A couple from Galway city have turned their lives around, losing six stone between them and eating more heartily than ever before.
Daniel and Michaela joined their local Slimming World group last January 2021 while in lockdown. They believe supporting one another on their weight loss journey has been the key to their success.
Daniel, who has lost 3.5 stone, said: "We loved to cook at home but once we grasped the secrets of food optimising and got a hold of the Slimming World recipes via the amazing app, the weight just started to drop every week. The app has a food planner, we use it to plan our meals and our tea time treats. We love it when a recipe says it's for four people, knowing we will have leftovers for lunch. Before we started we worried eating healthily might limit us, but we can say food optimising fits beautifully around our lives rather than the other way around."
Michaela, who is now 2.5 stone lighter since joining Slimming World, said: "We really enjoyed the heat wave this year with summer clothes going on easily and often too big, plus swimming in the sea became freeing and so enjoyable. I love to swim and I now feel I have the confidence to take my body magic to the next level and get back into the pool to swim regularly.
"We joined the group when our group went virtual in lockdown, and we are now looking forward to getting back into our group to see the rest of the members and our consultant. I don't think we could have achieved our weight loss without the support of our consultant Claire Flaherty."
Claire Flaherty, who runs the Castlegar GAA Club group, said Daniel and Michaela are living proof that slimmers are more successful when they lose weight together. "This past year has been incredibly difficult for so many of us but Daniel and Michaela's determination to reach their goals never faded," she added. "They are an inspiration. I could not be more proud of them."
The Castlegar Slimming World group is held every Monday with morning and evening sessions. To join or find out more call Claire Flaherty on 087 9231629.
To find out more about joining your nearest group visit www.SlimmingWorld.co.uk
