Rosanna Davison: The Shape I’m In

IT’S not unusual for top Irish model Rosanna Davison to wake up in the morning to find two males in her bed — her husband Wesley Quirke and their pet dog Ted.

Aged three, Ted is a Pomeranian— “small and fluffy and exciteable” — and insists on sleeping at the end of the bed every night. “He cries if you try to leave him down stairs,” says the former Miss World.

“Sometimes I wake up and if it’s a chilly morning he’ll have curled himself around my head or he’ll have curled into me so that I’m spooning him.”

The couple have a second dog, eight-month-old Leo, also a Pomeranian but he has to sleep down stairs. “His bladder isn’t reliable enough to have him upstairs.”

Aged 30, she lives in Cabinteely, Co Dublin, just 12 minutes’ drive from her parents. “Most Sundays when I’m not away we spend the afternoon at their place.”

* Rosanna Davison recently launched Ireland’s first gluten-free in-store bakery at Scally’s SuperValu, Clonakilty, Co Cork.

What shape are you in?

Earlier this year I got married and that was great motivation for getting into shape. There is no one more focused than a bride, I’m told.

Twice a week I go to a personal trainer at BodyBryne Fitness in Clarendon Street. I do an hour of quite intense weight training with a little bit of cardio. Two or three times a week I go to a Pilates class — I’ve been doing Pilates since I was 18. Then I do running three times a week. I do it mostly for the health benefits. It’s great to feel strong and fit. Also it’s really good for focusing and for mental clarity.

Do you have any health concerns?

No, I am very lucky. I was in hospital once to get my tonsils out when I was four; I got to eat ice cream for a week.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I eat a plant-based diet. I’m a vegan. I try to eat foods as close to their natural state as possible. I eat a lot of raw foods as well, especially in the summer. Three years ago, I started it off as an experiment in college while studying nutrition and I thought, ‘Wow I feel so good on it I’m going to keep it up’.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Once a month my husband and I go to an Indian restaurant, Rasam, in Glasthule. It does great vegan and vegetarian food. I also like Chinese food and dark chocolate — the higher the percentage of cocoa, the less you need to eat to get your chocolate hit.

What would keep you awake at night?

I try not to worry because it doesn’t achieve anything. If I am stressed I find a walk or a jog or simple breathing exercises really help. In the past I used to suffer from anxiety a bit more than I do now. If I worry about anything it’s the health of my family and friends and whether they are okay.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

It would just be my family — parents, two brothers — my husband and my grandmother Maeve, who came on holidays with us last year. They are my favourite people in the world to spend the evening with. We have the best fun together.

What’s your favourite smell?

Being in nature. The smell of freshly cut grass, vanilla and coffee.

What would you change about your appearance?

No one is 100% happy. I’d like to have smaller feet — I’ve size 7. I don’t believe in perfection. I’m happy with what I have. What I appreciate most is my health and the fact that my body works hard for me — it’s healthy and well.

When did you last cry?

I’m very emotional. If I’m watching a sad film I’ll probably cry. I did cry a little bit on my wedding day. But it was at the beginning rather than during the ceremony — before the make-up went on.

What trait do you least like in others?

Rudeness, laziness, people who think they are better than others. I think it’s really important to treat everybody the same.

What trait do you least like in yourself

I can be very impatient. And I’m a perfectionist. When I was finishing up my thesis for a college course last year I pulled all-nighters just to make it perfect. I tend to exhaust myself to get everything done and everything right.

Do you pray?

I’m not religious so I don’t pray to a traditional god but I do feel that there is something out there looking out for us all, that there is an energy.

What would cheer up your day?

When my husband comes home from work. The dogs go crazy with excitement. When he parks, I hold one or both of them up to the window and they can see him get out of the car and come in. I just love it.