Operation Transformation leader Paul Devaney has emerged as a hit with Irish audiences, who love his off-the-cuff humour and positive outlook.
Last week, the Kilconly Co, Galway, native had viewers in stitches as he drolly poked fun at a task assigned by Dr Eddie Murphy which saw him keeping a diary during the week.
Paul joked that the whole affair felt like “school boy stuff” and was unflinching in his accounts of his day-to-day life, seeing the assignment through despite feeling a little self-conscious about it.
The bit of comic relief had those watching wondering whether the OT leader should be offered his own show on RTÉ.
Who is Paul Devaney?
Paul Devaney, 41, is a construction water liaison officer based in Galway, where he lives with his wife Mary (whom he affectionately calls ‘Bubbles’) and his two young daughters, Macheala, 14, and Katie, 10.
He is a native of Kilconly, a countryside area, which neighbours picturesque Milltown and Tuam in north Galway.
Paul and Mary have been watching Operation Transformation for years, often following along and printing out recipes put together by the RTE show’s nutritionist.
When he started the show almost two months ago, Paul weighed 15st 5lbs. He feels his weight issues began when he gave up smoking in 2007.
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At one point, Paul smoked more than 60 cigarettes a day, but managed to kick the unhealthy habit outright, quitting cold turkey and never lighting up since.
The construction worker notes that his job, which sees him on the road often, can make keeping up with a good diet difficult.
He has a particular weakness for salt and vinegar drenched chips, saying he struggles to pass a chipper without popping in for an indulgent brown bag.
What is motivating Paul’s OT journey?
Paul says that above all, family is what motivates him to shed the pounds, as he says that he already struggles to do stuff with his children despite being 41.
He has been diagnosed with a number of medical conditions that he feels are related to his weight, such as sleep apnea. As a result of the condition, Paul has been on a C-Pap machine for the last year.
What kind of progress is Paul making?
As of this week, Paul has shed an impressive one and a half stone (21lbs) in seven weeks, a sustainable but swift pace of weight loss.
This week, Paul was surprised to see that he tipped the scales at 13st 12lbs, losing four pounds since the previous week.
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He said of the development: “I can't believe it. I was talking to [Dr Sumi Dunne] during the week and Aoife and I was pretty sure I wasn't going to make it. I'm over the moon.”
Paul has said he feels incredible since starting his weight loss journey, noting in particular that the quality of his sleep has improved drastically.
He told Ray D’Arcy on RTÉ Radio 1 on Wednesday: “I feel it, every bit of it. The feeling is amazing.
“It's probably very hard to describe it but when you start losing that much weight and you start sleeping better, I'm sleeping now better than I have done in years … that’s the biggest thing for me.”
