Total Weight Loss 6st 7lbs

I used to joke that my life was made up of the four F’s….Fat, Frumpy, Fed-Up and Forty! And I knew I would need to lose the first three to be happy with the fourth!

However, as I approached my 40th birthday I was heavier than ever. Soon, the big ‘Five-O’ was on the horizon and still nothing had changed!

Then something snapped inside me. I was desperate for change.

Today I am proud to say I have shed over 6 stone and have lost a total of 60 inches over my body. I am now size 10 – sometimes an 8 on my bottom half – and I feel absolutely fantastic.

Although I seemed confident in the past, I think it was a form of bravado to cover up my insecurities. Now I really mean it when I say life is wonderful! My slimming secret weapon has been my close friend Ingrid Clarges. She was a member of Unislim and nudged me into coming along to classes with her.

So I joined Unislim in Dunlavin with Annemarie in January 2007. I soon learned that no food is totally forbidden which was a relief. My diet is rich in veggies and fruit and I love water aerobics and salsa dancing. Exercise is now an integral part of my life. Ingrid and I would walk to the moon and back – chatting all the time and putting the world to rights! During the summer we’ve been known to set off as early as 5 in the morning.

People might think we’re crazy but I tell them there’s nothing like hearing the birds singing and enjoying a bright new day.

My number one piece of slimming advice? Do it for yourself. Not your husband, not your friends, not for what people will think.

Do it for yourself and you will succeed!