The secrets to our weight loss success
SHARON MURPHY WAS NAMED UNISLIM WOMAN OF THE YEAR. SHE AND HER FELLOW WICKLOW FINALISTS TOLD DEBORAH COLEMAN THEIR SUCCESS SECRETS AND HOW LOSING WEIGHT CHANGED THEIR LIVES
THE WICKLOW FLAG was flying high at the 44th Unislimmer of the Year Awards as three women from the county made it to the finals and two of them received top awards.
Their success was testament to the strong presence of Unislim in the county with an incredible 19 stone combined weightloss.
Sorcha Doyle (20) from Bray, Sharon Murphy (31) from Bunclody who attends Unislim, Carnew, and also from Carnew, Emma Kinsella (40), all made it to the national finals to be in the running for the overall title.
While all the finalists were commended for their personal transformations, it was Sharon who scooped the Unislim Woman of the Year title.
Mum of four Sharon, who attends weekly slimming classes over the bor- der in Carnew, shed 5st 12lbs, bringing her weight down to 11st 3lbs.
After a couple of false starts, Sharon found the secret to success and hasn’t looked back.
‘I’m a stay at home mum of four gorgeous children all under the age of nine years, however like most mums during pregnancy, I would gain a lot of weight, and struggle to lose it afterwards. So, I decided to join my local Unislim class, but soon went on to have more children. During my last pregnancy I almost gained five stone and became depressed, turning to food for comfort. But after having my last baby in 2015, I decided I need to make a change and I returned to Unislim four weeks after giving birth. Now, I’m at my target weight, I feel like a completely transformed women both inside and out.’
She says that she is fitter and healthier than ever.
‘I’ve never felt as fit and healthy. I now have loads of energy for my very active kids. I am one happy mammy!’
Sharon’s story resonated with the public as she also won the ‘Unislim People’s Choice’ award, winning the majority of votes of the Unislim online community.
Not alone in her success, Sharon’s fellow slimmer from Bray, Sorcha Doyle, a student at UCD received the Youth Ambassador Award.
Having lost 4st 7.5lbs, Sorcha who now weighS 12st 0.5lbs, says she feels like a new woman and has overcome both physical and emotional milestones to achieve her goal.
‘For as long as I can remember I have been the chubby, excitable kid, I became the butt of a jokes and I began to feel ashamed. I tried every diet you can think of, diet pills, shakes, even starved myself. Eventually, developing arthritis with the pressure on the joints in my knee, that’s when I found out I weighed 236 pounds at only 19 years of age and knew I had a problem. I could not have felt worse, emotionally, mentally and physically – so I decided to get help.’
Sorcha says that joining her local group in Bray has changed her life for the better.
‘July 2015 I joined Unislim and learned to take care of myself from all angles – from real nutrition, to balance and a positive mind/soul before all else. Now, four and a half stone lighter, my health has improved and I can genuinely say I love my body and I’m proud of who I am,’ she says.
Not alone in their weight-loss success, Sorcha and Sharon were joined by Carnew woman Emma Kinsella who also reached the finals.
Emma (40) was more than a little apprehensive joining Unislim in Carnew, but desperately wanted to lead a healthier life, so she took the plunge and signed up.
‘Before I joined Unislim, I couldn’t walk more than five metres without being out of breath. Sadly, my dad passed away from a heart attack at aged of 48, and I knew that if I continued to live an unhealthy lifestyle, I was headed the same way. So in 2015 I made a decision to join Unislim in Carnew. I remember feeling so nervous, but knew that this was the reality check I need to get my health on track. My leader was great, she helped me every step of the way and the Unislim Chatroom on Facebook became my daily helper – it was great to see so many people support one another.’
Emma lost almost half her body weight dropping 8st 11.5lbs to weigh 9st 4lbs. She recored the greatest weight loss of any of the female finalists.
‘I now can run 10k to 15k regularly, and would have laughed if someone told me that a year ago. But my real magic moment came when I celebrated my 40th birthday, and I wore a size 12 dress, previously a size 22. I love the new me and being part of the Unislim family. I am happy, confident and have a whole new sense of pride in myself,’ says Emma.
FIONA GRATZER, managing director of Unislim, paid tribute to the finalists and the winners at the recent awards ceremony.
‘ Today is a day to celebrate these three inspirational people who’ve succeeded in turning their lives around and are now relishing a healthy new lease of life! At Unislim we’re incredibly proud of all 14 finalists today who have completely transformed their lives through our healthy eating plan, and we feel privileged to be part of their wonderful new lives. We thank every one of them and their class leaders for the hard work and determination they’ve shown in getting here today.
‘We hope their personal stories will inspire others who battle with their weight to take the first step to achieving a healthy new life.’