A slimmer who transformed her life by losing four stone is using her success to shape a new career helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too.
Cheryle joined her local Slimming World group in Clifden two years ago and dropped four sizes, losing four stone.
Now she has trained as a consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, at its national training academy in Derbyshire. Members of the group are getting ready to welcome Cheryle as their new consultant when she takes over the group on Monday September 16.
The latest Government figures reveal that around two in three adults are obese, and it is estimated that by 2020 Ireland will be one of the heaviest nations in Europe.
“Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across Ireland," Cheryle said. "When I first joined Slimming World as a member, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight, but now I just can’t wait to get started. After losing four stone and completing my training, it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight, and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to target.
“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost four stone without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own consultant and group. As someone who has lost weight myself I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight. Setting targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey. That’s why, at my Slimming World group, there’ll be tons of support, encouragement, and fun.
“Like a lot of slimmers, I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following numerous diets, but they were never sustainable because I’d always get tired of restricting what I ate. I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, but when I came to Slimming World it was different. I never felt like I was on a diet. The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, and lean meat and fish, you are never hungry and no foods are banned so there is no deprivation. I couldn’t believe I had found a way to lose weight without starving myself.
“Slimming World isn’t just about changing what you eat," she continued. "Becoming more active is important too. Our Body Magic programme takes the threat out of activity by showing people, many of whom have unpleasant memories of being forced to take part in activity at school, how they can build activity into their daily routine without having to take up traditional forms of exercise like going to the gym or running. Everything counts, from walking to gardening to washing the car. I love swimming, walking, and kayaking to get my Body Magic. As a consultant it’s my role to create that warm, supportive, atmosphere to get people sharing their ideas and experiences to help others — it’s going to be great fun.”
Cheryle’s Slimming World group will be held at Clifden Town Hall every Monday at 5.30pm and 7.30pm from Monday September 16. For more information or to join Cheryle’s group go along on Monday September 16, call her on 086 0319229, or visit www.slimmingworld.ie
