Birr group aiming to drop 118kg

Wolftrap Cycling Club member Finn O’Sullivan narrowly missed out on being one of the leaders of the currently series of Operation Transformation. Instead of inspiring others via television however, he’s leading a Wolftrap Cycling Club group in south Offaly in a weight loss regime over an eight week period.

On January 6 the group held its first weigh in at Birr Leisure Centre. That meeting revealed a total weight of 1,210kg and a target weight for the end of the eight weeks has been set at 1,092kg - a loss of 118kg.

At the end of week one the team observed a total weight loss of 18kg, leaving their combined total at 1,192kg.

During recent weeks Finn has been training and observing a diet programme as prescribed by the Operation Transformation dietician. A professional cyclist during the 1990s, since then Finn’s lifestyle has changed dramatically. After retiring in his late 20s he did very little cycling, and a career as a sales rep driving all over Ireland led to a sedentary lifestyle. Combined with a desire for large portions of food, inevitably Finn put on weight and now he weighs in at 108kg.

The Wolftrap Cycling Club weight loss group appeared briefly on Operation Transformation last week, but even away from the cameras the group plans to work hard and have weekly weigh ins. Their hoped for weight loss will be helped by Birr Leisure Centre and its manager Marian Carter and staff.

The club’s progress can be followed on the Wolftrap Cycling Club Facebook page. Others are also welcome to join the programme that includes cycling and walking.

Walks will take place on Mondays and Thursdays from Birr Leisure Centre at 8pm, while cycles will take place on Saturdays at 10am from Banagher Bridge and on Sundays at 10am from Horan’s shop in Birr.

Walks and cycles will continue for the duration of the Operation Transformation series.