Half way there, and Clare's still on target

IT’S half way and here is a summary: Clare Scanlan started Operation Transformation at 17st exactly and this week she achieved her three pound weight loss target and is now 16 stone exactly!

At the beginning of the process, Clare was also gloomier. She continues to grieve for her beautiful son, Darra, who died on December 12th 2011 from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. 

But this week, Tom (the husband who loves her as she is and only wishes her to be ‘happier’) and Clare went dancing, thereby fulfilling a promise they’d made to each other many moons ago, and were happy. 

‘Excess weight might have prevented me from doing it in the past, but we had great fun on Wednesday night, and we have resolved to go back to the classes after the eight-week programme is finished,’ said Clare.

Their children Caoímhe and Liam are also caught up in the process and are – Clare readily admits – happy with their 15 minutes of fame at school. They’re not even fazed by the ever-present cameras.

‘We are an ordinary family, but people following the programme want to see you and what you are at. With us, they get to see us juggle life and extra-curricular activities and school.’

Clare is following her OT plan to the letter. It was, after all, designed for her and the legions that are following her example on TV, online and in print.

‘I work the plan. I do what I have been told to do. But, if I am running late and don’t have an hour to prepare a particular meal, I will swap it for another night, but generally I stick to it.

‘I take my snacks too because it is very important to keep my metabolism up. So, my advice would be this: follow the plan because it does exactly what it says on the tin.’

Being 1st lighter ‘feels great’, said Clare, laughing down the phone. 

‘I feel that bit fitter and I have more energy. I’m delighted too with the support I am getting, but especially the support that comes from the people of West Cork. Thank you!’