1. Up and at it – what is your morning routine?
I always start the day with a cup of black tea – brought to me by my husband, John. I check my emails and then it’s either up, shower, make-up and out the door – fast, if I’m working – or a wander around the garden in my dressing gown and wellies. Unfortunately, if I’m on an early flight, that can be 4am. Luckily, we live about 20 minutes from Heathrow. John and I have very different schedules, so really only eat breakfast together at weekends.
2. What might you eat in a typical working day for...
Breakfast? Breakfast is usually eggs with spinach or asparagus and a red apple or a pear. I'll also have lots of water and a black coffee. Sometimes I have cottage cheese with seeds and the apple or pear, but only when I can find my favourite cottage cheese.
Lunch? I hate sandwiches, but, unfortunately, if I’m working, that is what is provided. If I’m really organised, I will take my own lunch which can vary between leftover dinner or a piece of salmon or chicken with vegetables. In winter, I adore soup and generally make my own.
Evening meal? Some form of protein and lots of veg. I recently bought a steamer which times the different sections, so you can put it all on, go away, and it is all ready at the same time. It has changed my life, as I was forever boiling pots dry.
3. Is nutrition important to you?
In November, 2013, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and really struggled with the side effects of the treatment. I was given lots of nutritional advice to help: a gluten-free diet was suggested for the joint pain and I was advised to avoid dairy for some other issues. I’m not sure how much they helped, but it was good to focus on what I was eating.
4. Best meal ever?
On our honeymoon in Venice, my husband arranged a special night out – we went on a speedboat to the island of Torcello where we had dinner at Locanda Cipriani. Gorgeous chicken with home-grown vegetables, herbs and of course Limoncello to finish. It was magical, especially with the boat ride back at full speed in the dark.
5. Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Anything sweet.
6. Have you ever been on a diet?
If so, how did it go? I’ve tried loads of diets over the years. That all changed when I met my nutritionist who worked out what I personally need to do to stay healthy. The programme is called Metabolic Balance and it does what it claims.
7. Do you take health supplements?
Vitamin D3, 2000ui per day, as recommended by my oncologist.
8. How do you relax?
I absolutely adore reading – I read everywhere and even enjoy travelling on the London Underground as it gives me uninterrupted reading time. I have been known to miss my stop.
9. Teetotal or tipple?
Bit of both really. As I have got older – I will be 60 in September – I find that I don’t tolerate alcohol so well. I tend to avoid it in generally unless we are out with friends. Even then, it's two glasses of white wine at the most.
10. Stairs or lift?
Stairs. unless I am carrying something heavy or pushing my grand-daughter’s buggy.
11. Do you have a daily exercise regime?
Oh, I could always do more. I tend to be very sporadic, but my favourite exercise is reformer Pilates and when I do manage three classes a week, I really feel the difference. My great friend, the BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, recently did the couch-to-5k challenge and shamed us all. I am determined to do it this autumn. I am also a big gardener and that exercises muscles you didn’t know you had.
12. Best tip for everyday fitness?
Keep moving and do everything at a brisk pace.
13. On a scale of one to 10, how fit do you think you are and how fit would you like to be?
I’m about a five but would like to be eight or nine. Two days after I left the BBC in April I fell and broke my wrist badly and it is still not fully healed. It stopped me doing my Pilates.
14. Have you tried, or would you try, alternative therapy?
I have had acupuncture which I thoroughly enjoyed and it was very effective for a shoulder problem. I’m open to alternative therapy; however, not at the exclusion of conventional treatments. During my cancer treatment lots of well-meaning people advised me to give up my treatment in favour of alternatives. For me, that was not an option.
15. Were school sports happy times or do you have a memory you would rather forget?
I loved school sports, especially the team spirit they cultivated. I was the first XI hockey team goalkeeper for Regent House in Newtownards. I am a terribly slow swimmer, though, and no-one really wanted me on their relay team.
16. Did you ever have a health epiphany which made you change your lifestyle?
There is a lot of heart disease and autoimmune issues in my family and then my breast cancer. They do make me think about my health and that there is always room for healthy lifestyle improvement.
17. Best health/lifestyle advice you were ever given and would pass on to others?
My friends, who have all taken up running in later life, say keep running – they are not only fitter and happier, but also look fabulous. I guess my advice would be, it's never too late to start.
18. Who inspires you or who would you try to emulate in terms of fitness/attitude to life?
I remember watching the amazing success of Mary Peters when I was young and even today she is encouraging young people in Northern Ireland in sport. That is so fantastic.
19. What time do you normally get to bed and do you get enough sleep?
I’m a bit of an early bird to bed and prefer to be in bed at 10pm with my book. If I can get eight hours, uninterrupted, I can face anything.
20. Would you say you have a healthy attitude towards your own mortality?
As I get older, I am certainly more aware of my mortality and that of family and close friends. It is not something I fixate on, as I enjoy my life every day. I now have two little grandchildren and hopefully will be around for a long time to spoil them.
:: Maxine Mawhinney will be one of the speakers at TEDx Stormont Women in Belfast in November. For full details and to book tickets see tedxstormont.com
