Wexford woman’s transformation complete
AFTER TWO MONTHS’ EFFORT MAIREÁD IS FEELING LIGHT HEARTED ABOUT LIFE
MAIREÁD REDMOND is a new woman after shedding 21 pounds during the eight weeks of Operation Transformation.
Maireád took to the Operation Transformation stage where host Kathyrn Thomas told her: ‘You look flawless. You look gorgeous.’
When the 22-year-old Gusserane woman began her Operation Transformation journey in January she weight 16 stone 4-and-a-half pounds. At the weigh-in last week, she weighed 14st 12lbs. In doing so she lost four and a half inches off her waist. she said: ‘ There is so much I want to do, 5km, 10km and mud runs.’
Her brother James, who has supported her throughout her eight weeks through good times and bad, said: ‘I am unbelievably proud of her. She completed her first 5km, which will be one of many. I hope it’s only going to get better for her. She can’t go back to where she was and she won’t.’
Judge Karl Henry said: ‘I’m not sure I recognise the woman standing before us today. You look young and vibrant and ready to take on the world,’ before telling her how proud he was of her.
At the start of her journey Maireád told the four judges that she wanted to change. ‘I don’t want to be this person anymore. It feels like there are two people in me. The one I am and the one I want to be.’
Overwhelmed by the occasion, she also saw a video clip of her mother saying: ‘We are so proud of you. You have achieved so much.’
Ever since Maireád was told by RTÉ Radio 1’s Ray D’Arcy that she was chosen to be one of the show’s leaders, the country has been captivated by the chocolatier and pastry chef who lives at home in Gusserane with her parents, Noel and Mary.
Her younger brother Adrian (20) is in college in Waterford I.T. and she has two older brothers: Sean (27), living in Waterford, and James (25) who lives locally.
Maireád studied culinary arts in college and is currently studying Business part-time at the college.
As a child, Maireád’s weight was an issue. She remembers her mother sitting her down and telling her she’d have to lose weight as they were struggling to find a communion dress to fit her.
At the outset Maireád said she wants to lose weight so she can be in control of her body and not let the image she sees in the mirror change her mood, her feelings or her confidence. One of the other reasons she was chosen is that Maireád has a lot of back pain and was told by judge Dr Ciara Kelly at the outset of the show that she was at risk of developing gout.
Speaking to the New Ross Standard Maireád said she is excited about her life for the first time in years.
‘I would never have lost one and a half stone in this time without Operation Transformation. This is just the start of it. I feel great and I’ve more energy and better habits and I’m making much better choices.’
Maireád is happy the filming is over and says she is ready to take on more challenges in her bid to get down to under 14 stone.
‘ The show is great but I’m happy the cameras are gone. There is a lot of pressure on you. People are pulling and dragging off you. I have my life back now and I know what I have to do.’
Describing the past few days as a ‘massive comedown’ as the adrenaline of the show faded away, Maireád said she is looking forward to gradually getting back to normal.
Maireád said her life is busy between working full time and studying part time, so she is taking a well deserved two week holiday. ‘It was very busy working and studying all week and going to Dublin on Saturday for shooting Sunday and Monday. I love running so I plan to keep that going. I got a personal best last Saturday of 36 minutes and I’m training for a 10km.’
Maireád said she got on really well with the four other leaders. ‘We’re all planning to do a run together.’
She said the support she received from her family and the community was amazing. ‘ There is no community in the country that can compare to Gusserane GAA Club and the community here. They organised walks and hundreds of people turned up.’
Maireád has improved her diet and is a lot more conscious of her portions. ‘ There are days when you’re not going to be completely organised. You have to make a choice when you are out and about and know it’s not worth it going to a chipper or for a pizza. You’ll pig out every now and then but you can go for a run after. It’s about not letting one day of bad eating become one week.’
Her father Noel has also lost weight since she started changing the menu at the Redmond household.
Maireád never weighed herself until she was 20. ‘I don’t know what I’ll look like when I’m 14 stone. I can’t wait!’
She urged people across the county to attend the assessment day later this year and to give Operation Transformation a go. ‘Everyone who does it loses weight. It gives you the tools you need and it’s up to you to run with them.’