A slimmer who has improved her own health and mobility is using her success to help 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 last year 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 recalled.
When she joined, Barbara realised that she had 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.
“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, to support people to make those healthier changes to transform their own health and wellbeing. She opened her first group in Furbo last year and is now launching a new group in An Crompán, Carraroe on Wednesday September 6.
“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 help even more people," Barbara said. "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," she continued. "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 groups, there’ll be tons of support, encouragement and fun."
Barbara Small’s new Slimming World group will be launching on Wednesday, September 6 at 5.30pm in An Crompán, Carraroe. For more information, call her on 089 7023329.
