Happy and Healthy!

Health Living & Wellbeing Catches Up With Everyone’s ‘Favourite’ Gay Byrne May 2005
Gay Byrne has launched the first Flora pro.activ Cholesterol Awareness Week which will take place from Monday 25th April to Saturday 30th April. The objective of the week is to encourage people all over the country who may be at risk of developing heart disease to take a test and know their cholesterol numbers. Ireland has one of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease in Europe. In 2003 11,000 people died from coronary heart disease, stroke or other diseases of the circulatory system accounting for 39% of all deaths, ahead of cancer which accounted for 26% of all deaths in 2003. Deaths from heart attack in Ireland remain high at 176 per 100,000 population compared to the EU average of 108 and Ireland is still above the EU average for premature deaths from cardiovascular disease. However for many people heart disease can be prevented. A healthy diet, being physically active, and not smoking are all positive steps to a healthy heart. One of the best ways to avoid heart disease is to maintain healthy cholesterol levels which can be done by making simple lifestyle changes.
We spoke with the great man himself.
I believe that your own cholesterol level is 5.1mmol/l which is extremely healthy so you obviously look after yourself?
I wouldn’t like to put myself down as a health control freak because I’ve never had to think about it - I’m reasonable, and I think that people like me who have enjoyed robust, good health all their lives never tend to think about their health, where as those with chronic bad health tend to think about it all the time. Apart from one minor surgical setback about 5 years ago, I have been reasonably healthy all my life. I presume this is from the good genes handed down to me. I also moved to Howth 40 years ago, and I go for a walk and climb the hill every day - that keeps me fairly fit. I’m convinced moving to Howth all those years ago actually saved my life! We had lived on Elgin Road in Dublin 4 and I doubt if we had stayed there that I would be so keen to walk everywhere as I am now. I know every single corner of Howth, every bypass and byway and enjoy it tremendously.

You have been on our TV screens for most of your adult life. Looking trim is an advantage in front of the camera – have you ever in your life had to diet?
I’ve actually never consciously dieted in my life, or taken any sleeping pills, or any pills at all, except maybe a nurofen for a bad hangover! My wife and I believe in a varied diet without thinking too much about it. We are also good fish eaters, and there are 5 or 6 outlets in Howth where you can buy fresh fish straight off the trailers.
I’ve also stopped eating butter, except on special occasions or when we’re out and I don’t have much of a sweet tooth really - if I never saw another dessert trolley it wouldn’t worry me!

Regular checks are very important with your doctor as you get older. How often would you see yours?
Well I usually only go to the doctor twice a year unless something is wrong of course. I don’t like to trouble him too much - once everything is checked out and given the all clear, I’m perfectly happy for another year.

We read a recent quote of yours where you stated that you get quite tetchy if you don’t exercise. With most people it usually is the opposite!
Yes, if I find myself incarcerated for two or three days for whatever reason, and I can’t go out for a walk, I do feel constrained and bad tempered. I am reasonably fit for a man of my age, not a fitness freak by any means, but I am able to walk for three hours no bother, and go out on the bike for 30 miles.

We also hear that you’re a fan of yoga too?
I use yoga for stretching exercises, to stay nimble and lithe. I hope I can still put on my socks standing on one foot in years to come as I can now. Yoga is nothing more than stretching exercises.

Lots of people find the prospect of retirement quite daunting when it happens to them – you certainly haven’t retired but you have scaled back considerably. What tips would you give someone that has retired or is contemplating the prospect of retirement?
Well it’s too late if you’ve already retired. I know a man who walks his dog on the pier in Howth, he’s only about 55, very vigorous and sharp, and he has just retired. He told me he misses his job desperately every day. I feel such a huge sense of sadness for him because I realize he failed to prepare for retirement, and he has no other interest in life except for the job. He plays a bit of golf, walks the dog and that’s about it. You need to have an abiding interest in something, and not just gol f- if you play golf every day for three weeks you will get very bored! You need to have something to occupy your mind when you retire or you’ll just feel dismal.

Obviously being happy is an intrinsic part of maintaining a healthy mind and body? Do you have any hobbies that we don’t know about that help you to relax and chill out?
I like to walk, cycle, motorcycle, drive, read, listen to music, and do a little bit of photography…

And you’ve recently become a grandfather too? I bet that keeps you fit!
Yes, my grandchild is with us this week, so the entire schedule is thrown off course, the house is in turmoil! This tiny bundle of 7 months is ruining our lives! But of course his granny is in seventh heaven looking after him.

Is there a typical day for you? For example what time do you usually get up and and go to bed at?
My wife has been an early morning person all her life, she likes to get up at 6am and I normally get up at 7am. I had 40 years getting up at 6am and leaving the house at ten to 7 to get into Montrose. I still get up early but no day is the same now, life is a series of interruptions.

Do you prefer that?
No actually, I preferred the more regimented mode that I had - I knew where I was every minute of every day, I found that more fulfilling in a way.

Having a happy and healthy life is what everyone strives for – any bit of advice for all our readers out there?
I’m always a believer in the old maxim that when men start planning their future, God smiles!