Alan Lewis, international rugby referee, tells Patricia Weston he loves activity but despairs at the number of overweight children today
Are you a regular exerciser? Yes, while I have to, as part of my refereeing, it's also something I actually enjoy. My regime involves various types of running and a lot more stretching now than before because I was beginning to get a few niggles, which they say come with old age. I am 41 going on 22.
What's your workout schedule? Monday involves interval running at 70 per cent of max. Firstly I warm up, stretch and then it's full-on activity.
Tuesday I do core work with stretching and weights. Wednesday I do sprinting work. Thursday I head into the body shop with Michael Carswell, my physical therapist, to keep the niggles at bay. He's a legend. Then Friday I rest. Saturday is match day and Sunday I swim with the kids.
What's your day job? I'm an insurance broker.
Are you conscious about how you look? I think it's important to look the part whatever you do, and yes I would take pride in that. It's a statement of who you are.
Do you eat a balanced diet? Yes, my diet is pretty balanced.
What's your food vice? My one weakness is mayonnaise and chips.
Do you suffer from stress? Very little really. I try not to get stressed. A lot of the stress I see is self-inflicted. I've had to learn to say no to a couple of things. My dad dying last November has given me great perspective.
I have worked hard for most of the things I've done and it has got me by. I love my family, my job and my sport and most importantly my friends. Why would you be stressed when you have all those? These are the important things in life, not possessions.
What does exercise mean for you? Exercise is something I will always continue to do. I'd love to do a triathlon before I reach 50. You just can't beat activity, but try telling that to some of the kids of today. I can't get over the number of fat kids these days. It makes me sad.
Patricia Weston recommends:
As Alan discovered, stretching is a very important part of any exercise regime. Here's a handy stretching sequence that can be performed after any workout or as a morning or evening energiser, just make sure your muscles are warm.
• Begin in a standing position and slowly bend forward, reaching your hands towards your toes and tuck your head in. Take a deep breath and as you breathe out slowly straighten up. Repeat four times, reaching your hands down further each time you roll down. This stretches out the back and hamstrings in the legs.
• Standing straight, raise your arms overhead and clasp your hands. Tilt your torso to the right to stretch the obliques at the side of the stomach and repeat on the left side.
• Standing, take a step to the right and bend the right knee, bend forward and touch the floor with your hands to stretch out the left inner thigh. Straighten up your legs but keep your torso bent and walk your hands into the centre, tuck your head in, hold and repeat on the other side.
• Take a step forward, bend the right knee and stretch out the left leg to stretch the hip flexors, repeat on the opposite side.
Patricia Weston is an NCEHS fitness instructor, personal trainer and Pilates teacher.