The life changers
NEW YEAR resolutions are troublesome. As one 12-month period comes to a close and a new year dawns, we all feel as though we should embark on new beginnings. Yet at the same time, we can’t help but remember all of the other promises we made that came to nothing.
But it doesn’t have to be like this. with enough determination and willpower, we can all change our lives for the better. These five individuals did just that in 2011.
LIGHTEN UP
Lee Kutner used to be overweight. In fact, the 28-year-old personal assistant from Shankill in Co Dublin was 50 pounds heavier that she is today.
“I was always overweight,” says Kutner. “When my friends were a size ten, I was a size 14. I went on my first crash diet for my 21st birthday when I went from a size 16 to a size 12, but after that I let it all go. I’m five foot three-and-a-half inches tall, and at my heaviest I weighed 13 stone, 11 pounds.”
Motivated by her love of fashion, Lee decided to change. “I love shopping and fashion,” she says. “I was a size 18 and it was no fun shopping anymore. I never wanted to reach a size 20, as size 18 is the biggest size you’ll find on the high street. I didn’t want to start shopping in specialist stores.”
She worried about the effect the weight might have on her health. Instead of again choosing the latest celebrity-endorsed diet, she opted for Weight Watchers.
“I’ve tried crash diets, including Atkins, in the past,” says Kutner. “But you can’t sustain your weight on a faddy diet like that. They’re fine as short-term solutions, but as soon as you stop the diet the weight goes back on. I wanted a long-term solution to my problem.”
Kutner found it in Weight Watchers. With the help of their weekly weigh-ins, healthy eating plans and focus on exercise, she lost three stone and eight pounds and is now a size 12. Her attitude to food has completely changed.
“I now know that if I’ve been indulgent, I should do a little extra exercise,” she says. “I’m a lot freer with how I eat than I used to be.” Her health has improved. “I have much more energy and sleep a lot better,” she says.
Kutner has hard-won advice for those of you thinking of following her example. Exercise is vital.
“You need to exercise,” she says. “And everyone can find the time if they want to. Thirty minutes, four or five times a week, makes all the difference.”
GLOBE TROTTER
Grace Cunningham and her husband Alan Broderick made 2011 their year of adventure. Since they left their home in Cork city in June, they have travelled to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Australia and are presently working in New Zealand, where they will stay until they return home this time next year.
“Alan is an anaesthetist and he has to work abroad to gain experience and advance his career,” says Cunningham. “We’d both wanted to travel for a long time but had been postponing it. Early in 2010, he applied for a job in New Zealand, and as it started coming together we realised we could combine it with some travelling. Because we are both huge rugby plans, we decided that we would also attend the Rugby World Cup. This was an opportunity we couldn’t turn down.”
The pair have had amazing experiences, including attending the Ireland-Australia match in Eden Park. “The level of support in the stadium that night was overwhelming,” says Cunningham. “It was incredible to feel so proud of being Irish.”
CRAFTY MOVE
Sharon Crandall hopes to defy the recession with her new craft business. This American felt-maker, who has lived in Ireland for the past ten years, opened Ciarraí Creations, in Dingle town, in October. “I didn’t have much choice, to be honest,” says Crandall. “I spent three years on a CE scheme training in textiles and my time in the programme was over. Even though the economy is terrible, I decided to give opening my own business a shot as unemployment wasn’t an option and there aren’t a lot of jobs available in my area.”
Fortunately, Crandall didn’t need huge start-up funds. Rent is her biggest expense and other small costs have been covered by a business loan. “I’ve started on a shoestring,” she says. “People don’t have extra money to spend and consider craft a luxury. I wish I could be all chirpy and positive about the state of things, but the times we are living in now are so uncertain. You have to have nerves of steel.”
She cautiously encourages others to follow their own entrepreneurial ambitions and open a business.
“But take a business course first,” she says. “Negotiate fiercely on all things financial: from insurance and rent to advertising. Services have had to bring their rates down and so you can get better deals if you hunt around. Negotiate a pop-up shop and give it a trial before you sign a lease. Don’t invest in a lot of equipment until you can see if you can get off the ground. And, finally, don’t beat yourself up if things fail. This is the worst financial crisis in Ireland’s history and quite a lot is out of our control.”
RHYTHM OF LIFE
Amy Murphy’s (right) life changed when she became a volunteer. This 21-year-old, from Mourneabbey in Cork, has discovered all sorts of unexpected things about herself as a result.
It began when she attended the Indiependence music festival in 2010. “Growing up, I was really shy and uncomfortable around large crowds of people,” says Murphy. “I was also really bad at socialising. But I had a fantastic time that day. I enjoyed the music, made new friends and thrived in the atmosphere.”
She wanted to attend more festivals, but not as a spectator. “I thought it would be easier to overcome my nervousness if I had something to do,” she says.
“I was also ready for an adventure. A lot of people my age travel abroad, but I couldn’t afford that and I wouldn’t really enjoy it anyway. I wanted to do something young and reckless that I’d never had the confidence or inclination to do previously, so I volunteered at as many festivals around Ireland as I could.”
Murphy worked at festivals throughout the summer and enjoyed the experience hugely. Meeting new people, getting to know musicians and being part of creating something positive has changed her life for the better.
“I’ve gained an unbelievable amount of confidence and learned a lot of important lessons,” she says. “I’ve gone from being a meek person who would rarely venture into crowded places to someone who snaps up every opportunity to enjoy music gigs.”
The experience has made her reconsider her plans for the future. “I had plans to emigrate this year, but after meeting all these great people I’m hoping to stick around,” she says.
“Who knows? I might work in the music industry. Volunteering is a great way of getting your foot in the door.
“It’s a great experience, no matter what your interests are. The best way of making the most of volunteering is to be friendly and approachable and always willing to help. You’ll find great things will fall into your lap.”
AT ONE WITH NATURE
Wesley Smith’s life today couldn’t be more different than it was a year ago. From Gloucestershire in England, he was working as an administration clerk for his local NHS Mental Health Trust as the bells rang for 2011.
“Like many people, I’d taken an office job in my early 20s as it was convenient and well-paid,” says Smith. “After the best part of a decade and upon entering my 30s, my priorities started to change. I knew it was now or never to make a big change in my career and lifestyle, so when an opportunity came up I gave up my safe career to become a warden on the Farne Islands, a remote place in the North Sea where I lived with 40,000 puffins.”
When the season finished on the island, Smith realised that he wanted to continue working with animals and nature. So, he moved to west Kerry where he now works at the Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary. “I look after poorly seals and other sea animals and nurse them back to health,” he says.
He has never regretted his decision. “If you’re not happy with your life, then make this the year you change it,” he says. “The future really is an open road. It’s too easy to believe that something is impossible,” he says. “If you believe it is, then it is. Sitting down and saying to yourself that you’re not happy and you’re going to do something different is the hardest step. Once you’ve done that, the rest is just a matter of effort and perseverance. You really could end up anywhere and that’s a wonderful feeling.”
