This year’s youngest Operation Transformation leader Mairead Redmond has had a tough few weeks following the plan she has been given. She missed her target on both week one and three which didn’t go down to well across the nation and especially for all of her followers.
Last year's leader Lucy Dillon was called in by OT producers to give Mairead some words of advice and get her back on the bandwagon, as she told RTÉ LifeStyle.
"I was thinking about her after watching last weeks show as her story was all over national papers," Lucy told us, "and the message that was put out there was soul destroying.
"I know how tough it is as a leader not only for the eight weeks on the show but after it too. The cameras take up so much time, it felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day to fit in everything but I made it work.
"I suppose as a leader it’s going to be hard – but you have to chose what hard you want – success or failure!
"The producer of Operation Transformation got in touch last week and asked me if I would be up for traveling down to Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny to have a chat with Mairead.
"I suppose the primary focus was to encourage her to keep going and be the leader she truly deserves to be by pushing her just that little bit harder and making it work for her."
"I was unsure how Mairead would react when she found out I was coming down to talk to her as I didn’t feel she was accepting help from others as shown on TV the last few weeks!"
"Luckily, I was wrong. When I got down to Thomastown I made my way into where Mairead works and once we started chatting it was like we had already met, she was so lovely to talk to and there was no shortage of chat."
"I spoke to her about planning her routine and meals in advance so it would leave less room for skipping meals or picking at unnecessary food whilst on the go, pushing harder during her exercise and to accept the help being offered by her family, community, and friends after OT finishes."
"We discussed the pressure of the nation following her journey but to make sure to embrace the last few weeks as a leader as this is what she will carry with her for the rest of her life. I’ve been there, wore the t-shirt."
"She was taking all of my advice and encouragement on board and kept saying she felt more on top of things that week in particular and felt so much better about herself which was fantastic to hear.
"I set off on my journey home to Co. Meath on a happy vibe. Mairead was ready to tackle the last few weeks on the show and felt super motivated. I was thrilled to watch her on the show this week to see she lost more than the target set."
"I know from my own many attempts at losing weight, it is very hard and even harder to keep it off when you do lose it. We all have to remember we are only human, accept the bad days and look forward to the good ones."
Operation Transformation airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8.30pm on RTÉ One. Follow the OT plan
