Under the microscope
Monty Panesar, 34, Northamptonshire county cricketer and former England bowler, takes our health quiz
CAN YOU RUN UP THE STAIRS?
YES. I’m in Australia playing for Campbelltown-Camden District Club and before I left home in October I had a programme drawn up by a personal trainer to improve my fitness. I work out between four and five times a week for at least two hours. For flexibility, I do yoga twice a week. I’m naturally competitive and the yoga teacher often says: ‘Monty, you’re competing with a stretch.’
GET YOUR FIVE A DAY?
I THINK so. I eat porridge with a piece of fruit for breakfast. After training, I’ll have a protein shake and banana, and then salad with carbs such as pasta. When I have a match, I don’t eat much: a heavy meal prevents you moving on the field.
ANY VICES?
CRISPS. Thai Sweet Chilli Sensations are my favourite. I can eat as many as three or four packets at a time. Since coming to Australia, I’ve stopped. The team nutritionist said I needed something crunchy, so we’ve substituted raw carrots and nuts for crisps.
EVER BEEN DEPRESSED?
YES. I’m sociable and funloving, but a couple of years ago I lost my confidence, felt anxious, paranoid and began overthinking things. I simply did not have the same strength or resilience. I got angry and began distancing myself from everyone. My good friend Greg Matthews [the Australian cricket commentator and former spinner] knew something wasn’t right and arranged for me to meet Peter Gilmour, a sports mentor coach and hypnotherapist. I’ve been seeing him ever since.
POP ANY PILLS?
NOT at the moment. I was brought up with the belief that medication is not good for you and causes side-effects, so initially I had reservations about taking it to help with the depression. I would try it for a couple of days and then stop. Yet as soon as I began taking it regularly my mind calmed down and I was no longer paranoid. It took three to six months to get back to where I needed to be.
TRIED ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES?
IF I HAVE a sore spot, I’ll go for acupuncture. It works for me.
COPE WELL WITH PAIN?
I THINK most sports people tolerate pain well. It’s something you have to deal with.
WORST INJURY?
I HAD keyhole surgery on my left shoulder a year ago to repair wear and tear caused by years of bowling. It had been causing some pain. When I came round after the anaesthetic, I felt as if I had died and come back to life. It was creepy.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?
WHEN I exercise, I generally sleep well. If not, I’ll lie on the couch and watch a movie, but then suddenly it is 7am and the TV is still on.
BIGGEST PHOBIA?
I GET claustrophobic and felt so on the 24hour journey to Australia. I should have taken a sleeping pill.
HEALTH BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
THE Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle. It’s all about living in the moment. I still read chapters of it. I like books by Osho, an Indian philosopher, as well.