hyper. Now I try to drink only two cups a day and I drink lots of water. I like sugar though and take two spoons in tea and coffee. I also enjoy alcohol, especially red wine.
Do you smoke?
I smoke 20 cigarettes a day. I gave them up for a year and a half and I put on loads of weight.
I was eating all sorts of bad things like crisps.
I saw a photograph of myself on the beach on holidays two or three years ago and I looked really fat so I decided to lose the weight.
I thought if I didn't die of smoking, I'd die of obesity.
I will have to try to give up the cigarettes soon though; I'm going to have to because there's nowhere to smoke anymore and my doctor is giving me a hard time about it.
Did you go on a diet?
I didn't go on a mad diet or anything, I cut down on foods gradually and lost three stone and kept it off. I went down four jean sizes and I'm no longer plumpo now!
Patricia Weston recommends:
Here are some handy tips from Derry on how to shed those unwanted pounds:
Don't diet; just eliminate bad foods little by little.
Eat plenty of oily fish such as mackerel.
Make your salads interesting by adding croutons baked in the oven rather than fried and olive oil and Parma ham.
Avoid fried food and rich creamy and buttery sauces.
Include some fruit and vegetables in your diet.
Drink lots of water and cut down on caffeine.
Limit your intake of carbohydrates such as white bread and potatoes.
Take at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise such as running on the treadmill, walking, swimming or cycling three times a week.
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.