PEOPLE OF LIMERICK TAKE ON OPERATION TRANSFORMATION

 

Clare Scanlan Operation Transformation Leader and Aoife Hearne Operation Transformation Nutritionist leading more than 500 people from across County Limerick gathered in Newcastle West on Saturday for the annual Operation Transformation walk. The sixth annual event, which was organised by Limerick Sports Partnership (LSP) and Sport Ireland in conjunction with RTE’s Operation Transformation programme, was one of 54 such events taking place around Ireland at the weekend. Clare Scanlan, who is originally from West Cork but now lives in Newcastle West, was the centre of attention for an RTE camera crew on the day after she was confirmed one of five Leaders in this year's Operation Transformation television series. Clare joined people from all over Limerick on a 5km walk from the Demesne in the town.  Picture: Keith Wiseman

Clare Scanlan Operation Transformation Leader and Aoife Hearne Operation Transformation Nutritionist leading more than 500 people from across County Limerick gathered in Newcastle West on Saturday for the annual Operation Transformation walk.
The sixth annual event, which was organised by Limerick Sports Partnership (LSP) and Sport Ireland in conjunction with RTE’s Operation Transformation programme, was one of 54 such events taking place around Ireland at the weekend.
Clare Scanlan, who is originally from West Cork but now lives in Newcastle West, was the centre of attention for an RTE camera crew on the day after she was confirmed one of five Leaders in this year’s Operation Transformation television series. Clare joined people from all over Limerick on a 5km walk from the Demesne in the town.
Picture: Keith Wiseman

Almost 1,500 people from across County Limerick gathered in Newcastle West last Saturday for the annual Operation Transformation walk.

The sixth annual event, which was organised by Limerick Sports Partnership (LSP) and Sport Ireland in conjunction with RTE’s Operation Transformation programme, was one of 54 such events taking place around Ireland at the weekend.

Clare Scanlan, who is originally from West Cork but now lives in west Limerick, was the centre of attention for an RTE camera crew on the day after she was confirmed one of five Leaders in this year’s Operation Transformation television series. Clare joined people from all over Limerick on a 5km walk from the Demesne in the town.

It was the start of a hectic day for Monagea based Clare that culminated with a live appearance on the Ray Darcy Show on RTE 1 later that evening.

“We were delighted with the support for the walk, the whole of west Limerick nearly turned out, there were people from nearly every parish. I went to RTE straight after the walk, Saturday was a hectic day” Clare explained.

Clare is however delighted that she got involved in Operation Transformation. “It is never too late to start, you can start at day one any time and from that point of view it is very accessible. If you follow the plan it all works, the meals are quite easy, the exercises are good. I would certainly encourage people to get involved even those try to lose the last half stone. The meal plan is such that you are only getting enough to fuel you for the following day. I would hate though for people to think that I have it all in order, I would not say that I am finding it easy but I am getting there.”

“The Operation Transformation walk is a great way of promoting the health benefits associated with regular exercise,” said Phelim Macken, LSP Sports Coordinator.

“The people of Limerick are fortunate to have so many looped walks and Sli na Sláinte routes that are ideal for the beginner walker in order to increase their physical activity output levels and thus enhancing their quality of life. 

“Many people do not realise it but besides contributing to weight gain, physical inactivity is one of the main risk factors for heart disease. At least 30 minutes of physical activity at a moderate intensity, such as brisk walking, five-days-a-week will keep your heart strong, improve muscle strength and make you feel good, he added.

RTE’s Operation Transformation features an added dimension this year with members of the public joining in and attempting to lose a collective 1 million pounds in weight. The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) is offering a free weigh-in service in more than 1,000 pharmacies around the country for those taking part.

Catch up with Clare and the other four leaders on RTE One this Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 8.30pm