TRANSFORMATION ELATION FOR CUMAS
FIFTY FOUR members of Cumas in New Ross took on the Operation Transformation challenge, shedding 11 stone 6 lbs over the eight weeks.
Laura Doyle of Cumas, New Ross, said: `54 of the 75 clients decided they wanted to do it. We used the information from the Operation Transformation website including recipes and meal plans.’
Just like in the TV show, the Cumas participants were weighed every week and had their blood pressure and sugar levels tested. They increased their exercise regimes week on week and walked at local parks. The youngest person taking part was 19 and the eldest was 60.
The group ran weigh-ins on Friday’s for eight weeks and each week participants had an activity of some kind related to topics to support maintaining and promoting healthier lifestyles.
The activities included a talk by Anne Marie Foley from Slimming World, a talk by personal trainers David and Mairead Redmond, local Operation Transformation leader.
Sports psychologist and health and fitness blogger, Charlotte O’Farrell spoke to everyone about goal setting and self confidence.
Bryan and Chris from the Apex did a light circuit training session, while Robbie and Keeley from Weight Health Lifestyle called in to discuss all the services they provide and the work they are currently involved in. Helen Keenahan from Crystal Fitness called in to do some exercise routines and on the final week life coach Liam Galvin, talked to the group with the assistance of Shane Purcell, Justin Crowdle and John O’Leary, about self esteem using the experiences of the three gentlemen to show how good self-esteem can support a change to a healthier lifestyle.
Colin Maher of Cumas said: ‘Our weekly weigh-ins resulted in a total group loss of 11 stone 6 lbs over the eight weeks, but as you can see from the activities, it wasn’t just about weight loss. We wanted to show that there is much more to a healthier lifestyle and being happy with yourself than what the weighing scales show us. We tried to offer a range of discussions to show exercise options, but also the psychological and emotional benefits associated with having a healthier lifestyle. It’s not just about weight loss as far as we are concerned but we believe it is more important to adopt a healthy lifestyle and the activities were based around showing group members the options that are available to them to support their own journey, after Operation Transformation at Cumas,’ Mr Maher said.