Saera Ní Fhinneadha started her Slimming World journey in May 2017. At the time, she was very unhappy with her weight, and her confidence and self-esteem were very low. "When I joined, I didn’t tell anyone, as I had tried a few different weight loss programmes before and none of them had lasted," she recalled.
"For my first week I followed the plan and I wasn’t sure how I could lose anything by eating as much as I did, especially pasta and potatoes. My first week I lost 5lbs and I was delighted.
"Some people feel that you can only lose weight by going to the gym and exercising all the time. While Body Magic is encouraged at Slimming World, it is there to promote wellbeing as well as maintaining weight loss. From my own experience I was not able to exercise the first year and a half because I had a very sore back, but I still managed to lose weight almost every week.
"Some of my favourite meals with Slimming World would be the 'fakeaway' burger in a bowl with homemade chips, a Slimming World friendly fry up on a Saturday morning, or overnight oats as a tasty lunch treat.
"So far, I have lost over four stone and my class even voted me their Miss Slinky 2018. My confidence is through the roof and I love the way I look, but more importantly how I feel about myself. Being able to walk in to a clothes shop knowing you can choose anything in the shop is a great feeling. Before Slimming World, I would have avoided buying new clothes as shopping would have left me feeling miserable.
"I have signed up for a Strictly Come Dancing charity event for June, this is something I never would have dreamed of doing even a year ago.
"My energy levels have improved greatly, and I have climbed Diamond Hill twice with barely any effort. I now enjoy going to the gym a few times a week and attending yoga classes."
Saera Ní Fhinneadha attends Barna Slimming World on Mondays. Emma runs groups in Barna School Hall on Mondays at 5.30pm and 7.30pm, and Saturdays at 9.30am and 11.30am. Call Emma on 085 2544220 for more information.
