Beating the Big tempting Apple
It’s week two of Triona McCarthy’s Operation Transformation journey where she travels to New York, but does she bite?
‘Drinks flowed, nibbles circled...but I dodged the gilded trays’
MY whole life can be summed up in one sentence... “Well that didn’t fecking go as planned!” If you tuned into Wednesday night’s episode of Celebrity Operation Transformation on RTE, you’ll know that I was the ONLY one to gain weight after our second week. Just me. Goddammit!
I’m actually heavier now than when they weighed me over a month ago when I was 12st 6lbs at our initial assessment. Then we had two weeks before we started the plan and I ate all round me, bringing me up to 12st 9.5lbs. I then lost the extra in the first week.
So I’m 12st 6.5lbs now, and I wouldn’t mind but I was an actual angel at New York Fashion Week! I wish complaining burned calories! I had imagined that there would be nothing so torturous as being surrounded by sweets, treats and good-time goers, when you’re trying to abstain yourself.
But surprising even myself, it wasn’t as big a challenge as I’d assumed.
I set off to the airport after my brekkie of two boiled eggs and toast. Actually, I don’t know how I haven’t turned into a hen at this stage as that’s what I have every morning. Fourteen eggs a week folks!
Anyhoo, I rocked up to the The 51st and Green Lounge at Dublin Airport which is like a food festival with pancakes, muffins, cake and biscuits, and let’s not forget the barista serving my beloved cappuccinos. But no, I was like a supermodel before a shoot and only ate a bit of smoked salmon and beetroot quinoa. That quinoa though I find, always gets stuck in my teeth, but better than the crisps, that get stuck to my arse if you know what I mean!
Arriving in NYC, I checked into The Standard High Line Hotel, my home for the next four days and surprised myself again by going for a walk and a workout on the High Line. People around me were craning their necks to get a look, upon seeing the camera following me, assuming a major celebrity sighting. Celeb sighting fail at its finest as all they got to see was lil ole me and my nonsense.
I actually had peeps in stitches with my carry on. Let’s just say my ‘freestylin’ exercise routine will never make it on to a DVD in time for Christmas. Or ever!
Then it was up to the rooftop bar and large bottle of sparkling water, sipping it with a big smug puss on me as I nibbled on a green bean salad.
Next morning bright and early, I headed to the Grand Central Oyster Bar for Kate Spade’s 25th anniversary show bumping into Debbie O’Donnell from TV3’s Xpose as well as actress Elisabeth Moss and singer Betty Who.
Afterwards they served the most delish oysters so I shucked away and shooed away the accompanying champagne.
Bibhu Mohapatra was the next show where I got to sit on the frow with Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere and Miss World USA Kara McCullough. Dear Lord, if you can’t make me skinny at least make my fellow frowers fat, I thought to myself! Hahaha!
Backstage before the show where I watched in wonder as Maybelline Global Make Up artist Erin Parson worked her magic on the models, I kept away from all the treats.
Normally I’d be tucking in to the treats but something in me has switched and I’m looking for the healthy alternatives now. Very different to the previous 20 years I’ve been going to of NYFW let me tell you! You don’t earn the name Party McCarthy from sitting in knitting every night.
Early Saturday morning I took a stroll around Chelsea Market after popping into Soul Cycle where all the celebs work out. I’d highly recommend it btw although not for the faint-hearted. But it’s fun and then I found a wonderful little breakfast/brunch bar Chalait.
My heart normally says croissants, cappucinos and chocolate for breakfast, but my jeans were screaming, will you eat something healthy for God’s sake! So I tentatively ordered a matcha bowl, but lo and behold, it was delicious!
Then there was the Tibi show and Dion Lee show before meeting up with actor Gabriel Byrne. Always such a gentleman. Even when we were papped!
Anyhoo, he gave me lots of great advice on portion sizes and how easily we can all slip up with mindlessly eating, which he said happens a lot on set. I’m totally like that as well. Or rather I was. It’s called the Sea Food Diet. I see food and I eat it.
The Brandon Maxwell show followed. Full of supermodels like Gigi and Bella, Joan Smalls, Karlie Kloss and Jourdan Dunn, and then I was off to the Maybelline Mansion for THE party of NYFW.
Drinks flowed and nibbles circled like crazy, but I dodged the gilded trays and enjoyed the evening with quiet determination.
Sunday morning at The Butcher’s Daughter for brekkie followed by window shopping around the surrounding boutiques which got my legs working for a good hour.
I had walked so far I almost didn’t make it back the hotel in time to get glammed up for Public School’s fashion show. Running late is my new cardio!
Next I headed to The Ludlow Hotel to interview model Adriana Lima. I couldn’t believe how small her waist was. And she’s had two children! #bodygoals
We had a lovely chat before I had to rush to the airport where I checked into the lounge and loaded a plate with vegetables which kept me sated for hours so I didn’t have to eat on the flight back.
When we landed I knew I was bloated and retaining water as my rings were tight and my ankles were swollen so I wasn’t actually that surprised that I’d gone up.
AND I didn’t wear any Spanx either — deciding to throw them at Karl instead! Diet Tip — your pants won’t get tight if you’re not wearing any!
Overall, I was actually quite pleased with myself. There were no snaccidents, you know where you nibble on something by mistake, and I managed to fit exercise in around my work schedule.
To paraphrase a common saying about NYC, “if you can make (a diet work) there, you can make it (work) anywhere!”
Celebrity Operation Transformation is on RTE2 on Wednesday at 9.35pm