Local man Thomas Carroll moved to the UK when he was young and lived and worked there as a painter and decorator, though he and his wife always planned to move back to his beloved Ireland. In his later years, Thomas gained weight and was around two stone overweight. This affected his health and he was in great pain with his knees, having to have cortisone injections to help alleviate his pain. Due to these health problems, he retired two years earlier than planned.
Thomas moved back to Ireland, settling just outside Athlone with his wife. His daughter joined Slimming World in the Athlone Springs Hotel and was doing really well. This gave Thomas encouragement, and he joined the 9.30am Slimming World group in the Springs last May. He was amazed at the amount of food he could eat - normal everyday foods like potatoes, rice and pasta, and steak and chips.
Thomas says: “I expected to feel hungry, eating small portions and salads, and it wasn’t like that at all. I was never hungry.” He especially liked the easy chicken curry recipe in the New Members Pack. He found the group friendly, encouraging, and great fun, and began to lose weight - losing two and a half stone in total and reaching his target this January.
The fabulous news is that Thomas is no longer in any pain with his knees and doesn’t require the cortisone injections. He feels great and has lots more energy. He can now tackle everyday tasks like mowing the lawn, and can fit into suits he used to wear; he is now looking forward to buying a nice new suit for his grandson’s communion.
Thomas would encourage anybody who is thinking of losing weight to join Slimming World: “It’s easy to assume it’s not for men, but I was really welcomed and am delighted I joined; I would encourage anybody who is not happy with their weight to join.”
If you would like to join Slimming World, everyone is welcome to come along any Wednesday, to the Athlone Springs Hotel at 9.30am, 11.30am, 3.30pm, 5.30pm, and 7.30pm or call Pauline on (087 ) 1878701 for more information.
