Who is she?
Clara O'Connor is an Irish Kettlebell Sport Team member, World Champion 2013 & kettlebell coach/instructor. She has been living in Wexford for almost 8 years now, and is originally from Cork but moved to Wexford in 2006.
Qualifications: NCEF Fitness Instructor & RGSF Kettlebell Coach
Where can you find her?
Most days, she can be found at Total Fitness Systems in Westpoint.
Don't forget to like Wexford Healthy Eats on Facebook to keep up to date with upcoming interviews with more Wexford people!
Clara O'Connor is an Irish Kettlebell Sport Team member, World Champion 2013 & kettlebell coach/instructor. She has been living in Wexford for almost 8 years now, and is originally from Cork but moved to Wexford in 2006.
Qualifications: NCEF Fitness Instructor & RGSF Kettlebell Coach
Where can you find her?
Most days, she can be found at Total Fitness Systems in Westpoint.
Don't forget to like Wexford Healthy Eats on Facebook to keep up to date with upcoming interviews with more Wexford people!
THE INTERVIEW 26th JANUARY, 2014
Describe your lifestyle:
Describe your diet in a few words
Healthy when training for a competition, extra healthy just before hand and a bit naughty afterwards!
How do you relax?
I relax by sleeping whenever I can!
How well do you sleep & how for long?
I try to get 8 hours sleep a night but, with a very active 3 year old, sometimes this is not possible; broken sleep/early mornings.
Describe your diet in a few words
Healthy when training for a competition, extra healthy just before hand and a bit naughty afterwards!
How do you relax?
I relax by sleeping whenever I can!
How well do you sleep & how for long?
I try to get 8 hours sleep a night but, with a very active 3 year old, sometimes this is not possible; broken sleep/early mornings.
Describe your training:
I train 3 to 4 times per week with kettlebells, usually for about 1.5 hours as rest is needed between heavy sets.
I'm currently training for the Irish National Championships on 22nd February 2014 in Cork. I will be competing in the Snatch event with a 24kg bell.
I train 3 to 4 times per week with kettlebells, usually for about 1.5 hours as rest is needed between heavy sets.
I'm currently training for the Irish National Championships on 22nd February 2014 in Cork. I will be competing in the Snatch event with a 24kg bell.
"I try to base my diet on low GI foods as much as possible"
Does your diet fit into one of our stereotypes?
If so, which one? If not, what would you brand it as?
I try to base my diet on low GI foods as much as possible.
If so, which one? If not, what would you brand it as?
I try to base my diet on low GI foods as much as possible.
Have you followed any “Diets”or “Detox” in the past?
If so, which one? Elaborate
No.
If so, which one? Elaborate
No.
Where do you buy your food in Wexford?
Where do you buy your main groceries?
Supervalu in Rosslare Harbour
Where do you buy your meat?
Supervalu in Rosslare have great quality meat.
My husband is also a keen huntsman & fisherman so we have fresh game like phesant & duck (lean not fatty).
Where do you buy your fish?
During the summer months my husband fishes for sea-bass so we always have a good selection of fish in the freezer.
Where do you buy your vegetables?
Supervalu - fresh always
What are your favourite restaurants and cafes in Wexford?
I love Karoo cafe in Killinick behind the petrol station: They do lovely homemade food. I also love Thai (The Vine) and Indian food as treat.
Where do you buy your main groceries?
Supervalu in Rosslare Harbour
Where do you buy your meat?
Supervalu in Rosslare have great quality meat.
My husband is also a keen huntsman & fisherman so we have fresh game like phesant & duck (lean not fatty).
Where do you buy your fish?
During the summer months my husband fishes for sea-bass so we always have a good selection of fish in the freezer.
Where do you buy your vegetables?
Supervalu - fresh always
What are your favourite restaurants and cafes in Wexford?
I love Karoo cafe in Killinick behind the petrol station: They do lovely homemade food. I also love Thai (The Vine) and Indian food as treat.
Do you grow any of your own vegetables, fruit or herbs?
No
No
Do you look for any particular standards when selecting food?
Do you just buy what's on special offer? Not always, I buy what I need whether on special offer or not.
Do you buy organic vegetables?
Yes.
Do you buy grass fed beef/ free-range chicken and eggs etc. ?
When possible.
Do you try to buy local/ farmer's market?
Yes
Do you try to buy Irish? Which are your favourite products?
I buy Irish products mostly.
Do you just buy what's on special offer? Not always, I buy what I need whether on special offer or not.
Do you buy organic vegetables?
Yes.
Do you buy grass fed beef/ free-range chicken and eggs etc. ?
When possible.
Do you try to buy local/ farmer's market?
Yes
Do you try to buy Irish? Which are your favourite products?
I buy Irish products mostly.
Breakfast - porridge with flaxeed
What do you eat in a typical day?
Breakfast:
Do you always eat breakfast or sometimes skip it?
I never skip breakfast, most important meal of the day!
What is your favourite breakfast?
My favourite breakfast is porridge with mixed seeds.
What is your go-to everyday breakfast?
Porridge or scrambled eggs or Herbalife Formula 1 Sport shake
Breakfast:
Do you always eat breakfast or sometimes skip it?
I never skip breakfast, most important meal of the day!
What is your favourite breakfast?
My favourite breakfast is porridge with mixed seeds.
What is your go-to everyday breakfast?
Porridge or scrambled eggs or Herbalife Formula 1 Sport shake
Chicken salad
Lunch:
Do you pre-pack a lunch/ eat it at home/ buy it somewhere?
I bring my lunch to work.
Do you prepare it- or someone else in your house?
Yes I prepare it.
Describe it.
When I am in work I usually have a Formula 1 Sport shake as it is convenient, packed with protein, vitamins & minerals. I also have some fruit/protein bar.
Pictured is a Chicken salad (made with baby gem lettuce, cucumber, onion, sweetcorn, small cubes of Wexford cheddar cheese, crushed nuts and breast of chicken grilled & chopped) & banana
Do you pre-pack a lunch/ eat it at home/ buy it somewhere?
I bring my lunch to work.
Do you prepare it- or someone else in your house?
Yes I prepare it.
Describe it.
When I am in work I usually have a Formula 1 Sport shake as it is convenient, packed with protein, vitamins & minerals. I also have some fruit/protein bar.
Pictured is a Chicken salad (made with baby gem lettuce, cucumber, onion, sweetcorn, small cubes of Wexford cheddar cheese, crushed nuts and breast of chicken grilled & chopped) & banana
Home-made crumbed chicken with salad
Evening meal:
Do you cook (or someone else in the house) or buy it?
Yes either myself or my husband will cook the evening meal depending who is home first.
Describe it.
All homemade, it can be brown rice with meat & veg, or roast chicken with sweet potatoes/mixed veg, fish curry, pheasant casserole with lots of veg, duck stir fry, we try to have something different every day.
Pictured is Chicken breast (1 & 1/2) made with wholemeal breadcrumbs (sugar free wholemeal bread grated through a cheese grater) and baked in the oven & salad
Do you cook (or someone else in the house) or buy it?
Yes either myself or my husband will cook the evening meal depending who is home first.
Describe it.
All homemade, it can be brown rice with meat & veg, or roast chicken with sweet potatoes/mixed veg, fish curry, pheasant casserole with lots of veg, duck stir fry, we try to have something different every day.
Pictured is Chicken breast (1 & 1/2) made with wholemeal breadcrumbs (sugar free wholemeal bread grated through a cheese grater) and baked in the oven & salad
Treat-time
Snacks:
What do you snack on?
Fruit, nuts, protein bars
Where do you buy your snacks from?
Dunnes/Supervalu/Herbalife
How often do you snack?
2/3 snacks per day
Pictured: Treat-time- 70% chocolate
What do you snack on?
Fruit, nuts, protein bars
Where do you buy your snacks from?
Dunnes/Supervalu/Herbalife
How often do you snack?
2/3 snacks per day
Pictured: Treat-time- 70% chocolate
"I do allow myself chocolate a couple of times a week to save my sanity! "
The food in your meals (Quick answers):
How often do you eat the following?
Red meat: 1- 2 per week - steak
Poultry: 1- 2 per week - chicken/turkey
Fish: 1- 2 per week - sea-bass
Cereal: None
Soup: Maybe if out for lunch or if I have time to make homemade
Fruit: Every day - banana, apple, melon
Vegetables: Every day - My favourite is roast turnip or peas!
Salads: Almost every day, I make my own with a variety of ingredients
Potatoes: Sweet potato a couple of times per week
Bread: 2-3 times per week: Wholemeal bread (sugar free from Centra in Killnick)
Rice/ quinoa etc: 1-2 per week - wholegrain rice
Nuts: 2-3 times per week. My favourite is a mix of cashew, brazil nuts and unsalted peanuts crushed up and sprinkled over salad
Sandwiches/ wraps/ rolls: I used to all the time but don't any more!
Sweets/ cakes/ pudding/ chocolate: I do allow myself chocolate a couple of times a week to save my sanity!
Crisps: I LOVE Tayto crisps but try to limit them to a treat aswell
Take-away food: Very rarely, maybe after a big night out if I am hungover which is every 2-3 months these days!!
Deli food: Rarely
Restaurant: Every couple of months
Coffee/ tea: Green tea 2-3 cups per day
Alcohol: I do love a glass of wine at the weekends but cut it out about a month before competition as training gets quite tough and I need quality sleep to recover properly (Nationals in 4 weeks time)
Sports drinks/ protein: Every day!!! Herbalife Formula 1/Formula 1 Sport
Water? Tap 2-3 litres per day
How often do you eat the following?
Red meat: 1- 2 per week - steak
Poultry: 1- 2 per week - chicken/turkey
Fish: 1- 2 per week - sea-bass
Cereal: None
Soup: Maybe if out for lunch or if I have time to make homemade
Fruit: Every day - banana, apple, melon
Vegetables: Every day - My favourite is roast turnip or peas!
Salads: Almost every day, I make my own with a variety of ingredients
Potatoes: Sweet potato a couple of times per week
Bread: 2-3 times per week: Wholemeal bread (sugar free from Centra in Killnick)
Rice/ quinoa etc: 1-2 per week - wholegrain rice
Nuts: 2-3 times per week. My favourite is a mix of cashew, brazil nuts and unsalted peanuts crushed up and sprinkled over salad
Sandwiches/ wraps/ rolls: I used to all the time but don't any more!
Sweets/ cakes/ pudding/ chocolate: I do allow myself chocolate a couple of times a week to save my sanity!
Crisps: I LOVE Tayto crisps but try to limit them to a treat aswell
Take-away food: Very rarely, maybe after a big night out if I am hungover which is every 2-3 months these days!!
Deli food: Rarely
Restaurant: Every couple of months
Coffee/ tea: Green tea 2-3 cups per day
Alcohol: I do love a glass of wine at the weekends but cut it out about a month before competition as training gets quite tough and I need quality sleep to recover properly (Nationals in 4 weeks time)
Sports drinks/ protein: Every day!!! Herbalife Formula 1/Formula 1 Sport
Water? Tap 2-3 litres per day
Do you have a favourite recipe?
Don't have any in particular, i do make a good shepherds pie, not very exciting though!
Don't have any in particular, i do make a good shepherds pie, not very exciting though!
Do you use supplements?
Yes I use the Herbalife range of products. I think they can be used for weight loss, healthy weight management and they have a great sports range with products to help with endurance during and recovery after training.
Yes I use the Herbalife range of products. I think they can be used for weight loss, healthy weight management and they have a great sports range with products to help with endurance during and recovery after training.
“I do love a glass of wine at the weekends but cut it out about a month before competition as training gets quite tough and I need quality sleep to recover properly”
Any more advice for Wexford Healthy Eaters?
I had been teaching kettlebell classes in town but am just about to start teaching classes locally where I live in Kilrane next to Kick-start Pre-school Monday & Friday mornings 9.15am to 10am starting this Monday 27th January 2014.
I am also a Wellness Coach involved with the 24 FIT CLUB which runs every Saturday from 11.30am to 2pm in Total Fitness Systems in Westpoint Business Park, here we do Wellness Evaluations with people to give them an indication of their inner health taking readings such as bodyweight, bodyfat %, hydration levels, lean muscle mass, BMI, BMR, visceral fat (which is the fat around your organs) and metabolic age. We give nutritional advice also, set goals for people and discuss how best they can reach those goals. This is done for free and clients can train for free during this time also. If anybody is interested they can contact me for more information or to book an appointment.
I had been teaching kettlebell classes in town but am just about to start teaching classes locally where I live in Kilrane next to Kick-start Pre-school Monday & Friday mornings 9.15am to 10am starting this Monday 27th January 2014.
I am also a Wellness Coach involved with the 24 FIT CLUB which runs every Saturday from 11.30am to 2pm in Total Fitness Systems in Westpoint Business Park, here we do Wellness Evaluations with people to give them an indication of their inner health taking readings such as bodyweight, bodyfat %, hydration levels, lean muscle mass, BMI, BMR, visceral fat (which is the fat around your organs) and metabolic age. We give nutritional advice also, set goals for people and discuss how best they can reach those goals. This is done for free and clients can train for free during this time also. If anybody is interested they can contact me for more information or to book an appointment.
"I eat nuts 2-3 times per week. My favourite is a mix of cashew, brazil nuts and unsalted peanuts crushed up and sprinkled over salad ”
