Operation Transformation is over but my healthy life is just starting, says Dubliner Louise

The Adamstown native (34) shed an impressive 18lbs throughout the show and has also managed to give up smoking.

"I can't believe what a huge success it's been and in such a short space of time," she told the Herald.

"I'm loving it and I want to keep it up."

She watched the final instalment of the show last night surrounded by family and friends and she said she's thrilled with the changes she has made in just a few weeks.

"I've can run 5kms now and before I could barely run for the bus," she added.

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The Dubliner said that while she had reservations about losing weight in such a public way, she was thrilled with the level of support she received from viewers.

"I've had people I don't know message me on Facebook to say that they've been inspired by watching me - it's amazing," she said.

"There has been no negativity and I was a bit afraid that people would be saying 'why is she overweight, she is a lazy so and so', but the support has been incredible and it's really spurred me on."

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Delighted Louise joined the show - presented by Kathryn Thomas - weighing 13 stone and 12lbs.

She was having trouble getting pregnant and having fertility treatment was impossible because of her weight.

Now though she has started a course of medication designed to boost her fertility.

"There's nothing I'd love to be able to say more than I have good news," she revealed.

"But if it doesn't happen I know that I'm after doing my very best to try."

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Reflecting on her lifestyle changes during the series, Louise can't believe she didn't make the leap sooner.

"I think to myself, 'why didn't you do this years ago?'. It has taken something like this for me to make a change," she said.

"To think that this is all it took really and for years I didn't know where to turn."

Louise said continuing the Operation Transformation will be strange without the TV show.

"It might be a bit different because I'll have no one watching me, the cameras will be gone. But I'm still doing it for me," she said.

hnews@herald.ie