‘I can’t be the only woman who feels like this’: Cork woman takes on 40-day health challenge

“It can be an easy option to blame hormones for all weight gain, or to skip exercise because of a busy lifestyle, but at the end of the day, it’s up to me to make the right choices.”

So says 52-year-old Cork businesswoman Caroline Murphy, who is one of the challengers in the recently-launched 40-Day Health Challenge.

Supported by health experts including personal trainer, Karl Henry; clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy, dietitian Sophie Pratt, and GP Dr Sumi Dunne, the challenge is designed to motivate participants to focus on improving their physical health, mental wellbeing, and nutrition over 40 days.

Mum-of-four Caroline runs West Cork Eggs with her husband Batt and said she was motivated to get involved in the challenge for one simple reason.

“I’m just not happy with how I look or feel physically any more, and I’m ready to admit that I can’t make consistent changes on my own.

“We have a busy house, our children are aged 22, 20, 16 and 14, and we run our own business as well as a farm, so things can be hectic. I could be doing everything from farming to administration to delivering eggs to Castletownbere and I also run a second business, Caroline Murphy Coaching.

“But if I’m honest, it can sometimes be handy to hide behind the business so I don’t have to get out for a walk, or to put the extra weight all down to menopause and hormones. It’s still my choice to have the wine and crisps or not and I have to take responsibility for that,” said Rosscarbery-based Caroline.

She said of late she especially hates clothes shopping and trying on clothes.

“And because of that I don’t like occasions, or going out because I don’t know what to wear and that means I risk losing social contact. I also hate photographs and will always try to hide at the back if I can. Ultimately I don’t want to feel in my body, how I feel right now,” she said.

Until she turned 50, Caroline had always been lucky in that she could eat what she liked and remain fit and strong.

“But I find that’s all changed now, and the post-covid slump hasn’t helped. With work, I end up sitting down quite a lot so I do less steps than I imagine. I train with the Gaelic4Mothers&Others with my club Kilmacabea but I find myself getting out of breath and I’d love to be able to zoom up the pitch like some of the others! I want to be able to climb a mountain if I want!

“In my head, I’m still 26, but my body is telling me different and I feel I’ve lost a lot of ground quickly. In fact, the metabolic test I did with Karl Henry as part of the challenge told me I was aged 61 which was a bit of a shock. I was annoyed I let that happen to myself,” she said.

Karl was less critical, however, and pointed out Caroline’s involvement in the community, describing her as someone who could always be relied on to say ‘yes’ to other people – she just has to do that now for herself.

She admits there’s room to improve in her diet.

“My downfall is that I may not eat until late in the day, and then, by the evening, I’m starving. I’ve also realised, from following the food plan as part of the challenge, is that my portions are quite large, and if it’s on my plate, I’ll eat it, regardless of whether I’m full or not,” she said.

A lot of her food intake is habit, and like many she admits to ‘eating through her emotions’ whether that’s boredom or stress.

“After dinner, we usually have a cup of tea and a biscuit. Naturally, I’m not having the biscuit and I’m getting used to that. It’s about more mindful eating, and not just taking say a handful of nuts because they’re there.”

The timing of the challenge is perfect.

“Every year, I’m going up a few more pounds, and losing some more fitness so it’s time to build new habits, and the support from the experts and the public in general has been amazing.”

She admits to being good at starting projects, but not great at seeing them through.

“I’m better when I’m accountable to others, and not just myself. The accountability of this will really help me, particularly with three areas to focus on: food, mental health and fitness,” she said.

Her ultimate goal over the 40 days?

“It might sound trivial, but I want to go shopping and not dread trying things on, and I want to be able to buy myself a great pair of jeans! I want to be able to get dressed up going out for dinner and feel good about myself.”

Caroline said while primarily she was doing the challenge for herself, if she can inspire others, that will be a benefit. “I can’t be the only woman who feels like this, who wants to look and feel better, and I’m sure my story is the same for many women.

“I can’t believe that I’m 52, and I’m not ready to be written off yet. I’ve so much more yet to do!”

The 40-Day Health Challenge is being delivered by Vision Independent Productions (VIP), the production company behind the RTÉ Operation Transformation series.