Inspirational Wicklow nurse says huge weight loss ‘saved my life’
A Wicklow nurse who has lost 5st 7lbs with Unislim has said she believes that weight loss saved her life, when she later survived a severe health scare.
Avoca native Vivienne Connell had been a member of Unislim for over ten years before becoming a leader in 2022.
She has attributed her ability to navigate parenthood and the challenges of the pandemic to her membership with her local slimming group.
Vivienne described how she had been “very overweight” for her frame and joined Unislim 10 days after the birth of her third child.
“I had gradually put on more and more weight over time following three pregnancies,” Vivienne said.
“After my daughter was born, I walked into my class in Arklow 10 days later, where I received such a warm welcome. My leader weighed me and told me to take a good look at that number as it was the last time I was going to see it. That turned out to be true.
“The confidence I gained from losing weight is immeasurable. Ten years later, here I am, still walking the walk daily.”
A finalist for Unislimmer of the Year in 2013, Vivienne took part in photoshoots and even a TV ad for Unislim.
Detailing how her journey had not been plain sailing, Vivienne explained that, after reaching her target weight in 2013, she contracted swine flu, which saw her immune system attack her heart, and she developed myocarditis.
“I was woken from my sleep with the most crushing chest pain, which lasted over 10 minutes,” Vivienne recalled.
“I ended up having an ultrasound of my heart. This spiralled into needing angiograms and multiple cardiac MRIs.
“It took a solid two years to recover, and yet I was still able to maintain my weight. I had developed such healthy eating habits and balance in my life with Unislim that it had just become second nature.
“My cardiologist also told me that had I not lost six stone or been as healthy as I was then there was a higher chance I would have died in my sleep.
“I do believe joining Unislim in 2012 saved my life, and it is a major focus of why I continue to prioritise my health day in and day out. I was lucky. I went on to have a fourth child after getting the all clear.”
Vivienne said that the COVID-19 pandemic was another major hurdle, with Unislim classes going online and stress levels increasing.
“Home-schooling four children, stepping up into managing an ICU in a pandemic, full-time nights plus overtime and zero time to look after me,” she said.
“I look back over it all and am incredibly grateful for the support of my friends, family, my Unislim leader and the whole community, as it was a traumatic experience.
“I was flabbergasted to be nominated for the Frontline Worker of the Year award with Arklow Chamber of Commerce, which I won.
“During the pandemic, when visiting was cancelled, I dropped care packages to patients in the hospital and brought home washing to patient’s family members.
“A very surreal experience, and yet in the background, I was trying to tread water and survive as a family.
“I was able to reduce my hours in ICU, as unfortunately my lower back really suffered during the pandemic due to the workload.
“I did however find a new passion in helping others on their Unislim journey. I became a Unislim leader in 2022, and I absolutely love it.
“Unislim fits in with my life and my children, and I am still able to work in ICU, but I have the balance right.”