ROSEMOUNT’S Alan Mullen is among this year’s selected leaders in the new series of RTE’S weight loss programme, Operation Transformation.
Last week, viewers were introduced to the youngest of the five leaders, twenty one years old business student, Alan, who is setting out on a journey to change his life.
As Alan embarks on a brave challenge that television and online audiences can follow weekly, he told Topic that he is looking forward to the task ahead.
At 26 stone, Alan has been losing the battle with his weight for many years now. He made his first appearance on the show last week, telling the Operation Transformation expert panel that he is aware of the problems his weight presents but he has become immune to the comments made by others regarding his build.
“It just sort of runs off me, now,” said Alan saying that he has grown accustomed to people remarking on his weight.
HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE
Alan had his first weigh-in on Wednesday night last. He was told by the panel, which includes fitness expert Karl Henry, principal clinical psychologist Dr. Eddie Murphy, dietician Aoife Hearne and GP Dr. Ciara Kelly that he is in the high risk category for developing serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease because of his weight.
Alan is determined to turn things around and embrace a healthier lifestyle. He admits that he has struggled with his weight all of his life despite a keen interest in sports and having played for his local club.
Alan was a keen footballer and trained hard with the local team but he was never chosen to play because of his weight. He quit the team in frustration, aged 16. His family are big GAA supporters and Alan’s dream is to be able to get back into playing once again and make them proud.
Alan is also passionate about music and said that he is hoping to make improvements in his lifestyle so that he can look forward to gaining the confidence to enjoy sharing his passion for music with his dad, who plays Country and Western music professionally.
SUPPORT
Alan’s parents, Ailish and John are very proud of Alan’s decision to take part in the programme and focus his ambition to lose weight. Alan recalls that when he signed on to take part in Operation Transformation, he did not really think he would be selected.
After speaking to producers of the show, Alan was shortlisted and well remembers the day the crew came to speak with him at his Rosemount home. he said that he ran out to meet the RTÉ crew as they made their way to his house and says that soon his neighbours who were listening to the radio, ran out of their houses to see them too.
Such is the excitement and goodwill among his home community for Alan as he starts out on his quest to lead a healthier life.
There has been great support for him also at Moate Business College, where he is a student of Business and Computers. Good wishes have been pouring in from staff students at the College, as well as from his friends and neighbours at home and Alan said that is it is very encouraging for him even as the challenge intensifies.
CHANGE NEEDED
Alan currently eats up to seven takeaways a week, and he drinks a minimum of a 6-pack of coca cola a day.
He is also a heavy smoker, smoking up to 40 cigarettes a day and admits that he knows if he keeps going the way he is, it won’t end well.
Alan wants to turn his life around and said that in seeking to take part in the show, he hopes to represent all the young people out there, who are in despair over their weight but don’t know what to do about it.
Over the next eight weeks, Operation Transformation will track the progress of Alan and the other leaders as they radically change their exercise and eating habits and inspire the nation to follow them on their journey to a healthier lifestyle.
WALK WITH ALAN
The eight series of the show is back on our screens this week with presenter Kathryn Thomas. Operation Transformation is once again teaming up with The John Murray Show on RTÉ Radio One and this year will also be broadcasting live on 2FM every Saturday morning with updates from weekly events and you, the OT followers.
This Saturday, Westmeath Sports Partnership is organising a walk in Moate with Alan Mullen as part of the Operation Transformation National Walk.
