Irish Daily Mirror

I am feeling fabulous in my 50s after losing more than 8st

- AS TOLD TO MICHELLE RAWLINS JO’S MENU BEFORE Breakfast: Nothing Mid-morning: Several coffees with a chocolate bar and a bag of crisps Lunch: Cheese sandwich, bag of crisps and cream cake Dinner: Cheesy lasagne with a full garlic baguette Supper: Cheese an

s fed up uffered gestion had a task ahead of me. Mo explained that planning was key, so I started making a hopping list of meals for the week.

For the first time in years I ate breakfast, njoying soft-boiled eggs and a bowl of fruit, hen roast vegetable pasta with a rich, omato sauce or a baked potato for lunch. As a vegetarian, I found there were so many tasty dinners to choose from – anything from a butternut squash chilli o vegetable lasagne.

After a few months, my swollen ankles mproved and I no longer relied on ndigestion tablets.

And, almost a year after I joined limming World, I was 8st lighter and eady to step outside of my comfort zone. joined an adult musical theatre group with Catrin and, shortly after, I was dancing out on to the stage with my daughter by my side. We were performing a medley of songs from different musicals – including Oklahoma! This time, though, I wasn’t dressed as an old, motherly type – I had no qualms about showing off my legs in a cute, size-10 cowgirl outfit!

Now, I often volunteer for comedy roles, and it makes me smile that I’m no longer worried about people laughing at me. In fact, I love seeing the audience laugh!

From a tiny pink shift dress with knee-high boots in Return to the Forbidden Planet, to worn-out rags in Les Miserables, whichever costume I’m wearing, I feel like I’m just where I want to be.

I’m happier in my 50s than I ever imagined.

Jo loves to perform with her daughter Slimming World is celebratin­g its 50th anniversar­y in 2019

 ??  ?? WEIGHT GLAMOROUS Images: Slimming World Magazine/paul Buller Story taken from Slimming World Magazine, on sale now on the newsstand and in Slimming World groups. To find your nearest group, visit slimmingwo­rld.ie or call 01 656 9696.
WEIGHT GLAMOROUS Images: Slimming World Magazine/paul Buller Story taken from Slimming World Magazine, on sale now on the newsstand and in Slimming World groups. To find your nearest group, visit slimmingwo­rld.ie or call 01 656 9696.
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