Eight weeks ago, five inspiring leaders took on the Operation Transformation challenge, looking to a panel of experts for guidance and information that would help them gain and sustain a healthy lifestyle.
Some were seeking a better work/life balance, while others hoped to quit smoking or simply find the energy to keep up with their kids. No matter their motivation, the leaders put themselves to the test and led the nation into a new year of healthy habits.
Last night, we saw the fab five strut down the catwalk (click through the gallery above to see the snaps) and discuss the results of their OT journey.
Kathleen Hurley Mullins
Age: 49
Starting weight: 17st 1lbs
Final weight: 15st 7.5lbs
Total loss: 1st 7.5lbs
Highlight: During her time on the show, Kathleen highlighted some of the health issues that many women of her age struggle with such as menopause and incontinence. Dr Sumi Dunne congratulated Kathleen on being such an inspiring journey: "Leadership is about bringing people with you on a journey and you have opened the door to such important conversations. I can't thank you enough."
Stefano Sweetman
Age: 32
Starting weight: 15st 6lbs
Final weight: 14st
Total loss: 1st 6lbs
Highlight: A smoker since the age of 12, Stefano was smoking 30 to 40 cigarettes a day when he started his journey. Since quitting 28 days ago, he has saved himself a whopping €800 - which he plans to spend on himself!
Dr Sumi Dunne praised Stefano for inspiring the nation to give up the cigarettes in a manageable way: "What you've shown the nation is that not trying to rush the process fast is the right way to go. And to reach out for help. After 20 years of smoking you have set yourself and your future health outcomes up fantastically."
Sarah O'Connor Ryan
Age: 38
Starting weight: 15st 9lbs
Final weight: 13st 7lbs
Total loss: 2st 2lbs
Highlight: Karl Henry was bursting with pride when it was revealed that Sarah brought her metabolic age down from 53 to 38: "It's a really good indicator of health - how much muscle you have and how much fat you have relative to the average for your age. To be 38 just eight weeks later is a huge difference. It tells us that you've maintained your muscle mass and lost loads of body fat to bring you into that age bracket. It's phenomenal."
John Ryan
Age: 49
Starting weight: 17st 10.5lbs
Final weight: 15st 9.5lbs
Total loss: 2st 1lb
Highlight: Aoife Hearne was over for the moon for John when it was revealed he was no longer pre-diabetic following his time on the show. "From all of that hard effort that you put in, you have now given your future health the best gift you could ever give."
Katie Jones
Age: 24
Starting weight: 18st 3lbs
Final weight: 16st 1lb
Total loss: 2st 2lbs
Highlight: Dr Eddie was emotional speaking on Katie's incredible transformation in terms of her confidence and her mental wellbeing: "We fell in love with Katie straight away and that got deeper week on week on week. And it is very emotional, we're all in tears up here. The most important thing is that Katie learned to love herself."
