From healthier food choices to tailored fitness plans, the five Operation Transformation leaders have been doing everything in their power to improve their lifestyles over the last few weeks – and the results are certainly showing.
Between the help of fitness experts and their own incredible motivation, the group managed to lose a combined one stone one pound collectively.
After losing a staggering 17 pounds in the first week – a first for Operation Transformation – Shane considered quitting the show after becoming overwhelmed.
However, last week’s weigh-in saw Shane lose a much more sustainable 3 pounds, and he’s continuing to go from strength to strength.
Karl Henry delighted with Shane’s progress, calling it “one of the hardest weeks to lose weight.”
“Two stone in total now in terms of weight loss, four and a half percent body fat; the biggest body fat loss of any of the leaders so far on this year’s series,” he said.
“If you can stay healthy and active and continue to lose weight over the course of the next three months, I reckon you’re gonna make that list for the life-changing surgery that you’ve always wanted.”
Next we have leader Lorraine, who had a very emotional week as she opened up about the stress of her busy family life.
“Sometimes I just feel that maybe I was the wrong person for the show,” she admitted prior to last night’s weigh-in.
However, when presenter Kathryn announced that Lorraine had lost a further two pounds, the busy mum broke down in tears.
“I’m so relieved,” she cried, “I don’t do well with letting people down and that’s what I felt I was doing.”
Judge Eddie acknowledged: “You came in here as the most bubbly, joyful person on week one and your mood shifted downwards through the last four weeks. But you can’t pour from an empty cup and your energy was so low last week.”
He continued: “It’s about getting that back, there’s hope here, because you have the tools. It’s about prioritising yourself. That’s the key message for you: self-care is not selfish. Put yourself first.”
After opening up about wanting to have children in the future, but continuing to struggle with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Andrea lost an amazing five pounds at this weeks weigh-in.
Judge Sumi explained that with tackling PCOS, “absolutely 100% the first line is diet and it’s lifestyle. And the fact that you were doing so well and this is amazing, that you have gotten to this stage, so I am very confident moving forward that we will be able to get you back into a regular menstrual cycle.”
Meanwhile Karl praised Andrea for her staggering weight loss, “Five pounds in week five? This is generally the hardest time to lose weight: the body and fitness levels are adapting and it’s the toughest time to hit the targets, let alone exceed the targets by two whole pounds. This is brilliant.”
For leader Barry, this week was almost as successful as the last, as he lost an amazing three pounds, though it was one pound below his target of four.
Though he admitted that he was disappointed with his result, the judges assured him that he was doing well.
Judge Aoife encouraged: “When we look at that weight loss, your muscle actually did creep up a bit and your fat crept down a bit.
“So, yes, it’s not the target, yes, we believed you could have lost four pounds, but gaining muscle is a positive thing long-term.”
For Tanya, it was a treat week as her partner took her out for a romantic date.
The leader admitted that during the meal, she had three glasses of Prosecco, leading to a judges’ debate like never before.
Though Tanya exceeded her target of two pounds and lost three, the judges debated as to whether Tanya should have had her Prosecco at all.
Aoife said: “This was your first big challenge… and you bottled it, literally,” while Karl said he “watched in disbelief that you couldn’t stick or adhere to the plan.”
Tanya admitted, however, that she didn’t regret her treat drink, with Eddie backing her: “It’s five weeks in, but Tanya hasn’t been out in two years with her hubby. I’d say you’re bloody right.”
What do you think?