Operation Transformation 2013

It's that time of year again - RTÉ is looking for new leaders for Operation Transformation 2013. If you're interested, you can apply here.

I think at the beginning of this blog I admitted to really liking shows such as OT. For me, Operation Transformation has the right idea for a weight-loss show - it is not a competition, but a mutually beneficial experience. So, what exactly is it and how does it work?

The Idea

Operation Transformation is ultimately a health and fitness show, but one with a twist - it endeavours to get the whole country involved. It is broadcast weekly on RTÉ 1 with regular updates on the John Murray Show on Radio 1. There is also an easy-to-follow website as well as a mobile phone app.

How it Works

People who are overweight and\ or have continuous trouble losing weight are asked to apply to become "leaders" on the show. A leader represents a particular section of society, i.e. last year's show featured a woman in her thirties who wanted to give up smoking, but not gain weight as often happens. An initial list is drawn up, then short-listed and, finally, five men or women are chosen to lead the country to its annual transformation live on the radio. 

Once chosen, the leaders are guided by three experts:

• Karl Henry - a personal trainer
• Dr. Eddie Murphy - a clinical psychologist
• Dr. Eva Orsmond - a medical doctor and weight loss expert

The experts guide the leaders through a change to their diets, exercise regimes and lifestyles in general.Often the changes are unremarkable, but effective and often they are very difficult. Leaders often have life-long habits that are, obviously, hard to break. For instance, a contestant the year before last was a busy mother and business owner who skipped breakfast and munched on pastries and cakes at her bakery throughout the day.

The show usually lasts eight weeks and an episode often focuses on a leader who is having a specific difficulty or problem, and how that person is guided on. Each week the leaders take part in an army challenge. This is by far my favourite element of the show. I would love to partake in one of the challenges; they look tough, but I imagine you would feel great afterwards! The challenges not only test physical fitness, they also test mental strength and how the five leaders work together as a team to get through.

Anything Else?

The show has a great website on which you can choose the leader you most relate to, i.e. the smoker mentioned earlier, the young woman who overeats out of boredom, the middle-aged man who has "no time" to eat healthily, etc. and then follow that person. You can monitor his/ her progress, and what exercise regime and diet are followed. You can also log all of your own details and follow your own success as well as get lots of nice recipes and other ideas to live a healthier lifestyle. The mobile phone app offers similar services.

The show also organises walks around the country in conjunction with the John Murray Show and the public are encouraged to participate. The overall message is to just get moving! Change some of your habits and you can make a big difference to your overall health and well-being. The show has, in the past couple of years, culminated in a 5km run. It is amazing to see these five previously extremely overweight contestants actually RUN for 5km straight. I have done the run before and it was a great day out - very well organised and a fantastic way to feel part of the whole experience having watched the show and had your 'favourite' leader, or your favourite episode.

I would recommend to anyone who can give the time to the show to do so. It seems to have a very high success rate with many leaders going on to participate in triathlons, run marathons and all sorts of other activities they would never have dreamt of beforehand. If you can't see yourself on television, but know you have to do something about your weight, you can follow it now. You don't have to wait until the show begins in January; the website is there all the time and all the information is there for you. Don't wait until the new year - do it now!

Who would you like to see on it this year? What type of overweight person hasn't been represented? My inkling is that it will feature someone with Type 2 diabetes. We'll have to wait and see I guess! :)

Has anybody watched the show and taken advise from it? Or has anyone followed the routine and lost weight? I would love to hear from you if you have - thanks!

What next?

Well, what a downer cycling to work in the rain after that beautiful weather yesterday, as well as the great crowds, support and atmosphere in Dublin city after the Women's Mini-marathon. Nothing like the Irish weather to bring you back down to earth with a bang!!

So, did anyone do the mini-marathon in Dublin? Or the half- or full-distance marathons in Cork? How about TriAthy with Mr. Jenson Button who apparently is a keen triathlete and just 'shows up' if there's one on where he happens to be? Who knew!?

If you did take part in an event over the weekend you should set yourself another goal now so as to maintain the momentum you felt beforehand. If you DIDN'T do any of the events (like me!), but feel inspired (like me!) to sign up for something, I have outlined below a few events coming up.

Remember, if you can run 10 km, the likelihood is that you can run further, longer, faster, better - you just don't know yet! Check out some of the links below and try the next level.

• Beautiful Donadea in Kildare is hosting a series of races this summer. I did a 10km forest run here last winter and although this series isn't organised in conjunction with that event, the forest is stunning and I would strongly recommend it. I found the terrain - for beginners on trail - a bit of a challenge, but it was very enjoyable. All info for entering is here and races are as follows:
• 5km on June 9
• 8km on July 7
• 10 on August 18.
• There is a 5km race in aid of Foróige in Blanchardstown on June 10. This is a great cause and a nice distance for people who might still be dipping the toe when it comes to running. There are cash prizes if you do fancy yourself in the top three and goodie bags for all participants. Very handy if you're in west Dublin too. You can get more info or enter online here.
• Kilbride GFC are organising two road races (5km and 10km) on Tuesday June 19. This could be a lovely run through country roads, especially if the weather is nice. If anyone wants to give me a lift, I might to do it myself! Look here for more details. Juveniles and vets welcome here with prizes for top runners in all categories.
• The Docklands Authority is holding the second in its series this summer on June 19 as well. I did this run before and found it very frustrating as it was really badly organised - runners, joggers, walkers, people with dogs, buggies, etc. all in a free-for-all. It is always nice to run through closed-off streets in your hometown though, so check the site out if you're interested.
•  The inaugural Dublin 5km Pride Run takes place at 7.30pm Friday June 22 in the Phoenix Park. The Park is one of my favourite places in Dublin to run - the scenery is amazing no matter what time of year. I am fortunate enough to live very close, but unfortunately I won't be in Dublin that weekend. I would really like to take part for several reasons, not least of which because it is in aid of The National Centre for Youth Mental Health. Good luck to the organisers in its first (of many!) year.

If those events are two short or don't tie in with your goals, why not try out the Dublin Marathon 2012 Race Series. This consists of four runs as listed below. I have taken part in these runs before and it is the best-organised event I have ever run in. If you are brave enough to be considering the Dublin Marathon (Monday October 29), it is also a great way to train and build up gradually to the full distance. I'll hopefully see you for the half-marathon! :-D

1. 5 mile: June 30
2. Fingal 10km: July 22
3. 10 mile: August 25
4. Half Marathon: September 15.

If anyone has any other ideas of fun runs or more serious events that they are planning to participate in or would like to recommend, please leave information in a comment below.