Battle of the bulge gets under way for quintet
Throughout the series, fitness experts, doctors, dieticians and psychologists will seek to change the eating habits of the five leaders, while also inspiring viewers to shed the pounds.
The leaders were chosen from hundreds of applicants to embark on the eight-week programme.
In the final episode, the five leaders will take part in a catwalk show where their final transformations will be revealed.
Last year each episode had an average viewership of almost 600,000 with an additional 109,000 people streaming the episodes on the RTÉ player.
The last series saw the leaders surpass their weight loss goals.
Presenter Kathryn Thomas said: “It’s such an inspiring series and really proves what people can achieve when they put their minds to it.The whole country seemed to get behind them and were rooting for them to succeed. I think this year will be bigger and better than ever.”
Type-2 diabetes, which is associated with obesity, will feature prominently on the show. About 5% of the population has the condition.
The series will also take a look at the effects of maternal obesity and follow one woman’s journey of being pregnant while seriously overweight.
The public will be able to follow the diet plans of their favourite leader by visiting the website and selecting the diet plan and exercise regime their leader follows.
The website offers advice and support, constant updates from the leaders, along with tips, discussions and specialist advice from the Operation Transformation experts.
The website has received over 2.5 million hits while the show’s Facebook page has almost 30,000 fans.
* Each episode will also be available to view online at www.rte.ie/ot
Weight: 18st 11lb
ADRIAN, 40, a father of four, was a competitive swimmer and keen amateur boxer but after a trip to America all fitness went out the window.
Adrian from Edenderry, Co Offaly, said: “I went to America and I haven’t stopped eating since.”
The seventh son from a family of eight boys, Adrian is extremely competitive.
He once shed five stone to raise money for a local charity.
Adrian, who runs a popular pet shop, lost his father to a heart attack.
“My main motivation is to avoid the tragic death of my dad. I don’t want to be the next victim. I will do whatever it takes.”
Weight: 16st 5.5lbs
NATALIE, 24, a sales worker, feels she lacks drive when it comes to healthy living and keeping an eye on her diet.
Natalie, who lives in Dolphin’s Barn, Dublin, said: “I don’t eat breakfast, I work all day and don’t get home until 6.30pm.”
The mother of one lives with her partner Michael and said says goal is to become “hot Natalie again” for him.
Natalie has battled through all that life can throw at her over the last few years.
She hopes her Operation Transformation challenge will give her the encouragement she needs to live a healthier, happier life.
Weight: 19st 4.5lbs
KILLIAN, 39, said even though he hit the 20-stone mark last year he only realised how bad things were recently.
The father of two lives with wife Maureen in Rathfarnham, Co Dublin. Killian runs his own exhibition and events company, is the chef in the house and is passionate about food. “The downside is that I tend to spend a lot of time snacking during the day,” he says.
“When I was 15, my dad was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes and died when he was 54 following a stroke and two heart attacks.
“I don’t want this to happen to me, I want to live a long life with my family.”
Weight: 13st 4.5lbs
GRACE, 32, a mother of one, runs the post office in Castletownbere, Co Cork.
She lives with her partner, William, an extreme sports enthusiast who would love her to share his passion for fitness and exercise.
Grace admits she never eats breakfast and has a very unstable daily diet.
She said she wants to feel confident, secure, sexy, healthier and fitter.
She is from a close family and with many of her relatives nearby she knows she has their full support.
Although she only wants to lose a few stone, she feels that if she manages to shift it, it would make all the difference in the world.
Weight: 15st 9.5lb
KAYLEIGH, 18, is the youngest ever Operation Transformation leader.
The Limerick girl lives with her mother, dad, brother and sister. She was in and out of hospital when she was a teenager having picked up a stomach virus when she was a baby that manifested itself in her teenage years.
“I was put on steroids in 2010 and this gave me a false appetite. I have put on a huge amount of weight since then.”
In July 2011 Kayleigh had a bad car accident and it has greatly shaken her confidence. The programme will see her face a major challenge but she has the full support of her family.
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