“Losing 12 stone, 9lbs has changed my life,” says the Athlone Springs group’s Deirdre Sheerin, who was named Slimming World’s ‘Woman of the Year’ 2017 for the group.
Deirdre, from Clara, has gone from a size 22 to a size 10 in little more than a year. Now she is being chosen to represent the Athlone Springs Hotel Slimming World group in the nationwide Slimming World Woman of the Year 2017 competition.
Deirdre joined Slimming World in January, 2016, after becoming increasingly unhappy with her size.
“In my job as a Garda, I had a car accident which resulted in terrible injuries,” she said. “I couldn’t move about and as a result I started to put on weight. I tried lots of different diets but they usually left me feeling hungry or miserable – or both, in fact.
“With Slimming World it’s completely different. I never have to miss out and I don’t have to get hung up on weighing and measuring everything I eat. My family and friends are all amazed by how much I can eat and still lose weight. I still eat many of the same meals that I did before I started losing weight, like spaghetti bolognaise, curries and roast dinners. Now I just prepare and cook them differently – and they taste so much better.
“I know a lot of people worry about joining a slimming club because they don’t know what to expect. Right from the first moment I felt comfortable, and the support I’ve received has been amazing. I look forward to Slimming World each week.”
After losing 8lbs in her first week, her health and mobility improved steadily as, with help from the group, she began to believe in herself.
Deirdre goes forward to the regional finals of the competition, with the national finals to be held in November.
Pauline, who runs the Athlone Springs Hotel group, said: “I’m so proud of Deirdre. She’s a fantastic ambassador for Slimming World and what she’s achieved is nothing short of incredible! She’s a huge inspiration to everyone in our group, and I hope she inspires other women and men in Athlone to change their lives in the same way.”
The Athlone Springs Hotel Slimming World groups are held every Wednesday at 9.30am, 11.30am, 3.30pm, 5.30pm, and 7.30pm. To join or find out more call Pauline on (087 ) 1878701 or find the group on Facebook.
