NO MORE WEIGHT GAAIN..
Martin, 58, won’t let mystery virus stop him from shedding pounds
A GAA stalwart who has lost 10 stone has vowed not to let a mystery virus stop his ongoing fitness campaign.
Martin O’halloran, 58, ended up in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, after he had to call the emergency services when he suffered severe chest pains in recent weeks.
After seven days in hospital, medics attributed his illness to a virus and although he is recuperating, he is intent to get his three-year fitness campaign back on track in the coming months.
The GAA committee stalwart, who hails from Rathmolyon, Co Meath, has lost a third of his body weight after feeling embarrassed that he couldn’t buy clothes for his mother’s funeral in 2020.
Since then, he has dropped from 6XL clothes to size 3XL.
He said: “When I couldn’t find clothes to fit me for my mother’s funeral, that was embarrassing but when I had to get a lift down the street of Rathmolyon to follow my mother Ellen’s cortege because I couldn’t walk that far because of my weight, it was then I decided to do something.
“I started with small steps because I couldn’t walk far or I’d be out of breath.
“It was during Covid-19 and I live in Navan so every day, I’d walk 2km to a service station at the edge of the town and little by little, it got easier and it took less time.
“I am a huge supporter of West Bromwich Albion but even going on a plane was too much for me to squeeze into a seat. You lose all your confidence and stop believing in yourself, so I knew that had to change for my overall wellbeing. I swapped out my diet and finally joined a gym and team training to help me beat the bulge. I was walking 12,000 steps every day, whatever the weather, and I had intended to join an intensive training course at the gym before I got sick.
“I just woke up with chest pains a few weeks ago. They were so bad that I had to ring an ambulance.
“The next thing I remember is being out on the street with paramedics working on me.
“I spent a few days on a trolley and it
I have heard all the stories but the staff are incredible MARTIN O’HALLORAN ON DOCTORS AND NURSES
was the first time in my adult life that I was in hospital. What these doctors and nurses do and have to put up with in the ED has opened my eyes.
“I’ve heard all the stories but they are incredible.
“You hear them in one cubicle working with a difficult patient and then, despite them being rattled, they come into me all smiles. I have nothing but the utmost respect for them.
“They say I had a virus which attacked my chest and stomach and I have to take things easy for a little while. The medics were impressed by my weight loss journey and apparently my heart rate is low because of it.
“A few more weeks and I’ll hopefully be back again at the gym.
“It’s been almost four years and this journey has changed me completely both physically and mentally. I’ve more confidence to go out now.
“I’m still a big size of 3XL but at least the size is easier to get and I’ll continue losing weight and improving my health.”