Sarah Delamere Hurding, author and psychic tells Patricia Weston she would find it very difficult to give up a life near the sea
Do you exercise?
I take the dogs for a walk on the beach or up Killiney hill. It clears the cobwebs from my head.
Are you a gym bunny?
No,I must renew my membership at Fitzpatrick's Castle hotel and get back to the swimming. I used to swim a lot and won all the certificates and the mile swim etc I'm a regular Mermaid. I love swimming but absolutely hate working out in the gym. I can just about cope with the exercise bike; but I would rather be out in the open air than in among the sweaty bodies.
What's your favourite exercise?
Definitely walks in the fresh air by the sea. They rejuvenate me and I'd find it very difficult to live in a city again. Knowing I can step out the door and go straight to the beach is very important to me. So much so that my partner of 13 years returned to Glasgow and I didn't. The thought of living in the heart of Glasgow made my stomach lurch.
Any exercises you'd like to try?
I need to find exercises to sort out my back twinges and I would love to get back to horse riding.
Are you a healthy eater?
Yes I try to be. At one point I had to watch my cholesterol levels and found that a combination of dark chocolate, cranberry juice, lethicin and no dairy worked really quickly. I definitely stop eating when I am full and always cut the fat off meat.
Would you ever consider cosmetic surgery?
Yes probably, the ageing process isn't easy. I try not to buy into it and don't verbalise my age for this reason. I'm aiming to stay eternally 27 rather than grow old disgracefully. So I guess in theory plastic surgery helps when you need it.
What's your attitude to exercise?
Intense exercise is a pain in the proverbial backside. When I have attempted it in the past it has actually made me feel quite ropey. But gentle aerobic exercise in the fresh air does it for me. I can't be bothered to push through a pain threshold so I will never be Ms Motivator that's for sure.
Patricia Weston recommends:
Here are some Pilates movements to strengthen the muscles of the lower and upper back. Strong back muscles help prevent back strain and improve posture.
The swan dive is an exercise that strengthens the lower back. Lie on the floor on your stomach. Bend your elbows and keep your forearms in contact with the floor, away from your body. Keep your neck straight and look down on the floor, then gently raise your head and shoulders off the mat. Repeat slowly six to eight times.
The spine twist strengthens the erector spinae muscle that runs the length of the spine. Sit up with your knees bent, hip distance apart and contract your abs keeping your back straight. Cross your arms in front of your chest in a Cossack position. Breathe in and turn your torso to the right, breathing out when you turn. Repeat the turn on each side 8 -10 times.
To stretch the back and abdominal muscles kneel on all fours. Breathe in and arch your back, rounding out the shoulders. As you breathe out, tilt your neck back and gently curve your back.
Sit back on your heels, tuck your head in and stretch out your arms in front to stretch the upper back and shoultders.
Sarah's latest book Sarscope, published by Poolbeg, is available in the shops now.
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.
pweston@eircom.net