Go girl: GIY’s Karen O’Donohoe on what fuels her day
WHEN Karen O’Donohoe tore her Achilles tendon last year it had an immediate effect on her choice of footwear and her identity. “I gave up my beloved Converse — it was like letting go of the last bit of my youth. I’ve now got some really cool, some more supportive Nike ones,” says the Grow, Eat, Cook presenter.
It seems doubly unfair that the accident happened during the first day of filming the new series when she was wearing a sensible pair of wellies — “I was running to get a cloth”.
In a moment, her fast-forward life came to a standstill. “I couldn’t do anything… my fitness dropped, I put on a bit of weight. But, mentally, not to be able to march out the cliffs or the beach and get a bit of oomph going was really hard.”
Recovery was slow but “for once I did what I was told”, says the mum of two (Dylan, nine and Saoirse, six) who lives in Ladysbridge, Co Cork.
“The surgeon, the consultant and physiotherapist — I really followed their advice. I wouldn’t say I’m the easiest of patients. But I was really good with my exercises.”
Though her footwear may have changed one thing remains a constant — red lipstick. “It’s my superhero power,” she says.
I have learned finally to really look after myself so I’m feeling good. I’ve started a pedometer challenge and that has made a massive difference. Once the kids are in bed I’ll literally dance or mooch around the kitchen or hop on the treadmill. I have to get to the 10,000 steps. I go swimming with the kids every week. After that, it’s about scheduling in a gym class at Goldstone Fitness in Waterford. I go twice a week.
I don’t reward or punish myself with food. I value it as part of my health and wellbeing. I ditched cereal and toast in the morning for a big bowl of kale and spinach with two poached eggs and I’m fuller for longer. Also, it means I make better food choices throughout the day.
I don’t do guilt and I don’t do its cousin shame, they are two useless emotions that drag you down. I definitely do pleasure.
What would keep you awake at night?
I have a busy and at times a stressful life and I drink too much coffee but funnily enough, those things don’t keep me awake. What would is if I get an idea or a notion.
Making a list. Going for a walk or going out and having a boogie or sometimes just phoning up anyone of my amazingly brilliant friends and having a good old rant and ultimately a laugh — then you just crack on with anything. I have amazing friends.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
I would not be here if it was not for my friends and I would love to throw an almighty kickass fun, brilliant house party.
Citrus — grapefruit, lemon anything with a zing.
I have learned not to go by appearances. Are there days when I would love to photoshop myself? Absolutely. Then I ask: What brain worm got into my head to tell me that?
Tears come easily. Sometimes I’m struck by the most mundane of moments with my children — and by my love and awe of them. I’m a bit of an old softie.
Dishonesty. And apathy. People who are sitting around either blaming others or waiting for somebody else to sort it out just drives me mental.
My time management skills could definitely be improved. I have very high standards of myself and other people and if you hurt those I care about then I’m very unforgiving. I need to relax that a little bit.
Not in the formal, traditional religious way. However, I fully recognise that there is a power greater than myself.
Ridiculously small things. Recently, I was on the train to Dublin and there were two men sitting at the table next to me who didn’t know each other. The tea/coffee trolley came along, but one of the men didn’t have cash and the card machine wasn’t working. And so, in a lovely but slightly awkward Irishman way, the other man said, ‘I’ll get that for you’. It put me in a bubble of joy — a simple act of kindness.
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