Living a transformation: Catching up with some of the leaders from Operation Transformation
Killian Byrne
When he joined Operation Transformation three years ago, Killian Byrne weighed 19.5 stone. Seven weeks later he weighed 16 stone. Today, he’s 14.4 stone.
Dubliner Killian’s father died young. This influenced Killian’s decision to participate in the TV show: “He had his first heart attack at 41 and died from a weight-related illness when I was in my early teens. When I applied for the show, I was fat, unhealthy, and approaching 40.
I did that because I didn’t want my kids — who were 7 and 5 at the time — to have to grow up without me.
“At the time, I was the best-informed fat guy out there. I knew exactly what needed to be done to lose the weight, but I wasn’t putting it into practice.
Operation Transformation gave me the opportunity to concentrate on my issues; to find out where, why, and how I ate and to put a plan in place to lose the surplus weight. I will always be grateful for that.”
“I work from home. My wife leaves early in the morning and comes home late in the evenings, so I cook and take care of the kids when she’s out.
I used to cook healthy family meals, but when the kids went to bed I’d eat a six-pack of crisps, two or three Mars bars and a packet of biscuits, all in one go.”
“I don’t know, but what I do know is that I got fat not because I’m ‘big-boned’ or because I’ve a slow metabolism, but because I ate too much and didn’t exercise enough.”
“After the show, I signed up for the Dublin City marathon. That goal was a beacon, so I ran towards it and then went on to complete a couple of triathlons.”
While he still eats as healthily as he did on Operation Transformation, his focus has changed: “It’s not about dieting, fitting into a particular suit, or looking good for a holiday or a special occasion.
Now, it’s a way of life; one that involves eating healthily, exercising and training; one that’s designed to ensure I never go back to my earlier weight.”
“Every weekend, we work out what we’ll eat the following week, so we know precisely what to shop for and what food there’ll be in the house. By planning ahead and ensuring we always have the makings of a healthy meal, we don’t make bad decisions about what to eat when we come home tired and hungry,” Killian says.
“I always carry a bottle of water and a bag of fresh fruit in the car. That way, I don’t turn to junk food when I’m out.
At home, I drink mint or green tea after dinner. That’s my signal to me that I’ve finished eating for the day.”
On Operation Transformation, Killian felt people were judging him as ‘the fat guy,’ but now he’s not so sure:
“That was my impression, but maybe they weren’t thinking that at all. “Either way, I’m sure that most people expected that once the cameras were gone and the show was over, I’d return to my previous size. But that’s not something I intend to do.”
Evelyn Farrell
Evelyn Farrell participated in the first series of Operation Transformation, six years ago. The Westmeath woman says:
“I kicked off at 17.5 stone and finished two stone lighter. I don’t know my current weight, because it’s been a while since I stepped on weighing scales, but I think I’m the same weight now as I was when the show ended.”
“There was a big buzz for the first year or two. I was recognised on the streets and I had great craic speaking with the people who came up to say ‘hello’ to me. It was a fantastic experience.”
“To be honest, it’s easy if you eat and exercise in the way you’re shown on the show. After that, it’s up to you.
“If you’re truly motivated, you’ll stick to the good habits you’ve been taught. When you do that, it feels fantastic.”
“Most of it was habit. When I went on the show I was 38 and eating the same amount as I did when I was younger.
"I wasn’t exercising at all and that had a huge impact on my weight. Lack of knowledge was another factor. I only recently found out that metabolism slows with age.”
“I had just recently moved to Dublin, when I first heard a radio advertisement for Operation Transformation. I had changed my life and I thought ‘maybe I should change it some more’; so I applied.”
Now, health rather than weight is her goal, but Evelyn still has concerns: “I’m still overweight and that’s putting pressure on my heart. My weight has fluctuated in the years since the show, but while my focus was once on my work, and on my social and love life, it’s not anymore.
“Since the show ended, I’ve had two daughters. They’re at the centre of my life now as is my stepdaughter and my partner. But while they come first, I’m making time to take two fitness classes per week and I’ve taken to cycling in a big way.
"So even though I’m still around 15.5 stone, I’m a lot fitter now than I was six years ago”.
She credits fitness trainer, Karl Henry for her discipline.]
“I went out cycling one day and came to a fork in the road. I had a choice of opting for a 20K or a 40K cycle and while I was tempted to take the easier route, I remembered Karl saying: ‘Push yourself.
"Really push yourself.’ So I did and, last year, I completed a 100K cycle with my brother, and this year we’re planning on cycling 180K”.
“My partner, James, has been hugely supportive. So were family and friends, but they thought I was mad to appear before the TV cameras in my lycra.
“Yet, when I did, the response was positive with strangers congratulating me and telling me how proud they were of me.”
“I learned a lot about nutrition and exercise on the show. That helps, as does my determination that my family eats healthily and exercises regularly, so as to ensure my kids don’t end up battling weight problems as I’ve done.”
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