Operation Transformation is a lifestyle change!
24 February
Yahoo, I'm down again this week and feeling great with the whole LIFESTYLE change that will without a doubt continuing when Operation Transformation is finished.
It's amazing to think eight weeks can change your life in one way or another, also amazing how emotional a journey like this can be on so many levels. I decided that 2010 was going to be my year. Something that I wanted to achieve for me and my family. I started to study part time despite having a 7month and a 4 month old with me. I wanted this to be my year.
My relationship with food was awful, no breakfast, no lunch and then when I would have dinner I would later snack on junk food to make up for what i was missing throughout the day. I realise now that my body was craving for all the wrong reasons. I thought that there was nothing wrong with what I was doing. Yes I got fat but I thought I could stop anytime I wanted but boy was I wrong.
My weight crept up more and more and I was classed as obese, a word that eventually scared the living daylights out of me. It made me stop and think about my family and how selfish I was being. I was suffering with Irritable Bowel and was on tablets for low iron. I was always tired and didn't have the energy to run after my eldest sun.
I always said I would 'start tomorrow'. I lacked motivation, drive and I didn't know where to start. Then the opportunity arose to talk part in Operation Transformation through the group mumstown.ie. The group was a website where I chatted with like minded parents who felt the same. So the journey to change our lifestyle in eight weeks began.
It's all so far so good. There has been emotional times, wanting to cave, pulling back from the biscuit tin, the smell of the chocolate stand and trying to focus on the long term results. This wasn't going to be a quick fix just to fit into that dress.
I have personally learned so much about food in many aspects and about staying positive. I've also learned to pay attention to what we give our kids, how to read labels and understand calories. This is something I never did before. Once it said 'low fat' I would think I could eat twice as much but I never looked at anything else. I now read labels even on the naughty stuff and make responsible choices for my family's health.
My relationship with food has now changed. I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. I feel so much better. I have tried new foods. My Irritable Bowel is improving and my iron levels are rising. I don't get out of breath when I run after my son anymore. We have become more active as a family and I am hoping that after this experience our lifestyle will change for the better. My cheap affair with junk food is over and my love affair with healthy eating is now red hot and hoping to get even hotter.
For those embarking on a new adventure for whatever reason, you can do it! It is tough to retrain yourself but you will get there. For every hurdle you cross there is hope and strength along the way and that light at the end of the tunnel gets less crazy and clearer as you focus on it.
Here's to the final weeks of Operation Transformation, a lifetime of good health and a change for the better!
Sonia at Mumstown
Anna: I'm not disheartened!
11 February
Hi everyone,
Well another week in and we are all still pluggin' away with the programme and seeing the results on the scales!Again I just want to say a thank you to everyone supporting the five of us. We do really appreciate it!
This week I didn't hit my target (as you all know from watching the show last night but I'm not disheartened. The numbers are still going in the right direction as far as I'm concerned. And if any of you had the same this week just keep the chin up and plough on.
Keep your eye on the prize...the new slimer, healthier and happier you!
Till next time
Anna
The Parents get their skates on!
10 February
This week some of the the Mumstown Parents group went skating with Fergus O'Dowd from the TD's group. We met at Funtasia is Drogheda where they have a disco roller rink. We all started our 45mins session a bit unsteadily but soon most of the parents were spinning around, while poor Fergus was hanging on for dear life!
One of our lovely Mums, Sonia from Mumstown actually took off her skates at one point and held his hand to help him around. However he was persistant and stayed on for the full 45mins. By the end, he was able to skate (albeit wobbly) by himself and hands free!
Fergus likes it so much he is coming with us again next Monday night. We meet at 7.50pm, it's great exercise and anyone can come along. All the details are on www.mumstown.ie. It's taking the misery out of the Op Tran exercising for us as we giggle our way around the floor to Lady Gaga and Beyonce.
We met Dr. Eva on Saturday and we all loved her! She is so much fun! It was reall nice to have some time with her, she is full of great advice and good craic too.
We would just like to say how much we are getting out of Operation Transformation. It has affected not just the 14 of us but so many other parents who are following us on mumstown.ie. The food and exercise regime has really changed our lives for the bette. Even our neightbours and friends are following us and getting active too. It's having a positive knock on effect on so many people and we are really glad me got involved!
Siobhan and all at mumstown!
Conor: 3 Weeks In & Doing Great!
02 February
Hi everyone,Transformation going to plan. I'm down 18 and half pounds to date, but it's early days and I'm coming near the end of week 3. They say it takes 21 days to break a habit so we're all nearly there. I have to say I'm so proud of everyone who is following us and I've no doubt in my mind you'll achieve all your goals and dreams. Never ever give up, even if you're feeling down, find that place inside yourself to stand up and fight. There's no better feeling than getting on those scales each week and finding out you've shed another few pounds.
To all the groups out there too, the Mums, Shed of Shame (SOS)--good name by the way--the taxi drivers and Politicians yis are doing fantastic. But just remember folks its all about team work, I know sometimes we can all get a little selfish about trying to achieve our own goals we're only human at the end of the day but just remember someone in your group will definitely be struggling right now as I speak so please make sure you keep each other motivated and stay strong for each other. If yis can do this simple task then you will succeed I guarantee ya. I hope some day over this 8 week period we as the 5 leaders get to meet some of the groups.
Best of luck and I'll be dying to find out how yis all got on next Tuesday.
The Parents: Resisting Temptation
01 February
I have a confession to make...
I have been
very very bold. In an emotional hour with a friend in need earlier this
week, I crumbled, quite literally, into a scone! Oh the shame, the
horror, the disappointment! But it was an emergency - no salacious
details will be revealed I'm afraid, mum is DEFINITELY the word on this
one - yet also reinforcement to myself, that I am without doubt, an
emotional eater. I didn't even actually WANT the damn thing, but the
occasion demanded it, as did my friend, and so I caved. But I did only
have half, didn't have butter or jam, and have to say most definitely
did not have it warmed up, a strange habit here in Ireland that I still
can't get used to!
D day tomorrow though! At least the all the chewing of the
fingernails I'm doing in anticipation of my date with the scales of
doom should shift an ounce or two!
Food now mastered, exercises duly undertaken with if not gusto, then at
least gung-ho! But grip on determination by the time of the third, and
most challenging weigh in yet, with a 3 STONE TARGET to achieve between
us, is definitely slipping.
I'm in it for me, in it for my family, and in it to win it for the team,
so you'd think with all that riding on me I would be able to resist
the temptation to be bold. But when there's a three year
old hanging off your leg wanting to land his airplane model as if in
a cross wind on your shelf-like rear, a six year old wanting you to
explain the periodic table to her because daddy told her to be a
scientist when she grows up, and the migraine from hell creeping in at
the temples, it's hard to say 'No' to the untouched cheese sandwich you
are emptying out of the husband's lunchbox.
If it were not for the immediate
empathy and support of those on www.mumstown.ie,
the local parenting group through which we all in The Parents
Group met, I think I'd be swimming in a vat of Ben and Jerry's finest
by now. It's so much easier to put that butty in the bin, when,
within three minutes of posting how you feel on the threads regarding
the show, you've had messages from those with you on the programme or
supporting from the sidelines telling you not do it and that you
deserve so much more.
So, onwards and upwards. We're having our wobbles, all of us, but we
wouldn't be human (Dr Eva, take note!) if we didn't, and here's hoping
that we're all gonna continue heading in the right general direction!
Chin(s?) up, one and all!
Heather (The Parents Group)
Amanda: Feeling Nervous About Tomorrow's Weigh In
01 February
Hi guys,
I'm really feeling the burn today from the challenge in the Curragh at the weekend, I could hardly lift my legs out of bed this morning.
Just finished my new weekly programme from Karl, it definitely works as I am in bits! This is the first week that I'm nervous about the weigh in tomorrow as I had a really busy week. Fingers crossed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amanda
Penny: A Tough Week, But We CAN Do It!
26 January
Hi guys,
Well my first
blog, here goes…
I’m the shy one
of the group and don’t find talking all that easy but I have to say that my
confidence is growing every day, all these tasks that we are doing are great
confidence builders.
I’ve had the most
surreal two weeks of my life; the amount of new things that we are learning
about food, exercise and most importantly ourselves, is absolutely
amazing. One of the most important
things that we are learning is that if we really put our minds to it we CAN do
anything we want to do.
The army
challenge last week was THE hardest thing I’ve had to do in a long, long time,
but I proved we CAN do it. I am
absolutely privileged to be working with some of the most friendly, reliable
and nicest people I have ever met in my life and together I know that we will
overcome any challenge put in front of us, that goes for you guys too, you CAN
do it!!!!!
This week I’ve
found particularly hard as I injured my knee on Wednesday. Before the programme
I would have used this as an excuse to give up, but on Thursday morning it wasn’t
all that painful so I decided not to use it as an excuse and went for half a
walk, 2 miles. It was a bit
uncomfortable to do but I was delighted with myself that I hadn’t used it as an
excuse and hadn’t given up. I got
told off later for going though because I could have done more damage by not
resting it (lesson learned Karl).
I’m really feeling it because I actually want to get out there and walk
(who’d have thought!) but this is only a hiccup, roll on next week.
I’d like to thank all of you that I’ve met and everyone else that have wished me well and that are following me on Facebook and the website I really do appreciate it and keep going guys we’ll do it together!!!!
Amanda After Week 1!
22 January
DAY 7=MENTAL
Well gang, I really cant believe it is Day 7 already. It has been such an eventful week, between trying new foods, to exercising everyday,to being on the Late Late Show and even to going to the Curragh on Saturday.
First let me start by saying I'm surprised I am not hungry. I thought I would be absolutely starving by now, but so far so good. Eddie has set me challenge to dump my toaster...not sure how I feel about that one but I'm willing to give it a go.
I'm sitting here in bed at work tonight, literally typing with one finger as i can't move a muscle after today's workout which I did tonight. My arms were already sore from bringing the dogs to behaviour classes last night. We even managed to not get kicked out...I was fairly impressed!
Anna's First Week
21 January
Hi all,
Well the first week is over and all I can say is "What a week!"
It is so surreal! I mean, we have been on the Gerry Ryan show on the
radio, Operation Transformation on the TV, on the Late Late show and in lots of the papers.
It's a lot to get your head around!
Thanks a million to people who have met me out and about and have come
over to offer their support. It's been great and is really appreciated.
The highlight of the week was losing the 5lbs. I'm chuffed with myself.
I haven't been 12st 1lb in a long time. I'm really hoping that by next
week I'll break into the 11st bracket.
The low point this week for me was on the Army challenge. I was sick
the whole morning before we even started the challenge and I was ready
to quit half way up the hill. Thanks to the other leaders I made it to
the top. I felt so disappointed in myself that I nearly let them down
but I made it to the top and that's what I have to focus on.
I'd like to say thanks to all those following me on the website and on
Facebook. I have been peeking into the Facebook site and it really
helps to have the support on there and to see that other people go
through the same things as me and have the same thoughts.
Sure we'll keep on goin'! Onwards and upwards!!
Till next time
Anna
The Groups: How Are The Parents Faring After Week 1?
20 January
12 mammies, 1 dad and 1 granny ......"We are The Parents"!!!!
and we are the fun team in this years RTE's Operation Transformation.
First week over.
It's not about how much weight we loose or gain.
Operation Transformation is about changing our lifestyle.
Getting fitter and having an healthier diet.
So we'll all are going to have some highs and lows, but knowing that
we're taking our lifestyle in hand, going in the right direction that
matters.
This week we are all craving sugar, exercising muscles we forgot we had and generally readjusting to a healthy life style.
We use our website Mumstown.ie to share tips for sticking to it
and get help and support each other if any of us are having a hard day.
Good luck everyone for the next 7 weeks!!!!
Talk soon,
Fabienne & Siobhan
Conor: Day 5
19 January
Day 5:I have had the most mental 5 days of my life. Last Wednesday the show went to air and it was very strange watching myself on TV but it was a good wake up call when I actually saw how much weight I was carrying.
Then on Friday the 5 of us were on the Late Late show with Gerry. I had a
cracking time, I met Brian May and Roger Taylor from Queen and talked
live on air to the man himself Mr Tubridy. But when the dust settled
before I knew it i was facing an Army Sergeant screaming in my face to
get off my a** and move it move it move it. I was so proud of the 4
girls the way they handled the pressure.
If this was not enough
excitement to take on Sunday morning I was whisked off to the National
Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown were I was about to face my biggest fear: "THE
POOL". I was met by a former Olympic Swimmer and current Irish swimming
champion and also my motivation coach Enda. I'm not gonna say too much
before the show goes out but lets just say "there were a few tears
shed".
Just after finishing my 60 min workout of 600 reps in total on
my legs arms and bum.....very sore but feeling great.
I hope everyone
is feeling great after the first 5 days, but remember its early
days...we all need to stay focused on our goal and take it day by day.
Thanks to everyone for the support on the streets and on Facebook so
far, it really makes a difference to my challenge ahead and remember
"The next time ya see me you'll be seeing less of me".
Talk soon, Conor.
Amanda's Day 1!
15 January
Well D-Day finally arrived!
Had great crack last night in my house
watching the show. I felt fine all day until I got the texts from
people telling me they were nervous for me. Poor Brian got an awful
ribbing from the lads at work today about lacy underwear.
I hopped out
of bed this morning at 06:15 and started my exercises at 07:00 when my
camera man (lovely Mark) called over. I managed to muddle through them
ok as some of the video was not working. Overall they were ok, but felt
the burn all the same.
We then proceeded to make breakfast (I had a
very blond moment and let the porridge explode all over the microwave).
Following this I prepared my evening meal which was the Kidney bean
casserole. Now, I was a little worried at this point as the biggest
memory I have is my mum shovelling kidney beans into me as a kid.
Surprisingly it tasted divine.
Due to the fact that I was heading into
work i decided on beans on toast for lunch as its quick and easy to
make.
The hardest part of my day was multitasking as it was a busy day
at work... I worried that I did not have enough exercises done but I'm
sure I'll develop a routine shortly which will sort out those fears.
It
was quite strange today being in my local Londis and Super Valu having
people come up to me asking was I the girl off the telly and if so, well
done and they would be watching. I was actually a massive spur for me
to keep going.
I finished on the floor at work tonight at 10:30 and
decided to do a final set of the exercises as the earlier problem had
been rectified. The pain has set in slightly, but hey no pain no
gain. All was going well until one of my bottles decided to spring a
leak. :)
Well, it's bedtime for me here in Cobh but all I can say is
bring on Day 2.
Conor's First Blog Entry!
14 January
Hello Ireland......
Well had my first work out this morning and it went great. Feeling energized and ready to take on the world-- ok ok really: I'm absolutely shattered, thought I still had it from years ago but I learned pretty quickly into Karl's workouts that I have a long road ahead. Hope everyone started today and never give up the dream folks, it will be so worth it in the end.
As I say, "The next time you see me you'll be seeing less of me".
Slán!
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