The shape I’m in: Laura Woods, TV presenter

LAURA WOODS may well be one of Ireland’s most familiar TV presenters, but she says motherhood is her “best role to date”.

Married to architect Mark Arigho, they have two boys Ben, 4, and Alex, 2. She is keenly aware that small children need structure and routine to thrive. And so when TV3 offered the 38-year-old a full-time job as a presenter on its weekend breakfast programme, she immediately said yes.

“I was delighted to accept because my son is starting school next week, so the goal posts have changed.

"There needs to be a structure in my home life and this gives me that as well as working with a great team on a very interesting show with a variety of topics I’d have a wide interest in. I feel very lucky at the moment.”

Working from Wednesday to Sunday, it’ll mean some juggling with childcare. But help, and plenty of it, is on hand.

“We have eager grandparents, childminders, creches and my husband and me. Between all of them, they will be well looked after.”

n Laura Woods is a roving reporter on TV3’s new Saturday AM and Sunday AM, which starts tomorrow.

What shape are you in?

At the moment I am in reasonably OK shape. I completed the mini marathon in June. I was delighted to cross the finish line.

Of course, all of the fitness and training fell by the wayside when I went on my family holiday in July. So I’m slowly getting back into a routine now.

My weight would never really fluctuate too much, but I know an extra four or five pounds makes all the difference when you are only 5ft 3ins.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

Making a lot of food from scratch and baking a lot of healthy treats. I became more health conscious when the children came on the scene and certainly when they started eating the same food as us. I also bake protein bars and yoghurt porridge bread to keep us all going throughout the week.

What are your guiltiest pleasures?

Chocolate. When I’m feeling blue, when I’m feeling under the weather, when I’m feeling stressed, it’s what I reach for.

That’s why planning ahead for those slightly stressful moments, is key to keeping my overall wellbeing and weight in check.

What would keep you awake at night?

Our sleep has been very disrupted because of the children — so a full eight or seven hours’ sleep is a bit of luxury these days. Also, if I have a coffee any time after lunchtime I will find it difficult to get to sleep.

How do you relax?

Reading, walking, running and swimming.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Close friends, sharing a couple of bottles of wine, a nice meal and some baby-free chat.

What’s your favourite smell?

I love the citrus scent from Roger and Gallet. But the smell I adore is my mum’s linen press — it just brings me back to being a child.

And, once my babies have had their baths and are in their clean pyjamas, I absolutely love the smell of their soft skin before I put them down.

What would you like to change about your appearance?

Of course, there are things I’d like to tweak and certainly the ageing process is not one I’m a huge fan of. But there is nothing that I can do or change about it other than try and look after myself as best as I can in the limited hours that I have free.

One thing that I’ve always wanted to be is taller — anything upwards from 5ft 6in would be great.

When is the last time you cried?

A couple of months ago. It was through sheer exhaustion after a few days of little sleep.

What traits do you least like in others?

People who are mean about other people. Since having children, I see everybody as a little boy or a little girl. Also, bad manners.

What traits do you least like about yourself?

I’m impatient. I think I have gotten a little bit better since the kids came along because you have to be patient when you are waiting for little hands to tie laces.

I’m quite rash in my decision making, too. If we are going shopping, I don’t spend hours pondering.

But sometimes it would be more beneficial to take a step back — certainly for the bigger decisions in life.

Do you pray?

I do, with my children at bedtime.

What would cheer up your day?

I’m easily cheered up. Buy me some chocolate, Give me flowers. Ring me out of the blue. Or if my friends arrange coffee at the weekend.