Keeping up appearances

Killian at 19.5 stone before participating in Operation Transformation last year.

With the new season of Operation Transformation underway, the eyes of the nation will be fixed on the five leaders who are attempting to shed some pounds under a strict diet and exercise plan set by experts Karl Henry, Dr Eddie Murphy and Dr Eva Orsmond.

But what happens when the cameras stop rolling and the professionals leave them to their own devices? We caught up with two of last year’s participants to find out if they managed to keep their new shape or if the inches crept back on once the pressure was off?

In 2012 Grace Batterberry from Castetownroche, Cork lost almost a stone and a half when she took part in the series. And while she was motivated to exercise with a TV crew following her every step, keeping on the straight and narrow has been a lot more difficult.

“The reason I applied to OT was because I’d watched it every year and have always thought it is an incredible foundation to becoming a fitter healthier person — which was exactly what I needed this time last year,” says the 33-year-old postmistress.

“I found the whole experience very motivating because when there is a camera following you every day, you don’t have any choice but to stick to the plan laid out for you. The Curragh challenge with the army was a real mind over matter experience and I felt a much stronger person after getting through that ordeal.

“I also won the overall leader of the series which was a great achievement – because not only did I lose 1stone 6lbs, but I also inspired thousands of people to shift weight with me and that is an overwhelming concept. I also had great support nationwide and was the most popular leader to date, so I’m extremely thankful to OT for not just giving me the tools to lose and maintain my weight, but also to make me a more confident and fitter person.”

While Grace, who has a 12-year-old son called Brodie, did extremely well during her time on the show, she has since found it difficult to stick to the rigid diet plan – so luckily her new-found love of exercise allows her the occasional treat.

“Keeping the weight off and maintaining a healthy body has been the toughest challenge to date — I only have to look at a bar of chocolate and I put on weight,” she admits.

Despite the many challenges — and temptations — she has maintained the weight loss.

“To stay on top, I have to choose my meals wisely at all times. But I’m fitter now, too, so I can burn it off a bit more easily. Last year I ran numerous 5 and 10k races — I really enjoy them and have plans to do more this year which also keeps me motivated.

“OT has a great team of experts, an amazing presenter and a fantastic behind-the-scenes network and I am so grateful to them all for giving me the opportunity to get in shape.”

Killian Byrne is an event manager from Dublin. When he applied to OT last year, the father-of-two weighed almost 20 stone. Throughout the course of the programme, he lost 3½ stone and has since managed to shed another stone.

“I was heavily overweight at 19½ stone, when I started with OT,” says the 40-year-old. “My father was a diabetic, had his first heart attack at 41 and died of a stroke at 51 so I didn’t want my children to grow up like I did.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the process of getting in shape and, once I learned that — no matter what the experts said — it was only up to me to make the change. I made a promise to myself to be honest about my efforts and that really helped to keep me focused.”

The age-old combination of diet and exercise helped Killian to get in shape and change his habits for the better.

“I finished the programme at 16 stone but was committed to losing anther stone,” he says. “I reached 15 stone in May and have remained at my goal weight ever since because I still follow the meal plans and as a family we are now very aware of our food intake. I kept running after the programme and ended up competing in 14 races last year — running over 1,100km and finishing the Dublin Marathon in 4hrs 30mins. I also train about four times a week.

“Surprisingly, I haven’t found it difficult to keep the weight off. People still congratulate me on my achievements and that keeps me motivated — I would hate to hear what they would say if I began to put on weight.

“I would advise this year’s participants to enjoy the process, be honest about what you eat and the efforts you put into changing your life. The rewards of success cannot be easily described, but they will change your life in ways you cannot imagine.”

* For more advice visit www.orsmondclinics.com. Operation Transformation is on RTE One — Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8.30pm