# OPeration Transformation
This year
2023
Department of Health no longer a sponsor of RTÉ's Operation Transformation
In both 2021 and 2022, the Department spent €230,000 to sponsor the series which has come under criticism for its focus on weight loss.
Last year
2022
Criticism as Dept of Health spends €230k sponsoring Operation Transformation series
Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns said services for people with eating disorders are virtually non-existent due to successive government failures.
RTÉ’s Operation Transformation criticised over 'dieting culture' ahead of its return tonight
RTÉ claims the programme has “evolved considerably over the years”.
All time
From struggling to beat Georgia to outclassing the All Blacks – how Farrell turned it around
Ireland looked an average side 12 months ago but now they are capable of beating any team in the world.
Overseas sales of Operation Transformation and Taken Down help RTÉ commercial arm profits
The commercial division generates revenues from overseas sales of shows, sponsorship and sales of the RTÉ Guide.
Operation Transformation's 5km finale challenge left everyone at home bawling
An emotional end to the series.
Eh, Karl Henry recommended the leaders get a load of riding in for the last week of Operation Transformation
Priorities …
Operation Transformation viewers bid an emotional goodbye to Jean following pregnancy announcement
It was one seriously emotional episode.
Leo Varadkar didn't seem pleased with his 'metabolic age' on Operation Transformation
The Taoiseach turned 40 last week, but his fitness level doesn’t appear to match.
Here's how Operation Transformation viewers reacted to Leo Varadkar learning his metabolic age
Hint; they loved it.
A debate over dog handling has broken out after last night's Operation Transformation
Is it possible to work out in the same room as your dog?
Operation Transformation viewers were uncomfortable with the 'no camera' moment in Cathal's home last night
‘We can talk about this not on camera, okay?’
'It wasn't a good idea': TV3's Elaine Crowley said she regrets taking part in Operation Transformation
“Psychologically, it can be quite damaging to be weighed in such a manner.”
PSG have confirmed that Neymar's surgery this weekend was a success
The Ligue 1 leaders released an injury update on the Brazil star who underwent surgery on a fractured foot.
Viewers were in tears at the emotional finale of this year's Operation Transformation
Many were astounded by what this group achieved in just two months.
The five Operation Transformation leaders have lost a lot of weight in eight weeks
And plenty of us tuned in to watch them do it.
'Looking at the Mairead I was on assessment day breaks my heart. I don’t recognise her now'
Life after Operation Transformation is already filling up with fun and exciting challenges, writes Mairead Redmond.
Operation Transformation diary: 'I'm furious but won't stop until I reach my target weight of 13st 5lbs'
Lucy’s weightloss plateaued this week, but she’s determined to stay focused on her end goal.
Operation Transformation diary: 'I usually panic when I'm following a food plan and try to avoid eating out'
I’ve dropped another 1.5lbs this week and I’ve finally stopped worrying about eating out when I’m on a food plan, writes Lucy Dillon.
Ray D'Arcy defends Operation Transformation from critic who calls it 'worse than useless'
Health expert Jacky Jones said the show focuses too much on the individual.
Operation Transformation diary: 'I'm disheartened that I've only lost a pound but I'm going to accept it'
Planning your meals in advance and doing your weekly shop on Sundays are my two secrets to successful weight loss, writes Lucy Dillon.
Opinion: As someone who was 27 stone at the age of 21, we need more than a sugar tax to fix obesity
If you walk into any shop in Ireland, there are so many problems with how the food is displayed and marketed, writes Alan Mullen.
"Operation Transformation is not the end of my journey - it's just the start"
This week, Celebrity Operation Transformation participant Gerald Kean talks about how the show has helped him to deal with his diabetes.
Gerald Kean was caught rapid littering on Operation Transformation last night
*very Wham voice* Litterbug.
'When it comes to our weekly weigh-in, all five of us are really nervous'
This week, Celebrity Operation Transformation participant Brenda Donohue talks about how the most convenient food often isn’t the most healthy.
What do politicians eat in Leinster House?
Roast beef, chilli and an Irish fry – they’re all up for grabs in Dáil Eireann.
'I was one of those people who hammered himself in the gym and still ate all the wrong foods'
This week, Celebrity Operation Transformation participant Karl Spain talks about the importance of eating right.
'Don't give up just because Operation Transformation is over'
In Alan Mullen’s last column for TheJournal.ie, he encourages everyone to keep up the hard work – it’ll be worth it.
Here’s how much weight the Operation Transformation leaders have lost
It’s a combined total of 100 pounds – the equivalent of about five car tires.
I'm going to reach my 16 stone goal. Not by being lazy, but with hard work and dedication
This week, Alan says he is looking forward to the Operation Transformation run in Phoenix Park this weekend.
'This is a big week for me. I've finally hit the 19 stone mark'
Last year’s Operation Transformation leader, Alan Mullen, explains why this week was a milestone for him.
Overweight people should pay more tax. Others can't pay for our folly
Operation Transformation is not fat-shaming. We can’t mollycoddle to spare people’s feelings, writes Aaron McKenna.
'I know I still have a lot of weight to lose, but I'm mentally determined to do it for myself'
When I applied for Operation Transformation I knew what I was getting myself into, writes Alan Mullen.
'Looking back at how much weight I've lost, it makes me realise that you really can achieve your goals'
Alan Mullen was a leader last year, but he hasn’t given up. In week three he tells us how he is staying on track.
Operation Transformation leader withdraws from the show due to health reasons
Dan Kennedy underwent tests at St Michael’s Hospital in Dun Laoghaire, where he was diagnosed with severe colitis.
'After training and a strict diet this week, I am three pounds off the two stone mark'
Alan Mullen was a leader last year, but he hasn’t given up. He’ll be keeping us up to date on how he’s getting on over the coming weeks.
Here is what Gerald Kean and Lisa Murphy were doing in casual sportswear last night
The celebrity pair were taking part in the ad-break challenge as part of Operation Transformation.
'I weighed a colossal 27 stone aged 21. I was one of the fattest people ever on RTE's Operation Transformation'
Alan Mullen was a leader last year, but he hasn’t given up. He’ll be keeping us up to date on how he’s getting on over the coming weeks.
Watch: Operation Transformation leader tells story of teenage son's sudden death
“The impact of that, no-one gives you a manual for it or no-one can understand it unless it has happened to them.”
Poll: Will you be taking part in Operation Transformation?
The programme is hoping the public will join in to lose a collective 1 million pounds in weight.
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