Clondalkin leader Seán Daly told RTÉ LifeStyle that Operation Transformation was a life-changing experience.
Seán says that although the show was the start of his weight loss journey, he's not worried about losing momentum once the cameras leave. "To be honest, whether someone is beside me or not, I'm going to continue on. I went into Operation Transformation to change my own life" he told RTÉ LifeStyle.
Once you decide to do it for yourself, that's when it changes.
At the start of the series, the twenty-five-year-old said his fashion choices were limited because of his weight, "I had one pair of jeans and three t-shirts that I was comfortable wearing", he said. Now, though, Seán says he's enjoying a new wardrobe and new found confidence.
"I think when you feel good, confidence will follow, so I think I will date. I'll probably have to get them to form a queue. I'm going to concentrate on myself and having fun and being twenty-five."
A lot of people who are struggling with their weight can feel intimidated by the gym. We asked our Clondalkin leader for advice for those of us starting out on our fitness journeys.
"I hate the gym. I went to the gym before, I used to be forced to go to the gym. I absolutely love running."
For Seán, It's all about finding an exercise that you will personally enjoy and will realistically keep up. "No matter what way you choose to lose weight, if it works for you, its the right way to do it", he said.
"I've lost weight before, I've yo-yo dieted but I've never, ever, ever got fit. This is the first time I got fit and this is the first time I got healthy and got control of food."
Most importantly, the young leader says that a successful change has to come from within.
"I've spent twenty-five years worrying about what other people thought about me and I've got to twenty-four stone because of it so people's comments don't shake my anymore."
Finally, the young leader addressed the issue of sexuality, and the public's reaction to him.
"I have started some conversations about people's sexuality in their homes, which I didn't set out to do but I'm glad it happened because I've received some lovely feedback in regards to it."
Operation Transformation has come to an end - but you can watch it all back on RTÉ Player now!
