Celebrate the new year with a new you at Slimming World!

As we begin a new year, Limerick's Amanda O'Neill has been sharing her weight-loss journey

What was the final straw that made you join Slimming World?

There wasn't any one defining moment, I suppose it was a series of little things over time. Family events or big occasions meant I had to wear something other than a tracksuit pants & hoodie, days out with kids, worrying if I would be able to fit into the seat of a playground ride. I wanted to be able to do these things and so much more without the worry and actually enjoy it without feeling self-conscious.

What do you love about Food Optimising?

Follow the Food Optimising plan. I love that there is no cutting out of any food group and that I can still eat any food I want by incorporating it into my daily allowances. I think I eat more now than ever before. I have been reintroduced to foods that I have always enjoyed, just now I enjoy them in a healthier way.

It's very easy to make my meals 'syn free' -  even if the rest of the family are having one that is not. I still have my roast dinner or steak and chips and it can be completely 'syn free'.

What has been the biggest challenge that you have overcome since joining Slimming World?

The biggest challenge I have overcome is learning to believe in myself and that I could make a difference in my life. Every milestone along my journey has reinforced that belief, from those first few pounds in week 1 to getting to target, the changes can be seen both physically and mentally.

What can you do now that you couldn't do before they lost the weight?

I am definitely a lot more outgoing now - I would rather hide in the background before. I can enjoy going shopping with my daughters and not dread the changing room. I have more confidence in myself. I have so much more energy even just doing day to day things. I don't get aches or pains in my back or legs anymore since the weight came off so I can keep going for longer on walks or days out.

I'm actually even getting better with photographs, before I was always either behind the camera or hiding, it was near impossible to touch down my previous photo!

Did being overweight affect your health in any way? Has it improved since you lost weight?

I was very lucky to not have any health issues, but it was something I would have thought about a lot, what damage was I doing to my body carrying around so much extra weight. I feel my mind is more at ease now that it is gone.

For more details and information about Slimming World in Limerick, click here.

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