Five set for leaner timesin Operation Transformation

Five go into rehab…

Not exactly.

Five run themselves into the ground after a crash diet…

Closer, but you’re missing the point.

OK, Five lead the nation in transformation…

That’s more like it. The five in question may not be as famous as Enid Blyton’s characters, but they soon will be as leaders of Operation Transformation, a joint RTÉ television and radio programme that is helping to change attitudes to food and fitness.

A month ago, RTÉ sent out a nationwide “Take me to your Leaders” challenge. Yesterday, the last of those leaders was chosen and now it is up to them to prove that they will be Ireland’s biggest losers in 2013.

The final five leaders are: Charlotte O’Connell from Cavan; Deirdre Hosford from Cork; Greg Starr from Tipperary; Monica Percy from Carlow; and Gavin Walker, originally from Tallaght and now living in Kildare. They were each surprised by a visit from Kathryn Thomas this week live on the John Murray radio show.

* Charlotte, 23, lives with her boyfriend Gerald in a converted garage in her parents’ back garden in Bailieborough. Although she comes across as carefree, her weight is starting to get her down. She wants to trim down for her sister’s wedding next year.

* Deirdre, 31, is adjusting to life as a stay-at-home mother and is looking after her two boys Jack, 2, and Cian, 2 months. She lives in Whitechurch, Co Cork, with her husband Will, a garda. Having lost her father earlier this year, Deirdre has a new perspective on life and is determined to get healthier for the sake of her family.

* Greg, 36, lost two stone as a member of the Aglish Village People Group last year and wants to continue what he has started. Greg lives in Aglish, Co Tipperary, with his wife Claire and son Eoghan. With a history of heart disease in the family, he wants to improve his health before it’s too late.

* Divorced mother Monica, 43, spends her days juggling her full-time job as a finance manager with the demands of her two children’s busy schedules.

* Recently separated, Gavin, 35, is starting over but his weight is preventing him from moving on. He does shift work, which plays havoc with his diet.

Each leader is determined to alter their eating and exercise habits in order to change their lives and, hopefully, inspire listeners and viewers to follow suit.

With the help of presenter Kathryn Thomas, fitness expert Karl Henry, GP Eva Orsmond, and Eddie Murphy, a clinical psychologist with the HSE, the five will soon be setting off on their marathon task.

Last year’s leaders are still keeping up their fitness regime, according to John Murray. “It’s great to see that they’re still losing weight,” he said.

Former leader Killian Byrne spoke about the biggest improvement to his life after taking part in the show. “It is to be able to go out in the garden and play a game of football, something that I would never have done in the past,” he said.

* To follow the exploits of the next famous five, tune into the John Murray Show on RTÉ radio 1 or go online to [e-mail]