Last updated at 10:40, Thursday, 21 February 2013

IN our weekly Body Talk column, we ask some leading questions to find out more about your daily fitness and diet routines. SARAH RITCH, 29, from Walney, a pole dance instructor with Cumbria Pole Art, shares her routine

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Describe what you would eat in an average day.

After the customary gorge over Christmas and new year, in the past few weeks I have cleaned up my diet a lot. I have porridge every morning and eat little and often, meals of meat and vegetables and brown rice. That’s an average week day, but when the weekend hits I always allow myself to have a treat day which usually consists of sweets, pizza and ice-cream.

What are your favourite foods and beverages?

I love Mexican. The flavours are so strong, I think Mexican food is a real treat for the senses. And anything sweet, I do have a sweet tooth. Beverages, I love wine and cocktails.

Is there anything you won’t eat or drink?

Hmm... I don’t like anything where you can physically see the fat content in the food you’re about to eat, like pork pies. It makes me feel queasy. There’s absolutely no point in giving me bacon, as much as I like it. The circle meat part is all I eat, the rest is wasted on me.

Do you have any food or drink recommendations?

I see food and drink as a great way to socialise or as a treat to yourself, but the other 90 per cent of the time I see it as fuel for the machine that is your body. There is no point eating a meal full of carbs and energy before going to bed or relaxing on the sofa. It’s no mystery those calories are going to go somewhere if not burned off. Likewise, I always advise my students to have a good meal before coming to lessons. You can’t ask your body to work when there’s no fuel inside to power it. Pole definitely encourages a healthy diet. If you want to get better at it, you have to eat right.

Do you take supplements?

After training sessions I have whey protein shakes to help my muscles repair. Pole is very tough on your body. I’ve also recently started taking a multi-vitamin and omega 3 capsule every day.

How much sleep do you need?

More than I’m getting! I do have a terrible habit of not allowing my brain to switch off when I go to bed. With lessons finishing late most evenings I can find it difficult to stop thinking about everything. I’m working on it. Ideally though I like to get eight hours a night.

Do you catnap?

Occasionally. If I haven’t slept well the night before, I will grab a quick 40 minutes. It does seem to give me a little more energy for the rest of the day.

How do you keep fit?

Pole! That’s all I do. It’s a cardio and weights workout combined, works every muscle in the body and it’s so much fun, so I don’t find that I need to do anything else. I do also walk everywhere. Even though I can drive I prefer to walk and listen to music. I find it relaxing and it gives me a little bit of time to myself.

How do you relax?

I read a lot. I’m not the biggest fan of TV which my partner loves because it means he gets sole control of the remote and the sports channels. I will watch the odd programme but usually I would rather relax with a good book.

Do you have any bad habits?

Rose wine! But like I said, I think it’s important to treat yourself. It allows you to give yourself some guilt free time to enjoy whatever it is you love and afterwards you can return to a healthy diet with a renewed enthusiasm for making the most of it. I love my treats but I equally love eating healthy. I couldn’t do either all the time.

What would you like to change about your diet or the way that you take exercise?

Overall, I’d say nothing, I’m pretty happy. If, or when, I ever feel there is something I’m not happy with I’ll change it. I think one of the most detrimental things you can do is beat yourself up about something you should or shouldn’t be doing. It’s not good for your self-esteem. Either don’t moan about it and put that energy into working to change it or just make the decision to accept and be happy with it.

First published at 16:30, Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk