1. Up and at it – what is your morning routine?
Being freelance and having my own business now (Bespoke Communications) no two days are the same. Sometimes I’m up and and away before the rest of the family, but otherwise I usually waken at around 7am. While Stephen puts the kettle on, my daughter Evie (14) jumps in the bed until he brings us both a cuppa. I always switch BBC Breakfast on to catch up with what’s been happening and check the phone for emails and texts. Getting the 20 year-old son out of bed can be challenging, but everyone is usually out of the house for school, tech and work by 8.30am.
2. What might you eat in a typical working day for...
Breakfast? I’m not a big breakfast eater – a piece of toast will suffice, but I always have about three cups of tea.
Lunch? Lunch is usually soup, sandwich or, preferably, a salad.
Evening meal? I’m a bit spoiled in that my husband, Stephen, does most (all) of the cooking in our house and he’s really, really good. Not great for the waistline, I know, but every evening there’s something delicious waiting for all the family.
3. Is nutrition important to you?
Eating healthily is important to me. I’ve never been on a diet, but I love to eat fresh produce, loads of vegetables and a lot of fish.
4. Best meal ever?
Again, that’s too difficult to choose – but given that it’s summer and I’ve just eaten it – probably my husband’s dish of barbecued prawn and mushroom, new potatoes and halloumi skewers, served with delicious rocket and tomato salad.
5. Do you have a guilty pleasure?
It has to be wine and crisps.
6. Have you ever been on a diet? If so, how did it go?
No, I haven't been on a diet – I tried to do a 'dry' January though and it nearly killed me.
7. Do you take health supplements?
No.
8. How do you relax?
I love to relax by walking or running on the beach in Portstewart and I wind down by having dinner with family or friends. I also enjoy putting my feet up to Netflix, and did I say I like wine?
9. Teetotal or tipple?
Ahem – see above.
10. Stairs of lift?
It depends what floor I'm aiming to get to – three or more floors equals the lift.
11. Do you have a daily exercise regime?
As we live on the north coast, it would be a crime if we didn’t get out and about and enjoy the long evenings and the gorgeous sunsets. If we can, we try to walk after dinner in the evening – I also try to walk or jog for an hour twice a week.
12. Best tip for everyday fitness?
Just keep it up – make time for it in the diary or it doesn’t happen.
13. On a scale of one to 10, how fit do you think you are and how fit would you like to be?
I'll give myself a five out of 10. I would love to be a stone lighter and super-fit – but, you know what – I don’t lose sleep over it. It’s more about keeping the heart and head healthy than trying to be an athlete.
14. Have you tried, or would you try, alternative therapy?
Yes – I suffer on and off with a bad neck and accupucture has worked really well to relieve pain and improve movement.
15. Were school sports happy times or do you have a memory you would rather forget?
School sports at Dominican College, Portstewart, were the best... I didn’t take them seriously at all and don’t have a competitive bone in my body. We always had a great barbecue and brilliant craic, though. I seem to remember lots of three-legged races and lying in the sun – not quite the Olympics.
16. Did you ever have a health epiphany which made you change your lifestyle?
My business partner and I once took part in a 66-day mindfulness challenge – it was a bit of a focus group for one of my clients who was assessing how effective mindfulness is in business when it comes to improving productivity and alleviating stress. I must say I was sceptical at first, but I really feel it has benefited me greatly. I have struggled with insomnia and anxiety in the past and I really feel mindfulness has helped hugely. I feel a lot less stressed than I used to and not as prone to 'catastrophise' things. When I can, I do a 10-minute session using an app called Headspace and I absolutely love it.
17. Best health/lifestyle advice you were ever given and would pass on to others?
It’s not rocket science – drink lots of water and get eight hours sleep.
18. Who inspires you or who would you try to emulate in terms of fitness / attitude to life?
I have a very good friend, Simone, who is just a tonic to be around. She’s a gorgeous, gregarious, fit mum to four kids and her zest for life and sense of fun is infectious. I so admire her positive attitude.
19. What time do you normally get to bed and do you get enough sleep?
I definitely can’t cope without my sleep and unless I’m on a night out, I’m always asleep by 11.30pm.
20. Would you say you have a healthy attitude towards your own mortality?
Three years ago I lost my dad to dementia at the age of 67. His illness and death definitely changed the way I live my life. Now I just feel grateful every day for what I have and I try to live in the moment and enjoy life a lot more than I used to. My dad was a hugely important and influential figure in my life, but he worked so very hard and following his diagnosis at the age of 63 he never got to enjoy his retirement or the fruits of his labour. It definitely puts things into perspective. Work isn’t everything. Life is for enjoying while you can.
