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2016 OT leader, Lucy Dillon, 24, from Clonmellon, Co Meath.
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Operation Transformation diary 'I can actually go into clothes shops now and buy clothes I want to wear'
Lucy Dillon was an Operation Transformation leader last year. She’ll be writing her weightloss diary for us over the coming weeks and motivating us to stay on track.
Hello everyone
Welcome to my first weekly blog for the Journal.ie. Some of you may remember me as one of last year’s Operation Transformation leaders. My name is Lucy Dillon and I’ll be writing about my experience following last year’s OT plan.
Before we go into how this week went following the plan, I will fill you all in on how the last year has gone for me.
My weightloss journey so far
This time last year I was weighing in at 16 stone 13.5 pounds. That’s only half a pound short of 17 stone. I am 24. I was horrified with the result and couldn’t imagine a future any different as I knew it was going to be hard work.
I have made so many positive changes to my life since last January. My lifestyle has completely turned around for the better. I look back and think where would I be today if I hadn’t applied for the show. I definitely wouldn’t be here sharing my success and happiness with you all.
Being on the show gave me the motivation to keep going and when it finished in February I was determined to keep going. I have now lost two stone and eight pounds in total and I’m down three dress sizes (from size 20 to 14).
I can actually go into clothes shops now and buy clothes I want to wear rather than just what fits me. I am living life to the full and feel amazing.
Exercise and food
When I finished on the show 121 Fitness Navan sponsored me to continue my fitness journey and drop more weight. I work out three times per week. They push me to the max and I weigh in once a week. I exercise regularly: walking, jogging and playing GAA football with Gaeil Colmcille in Kells.
One of my favourite parts of the day is planning my meals and sharing recipes with all of my followers on social media. You can follow my Facebook blog @Love Lucy x and Snapchat @lucydillon1. I have over 7,000 followers at the moment and I update my meals, recipes and exercise routine every day to help keep myself and others motivated.
Our daughter Molly is now two years old and I would like to think I am being a good role model for her. I grew up overweight and I don’t want the same for her. Myself and Conor always try to fit in a family walk on a Sunday – it’s great for her.
New job
Since I finished on the show I started a new job. I am working with Meath Local Sports Partnership. Our vision is to get “more people, more active, more often” in Meath. At the moment I am working closely with communities helping them become more active through walking.
There are 14 community groups in Meath planning weekly walks in their local areas to coincide with Operation Transformation for the next 8 weeks.
10k Ambassador
I went from couch to 10k in the short space of a few months after the show. I was the proud ambassador for the Dublin Women’s Mini Marathon in June and the Cook Medical Women’s Mini Marathon Limerick in October.
From not being able to jog for over two minutes this time last year to being the ambassador for both of these events was such a huge achievement for me. Exercise has become my medication for feeling GREAT.
Week 1 weigh in – 08/01/2017
Everyone dreads the scales after Christmas but the best thing to do is get straight on plan and go for it. I printed off the recipes from the OT website and got my food shopping done.
Week one following the OT plan and I am down 5 pounds, leaving me at 14 stone 6 pounds. BOOM. Roll on next week’s weigh in.
Advice for people following this year’s show
- You are your only motivation – nobody else will do it for you. You have to make a commitment to yourself to change. It’s never too late.
- Clear your cupboards from foods you know won’t help with your weightloss.
- Plan your meals and exercise for a few days ahead and do your food shopping so that you can be well prepared.
- Once you start to feel better and see results, you won’t want to turn back.
- The OT plan is very simple to follow and it’s free. You can download the recipes, weekly shopping lists and exercise plan.
Enjoy week two of the plan.
Love Lucy x
You can follow Lucy Dillon’s Facebook blog @Love Lucy x and on Snapchat @lucydillon1. Operation Transformation airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8.30pm on RTÉ One.
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