A slimmer who has improved her own health and mobility is using her success to shape a whole new career helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too.
Barbara Small joined her local Slimming World group in the Menlo Park Hotel in March as her weight made it difficult to walk following knee surgery in 2020. “I felt physically unfit, and I was worried about the effect the excess weight had on my health as well as my joints," she said. "I joined Slimming World as I had success in the past there.
This time around however, Barbara realised that the way she would lose weight and maintain the loss was to alter her mindset. "It's a lifestyle change," she said. "It’s about making healthier choices rather than following a diet, for example swapping sugar for sweetener, or white bread for higher fibre wholemeal bread. I love Slimming World’s Food Optimising Plan as I can eat to satisfy my appetite, and nothing is off limits. As a family, we love our burger and chips, but I now use five per cent fat mince and make my own chips. All those little changes add up.
“I now feel better in my health," she added. "I have more energy, and I can now walk unaided and do loads more with my two boys. I feel happier in myself and proud of how far I’ve come.”
Barbara decided to become a Slimming World consultant herself, to support people to make those healthier changes to transform their own health and wellbeing. She is launching her group in Furbo at Furbo National School on Thursday October 27 at 5.30pm and 7pm.
According to a recent HSE study, Ireland has one of the highest levels of obesity in Europe, with 60 per cent of adults and more than one in five children and young people living with overweight and obesity. Because of this, Barbara says her new role has never been more important.
She said: “Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across Ireland. 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 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. I couldn’t have lost my weight without the weekly help, encouragement, and understanding of my own consultant and group. Now I want to use my experience and training to empower others to become the best version of themselves. That’s why, at my Slimming World group, there will be tons of support, encouragement, and fun.
Maura O’Connor, who runs Slimming World’s Menlo Park group and supports Barbara as a team developer, said: “Slimming World consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others. With Barbara’s experience of being a successful Slimming World member, and her kind and warm personality and great sense of humour, I just know that she’ll be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight.”
Barbara Small’s Slimming World group will be held at Furbo National School every Thursday at 5.30pm and 7pm from October 27. For more information, call her on 089 7023329.
