Total Weight Loss - 16 stone.

At the beginning of July 2007 I went to visit my medical consultant as I suffer from diabetes and a heart complaint. That meeting and the meeting I had with Eithne my class leader were to change my life.

I knew I was overweight but honestly never once thought I was the weight my consultant informed me I was on that day - Almost 26 stone. I knew it was now do or die. I couldn't believe I had allowed this problem to reach such extreme proportions.

I am a person who gives her all to life and I vowed then and there to do something about this - especially since my doctor informed me it would be too huge a risk to place me under anesthetic for necessary surgery.

That very evening I phoned the Unislim offices and I was put in contact with Eithne, with whom I made arrangements with for the One-to-One programme where Eithne would come to my home.

I was nervous about the meeting especially since I believed there was no-one in the group with a weight similar to my own. My fears were unfounded though and Eithne put me at ease straight away ensuring we would from this point work together - as we did from then on. Eithne has been a huge support to me and an integral part in my success to date. I have worked with Eithne now for fourteen months and at the time of writing this piece I have lost 14 stone and 1lb.

The difference this has made to my life has been amazing. I am a full time teacher and to be able to stand all day to teach my classes, to swim with my children and to be able to walk into any high street store to buy clothes has transformed my life. Even more importantly although I will always be diabetic and have heart trouble my doses of medication have been decreased. I now no longer take medication for blood pressure or cholesterol.

In effect Unislim, Eithne and my own efforts have saved my life-for which I and my family - as well as the health service!!! will be eternally grateful