A 40 Day Health Challenger has told how he is “feeling more confident” since starting the plan last month.
The makers of TV show Operation Transformation have teamed up with The Irish Sun and Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio for a new health series to kick off 2025.
For 40 days, those taking part will aim to eat well, move more and focus positively on mental health – and there’s new digital episodes dropping each week.
And John Drislane, from Cork, said he is already noticing big changes in his physical and mental health.
The 32-year-old said: “I’m feeling more confident, my asthma has improved, my skin has improved.
“So really for me, I was struggling. A year and a half ago I was on a lot of steroids and everything.
“And obviously before starting the challenge I was on the steriods and I had a bad first week but it’s been amazing.
“I’m getting back and my asthma is improving. I don’t need to take my blue inhaler, my Ventolin, as much.
“The running has really helped me and the exercises. Look, I struggle sometimes with press-ups and stuff but we are getting there.
“My overall health and my mental health have really improved.”
GP Dr Sumi Dunne praised John for his progress in the challenge.
She said: “You’re now saying you’re using your rescue inhaler, which is your blue inhaler, less because things are improving for you overall healthwise.
“You still have it, it’s there as a rescue but you are not using it as much.
“And nobody did that, you did that.”
Personal trainer Karl Henry showed how the stats backed up how he was feeling.
He said: “You were 101.4kg on day one and when we weighed you this morning you were 98.6kg.
“12 pounds down in 26 days.”
John, who works for a vending machine company and DJs occasionally, previously said that getting back into a size medium is his “ultimate goal”.
He added: “Obviously the weight is my main thing and that’s going to be the challenge for me to get back down to where I was.
“I’ll have to fit back into my medium clothes again, and that would be my ultimate goal.
“But my mental side of it will be the challenge. It’s just to get my head right, get my head straight and do the proper stuff that I need to do.”
John said the 40 Day Health Challenge is the “best opportunity” he’s ever been given.
He said: “I think the professional help from Karl Henry and the others is something I need for the future.
“I think it’ll just help me because once I get back, I know I’ll be able to stick at it.
“I think this is the best opportunity I’ve ever had.
“Just to actually meet professionals like them and hopefully get the tips to carry on for the rest of my life.”
HOW TO WATCH THE CHALLENGE
THE latest episodes of the 40 Day Health Challenge are now available at the 40dayhealthchallenge.ie.
Readers can also follow all the action and get the latest updates, meal plans, exercises and mental health tips from Thesun.ie and Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio during the 40 days.
Meanwhile, a competitive couple taking part in the 40 Day Health Challenge have told how they are “getting younger together”.
Husband Jim O’Sullivan and wife Deirdre have won the hearts of the nation as they take on the challenge side by side.
The mum-of-four, who is currently battling stage 4 breast cancer, told how she expected the challenge would need to be adapted for her.
Deirdre said: “I thought there was going to be a plan adapted for somebody like me who was living with chronic illness.
“For me the 40 Day Health Challenge has meant that I feel back in society. I don’t feel invisible anymore.
“I feel like I can be part of everything that’s going on, to suit my level of ability.”
The former hairdresser wants to inspire other people with chronic illnesses, to not be afraid to live and to not shy away from challenges.
Retired school principal Jim got more than he bargained for when he offered to drive Deirdre up to the 40 Day Health Challenge HQ.
Deirdre said: “To have your best friend by your side doing that is incredible.
“It makes the 40 Day Health Challenge a way of life as opposed to any kind of an extra stress on us.
She joked: “I do actually love seeing him in pain.”
In the latest episode on day 26, the Cork based couple celebrated a new win.
Deirdre, aged 54, reduced her metabolic age from 45 to 39 after following the plan.
The experts told husband Jim, aged 56, his metabolic age was down from 55 to 42.
Personal trainer Karl Henry praised the challengers on their progress.
Karl said: “Couples around the country are going to be motivated now.
“A 39-year-old and a 42-year-old in the house. From the couple to a crowd and back to a couple again. We’re getting younger.”
Jim told how stress “can eat” away at him, but the challenge has allowed him to “let that stress out”.
The experts revealed that Jim, who was 90.2 kilos on day one, is now 85.4 kilos.
Jim joked: “My problem is that when I put on weight, it goes straight to my belly and backside.
“So I’m like a pregnant duck at that stage. It’s a case of here’s my head and there’s my bottom.”
Thai Red Chickpea Curry
Serves 2 (each serving contains approximately 532 kcal)
Suitable for vegetarians
Ingredients:
60g quinoa
1 tbsp olive or rapeseed oil (15g)
1 shallot (35g)
1 garlic clove (4g)
150g mangetout
1 heaped tsp Thai red curry paste (7g)
400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed
400g tin light coconut milk
1 tsp chia seeds (5g)
The method:
Cook the quinoa in a saucepan of boiling water for 15-20 minutes or according to packet instructions.
Meanwhile, heat another saucepan over a medium heat with the oil. Peel and finely chop the shallot and mince the garlic, then add to the pan and sauté for 1-2 minutes until softened.
Slice the mangetout, then stir into the shallot mixture with the curry paste, chickpeas and coconut milk.
Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes until slightly reduced and thickened.
Drain the quinoa and divide between bowls. Spoon over the Thai chickpea curry and scatter over the chia seeds to serve.
*Suitable for batch cooking.
Dietitian Sophie Pratt said: “Chickpeas are the base of this meal because they are a great plant based source of protein, they are also full of fibre which helps with bowel health.”
