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Alan 'Murph' Mullen OT Leader 2015/Facebook

'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.

SO, WE ARE coming into the final stretch of RTÉ’s Operation Transformation and results have still been coming strong for me.

I lost four pounds this week. Some people might think that it’s not a good result, but for me it’s crucial because I have left the 20s behind and have finally hit the teens in weight loss.

To say I am ecstatic is an understatement. I haven’t seen those numbers in years and I finally can start to see the finishing line getting closer and closer each week.

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It’s still going to be a long road with a lot of pain, but I feel that I’m well able to accomplish my goals like everyone else is.

This week has been pretty hectic yet again. I’ve been very busy going to schools giving talks and filming with RTÉ.

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I finally decided to apply to do a nutrition course and I suppose my goal by the end of this year is to be able to have a diploma in nutrition and become a qualified personal trainer.

I believe if I can help other people reach their goals then that would be a great accomplishment. It’s great that sponsorship is still coming in and I would personally like to thank ATAK Sports for sponsoring my Under Armour gear which is crucial for training on them cold mornings.

screenshot.1455209415.4405 Alan 'Murph' Mullen OT Leader 2015 / Facebook Alan 'Murph' Mullen OT Leader 2015 / Facebook / Facebook

I think when it comes to exercising you have to be comfortable in all surroundings, which comes down to your clothes and the atmosphere around a gym. I’m lucky to have both at Rahan Fitness. People starting out know what it’s like to walk into a gym for the first time and feel like you’re out of place, but trust me when I say this, there is a right place for everyone, you just have to find it.

My mind has become so much clearer since I’m back exercising. It doesn’t come as a chore anymore, but more of a routine. I want to be there and I know the extra five minutes on the treadmill or rower might get me over the line next week to reach my goal. I always suffered from paranoia, because of my weight and even the smallest thing of walking into a shop made me think, ‘are people looking and laughing at me?’.

Maybe they weren’t, maybe it was all in my head, but that’s what is wrong when you don’t believe in yourself and you have doubt in everything.

screenshot.1455209801.25099 Alan 'Murph' Mullen OT Leader 2015 / Facebook Alan 'Murph' Mullen OT Leader 2015 / Facebook / Facebook

I know now I am better than that and I can achieve my ultimate goals when I want to and nobody can stop me from doing that. The sky is really the limit for me. I still always have that doubt in my head that people are laughing at me, but like everything I just take a step back and think to myself: ‘Look what I have accomplished and look how far I have come.’

Don’t get me wrong, I do see people slagging and slating people over their weight and I think it’s absolutely appalling. They know gaining weight was to no benefit to them, but if they’re trying to change their life, don’t discourage them or make a laugh out of them because at the end of the day what are you doing with your life that is so special?

I think as a country we need to be able to encourage people that might have weight problems and mental health issues to come and seek help and ensure they are not in fear of being laughed at by the people around them.

Alan's Meals
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It’s the little things that counts to people when they need help. I’m delighted to be able to write for TheJournal.ie as I feel, if I can just help one person, I’ll be a very happy man.

I know I still have my own journey to finish yet, but I’ll get there and so can everyone else, if they just believe.

My motivation for you guys this week is very simple. ‘The greatest pleasure in life is doing things other people say you can’t do’.

Just let that sink in if you are thinking of starting your own journey.

Anyone with any questions or wants to follow my plan and see my progress can check me out on Facebook at Alan Mullen OT Leader 2015 or on Snapchat at Murphy1010 and until next week enjoy your health.

Alan Murph Mullen will  be keeping us up to date on his progress as he follows this year’s Operation Transformation. He’ll be writing about his fitness, his meals and his motivations. Keep up on Operation Transformation on their website here and catch up with the videos on YouTube here. You can also stay up to date on Facebook.

He’s also now on Snapchat: 

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Tune in to the programme every  Wednesday and Thursday nights at 8.30pm on RTÉ ONE. Catch up on episodes on the RTÉ Player

Read: ‘I weighed a colossal 27 stone aged 21. I was one of the fattest people ever on RTE’s Operation Transformation’>

Read: ‘Looking back at how much weight I’ve lost, it makes me realise that you really can achieve your goals’>

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    Mute SquideyeMagpie
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    Feb 11th 2016, 8:11 PM

    Good man Alan fair play to you. It’s a whole change of lifestyle not just a few weeks or months. You are on that road now and there’s no going back. Well done

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    Mute Paddy o'brien
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    Feb 12th 2016, 10:22 AM

    Alan the only real way to loose serious weight is the h bloc diet

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    Mute John Kelly
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    Feb 13th 2016, 10:33 AM

    The H-Block diet is the best diet in the world for sustained weight loss, proven beyond a shadow of a doubt to work, with quick results! It’s not for the faint hearted by any means, It’s unique method will give you results you can be proud of. you will fit into that small dress, or shroud!

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    Mute Fearghal O Regan
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    Feb 11th 2016, 8:30 PM

    Fair play. My wife started last March and is down 6 stone since then. I’ve seen the hard work and the pain that’s involved and I cannot understand why there is a stigma around people who are trying to change their lives for the better. Keep up the good work and I hope you get ur goal soon.

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    Mute Thomas Kavanagh
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    Feb 11th 2016, 8:24 PM

    You should be very proud of yourself, changing your lifestyle and losing weight like yiu have is an inspiration to others. Keep it up and best of luck.

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    Mute Vinny kelly
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    Feb 11th 2016, 8:43 PM

    FairPlay Alan keep it going.. Credit to you!

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    Mute Rachael Baldwin
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    Feb 11th 2016, 9:19 PM

    Amazing work Alan. I used to work for an online dieting company for 7 years and I loved being a part of that online motivation to keep the members on track or to point them in the right direction when they had a bad week. I felt honoured towards helping them change their lifestyle through losing the weight and learning about healthy choices/foods. The fact you want to become a personal trainer is fantastic, I wish you the very best of luck.

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    Mute Dr. Eddie Murphy
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    Feb 11th 2016, 11:01 PM

    Keep up the great work Alan

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    Mute Catherine Mc
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    Feb 11th 2016, 9:11 PM

    WOW

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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Feb 11th 2016, 9:19 PM

    Good man,if ever there was proof that weight is attitude related!! .. Hard work pays off and alan you are proof of it, hopefully you will inspire others

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    Mute Conor Geoghegan
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    Feb 12th 2016, 12:15 AM

    Good on you sir !! Keep it up

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    Mute Richard Lippy Collins
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    Feb 11th 2016, 9:22 PM

    Because I have no idea, nor do I care who this guy is the headline suggested to me that he was somewhat impressed by his road to death due to his morbid obesity. But sure if he’s going the other way then that’s alright I suppose.

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    Mute John Kelly
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    Feb 13th 2016, 10:34 AM

    Ah he is, he is doing his best to work it off. fair play to him.

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    Mute The Destroyer
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    Feb 13th 2016, 12:11 PM

    exactly, hes still 19 stones!! heavier than most rugby players. come back to me when hes 14st.

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    Mute bings
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    Feb 14th 2016, 9:38 AM

    I recognised the food in picture 1 & 4 but what the hell was in picture 2 & 3 Maybe I need another trip to specsavers but I have no idea what it was. I think 2 was wraps with lettuce!!!!!!!!! but 3 no idea

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