Operation Transformed: How past leaders are faring now

MOST of Ireland’s population will have vowed to diet in January. Luckily, the new season of Operation Transformation has begun, but how long after it has ended does the contestants’ new-found fitness last? We spoke to four former OT leaders.

Gavin Walker, 36, is a process technician from Kill, in Co Kildare. He has four children — Ben (11), Amy (8), Chloe (6) and Dylan (5). Comfort eating led to a serious weight problem. “I applied for OT in October 2012, because my marriage had broken up and I had moved out on my own,” he says. “I was putting on weight and was unable to keep up with the kids, so I thought the show would be able to help me with this.”

Starting at 18st 4lbs, Gavin signed off the programme at 15st 4lbs. “Apart from losing weight, I also learned how to cook and eat healthily, and how to excise properly,” he says. “My lifestyle has also changed in every way. All my meals are fresh, healthy and home-cooked. I run four times a week and go to the gym three times a week. My New Year’s resolutions are to try and get into the 13st bracket and do the Dublin City marathon in under 4½ hours.”