The rising cost of obesity in Ireland is projected to soar from €8bn in 2019 to €13.4bn in 2030, with 60 per cent of adults living with overweight or obesity — putting them at greater risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and many cancers. Despite these statistics, people who want to lose weight are increasingly feeling lost, desperate and hopeless — their self-confidence and self-belief that anything can help them, worn away.
New research from Slimming World shows that there is a way people can rebuild their hope and optimism, and achieve a healthy, lasting weight loss. The survey of more than 7,000 new Slimming World members last January identified that more than half of the members said that they’d had feelings of doubt, uncertainty and a lack of motivation and control for at least a year.
However, in just one session, almost every new member left filled with self-belief, self-confidence and self-determination. This switch came from learning more about Slimming World’s health-giving eating plan, seeing the success of other members, and experiencing the empowering support to help them overcome their personal barriers.
Dr Jemma Donovan PhD, Slimming World’s research manager, says: “Our research shows that after many years of feeling hopeless, out of control and desperate about their weight, new members quickly experience a powerful shift in self-belief, self-determination and self-confidence, restoring their hope about what they can achieve”.
Michelle Corbett who runs groups in Clifden and Carraroe agrees with the results of the survey. She said: “Before joining Slimming World, I felt desperate and had no self-confidence. At my very first group though, I was given the belief by my consultant that I could lose weight and reach my target.” Now four stone lighter, and having become a Slimming World consultant herself, she helps people achieve their weight loss goals in her groups every week.
Michelle Corbett is officially relaunching the group in An Cheathrú Rua on Wednesday, January 22 at 5.30pm and 7pm. To find out more, call/text Michelle on 086 8985927.
