RTÉ presenter Derek Mooney: Derek Mooney says he changed his life about six weeks ago when he started walking from the city centre to RTÉ every day and cut out chips, crisps and other junk food. A cholesterol test result of 6.2 got him thinking about his health and he does not intend to throw away all his good work at Christmas.
“I thought ‘I don’t want to have a stroke’ and I have changed my diet completely. I used to have up to six cups of coffee a day now I have two a week.
I cook, so on Christmas Day I will cook a turkey crown for a few friends. I have also made a Christmas cake and someone has given me a plum pudding.”
He says people who think they are too unfit for exercise should start with small steps and he believes Christmas Day is an ideal day for a stroll. “I must say hello to 100 people on my walk from Stephen’s Green to RTÉ. It’s really enjoyable”.
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan: Mary Coughlan has lost three stone since undertaking a serious fitness regime almost three years ago with the help of personal trainer Enda Coyle.
“We will be out early on Stephen’s Day and I will do a seven- or eight-mile run,” she says.
“Christmas is a time for celebration and nobody wants to be draconian but I don’t eat chocolates or cakes now so I won’t miss them.” She will be doing dinner for the family with turkey, plum pudding and traditional goodies.
“I train twice a week and at Christmas I will have more time. To be honest it is a stress buster.”
Celia Holman Lee: Model agency boss Celia Holman Lee says moderation will be her motto this year.
“I took up weights last year and after all that pain I won’t be doing the dog on it this year.
“I will have a bit of plum pudding but I won’t eat half the pudding as I would have done last year.
“I don’t want to be walking the roads feeling depressed in February because nothing fits and I don’t want to become a big fat slob so I will eat everything but in moderation. I will even have chocolate but it will be dark chocolate.”