Emma joined Unislim because she couldn’t walk more than 5 meters without being short of breath. Now alsmot 9 stone lighter she runs 10k a day. Emma was determined to lose weight. She decided on the 6th of June 2015 that enough was enough and she joined Unislim Carnew with Leader Cathy Donovan and hasn’t looked back since. Dropping from a size 22 to a size 8 has been life changing for her.
‘‘Before I joined Unislim, I couldn’t walk more than 5 meters without being out of breath. I had lower back pain whenever I walked, which just made me not want to try. I hated going anywhere that involved walking. It came to the stage where I made excuses not to attend events that involved any kind of exercise.
Growing up, I had always been about a size 14, but after I moved to London and started working shifts, my weight just crept up and up. As a Nurses Manager, my stressful job meant that I was eating late at night and was opting for convenience food so I could eat on-the-go. My usual size 14 had become a size 22. It wasn’t until I seen a photograph of myself that I realised that I needed to make a change.
My dad passed away from a heart attack at the young age of 48, I knew that if I continued on the path I was on, I was headed the same way.
My turning point was I went shopping in Dundrum Town Centre with my friend and I was so out of breath from walking I had to sit down on a step in the shop. I was so embarrassed.
On the 6th June 2015 I made a decision to join Unislim in Carnew. I remember feeling so nervous of what the scales would say, but knew that making this step would be the reality check I needed to get me to get my health on track.
My leader Cathy Donovan 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 each other. I began keeping a food diary and slowly started to walk. I can now run 10/15k – I would have laughed if someone told me a year ago that I would be able to run, but now I love it!
My real “magic moment” came when I celebrated my 40th birthday, a few months ago, I wore a size 12 dress. When I first put on that dress, I burst into tears in the changing room and realized that all my hard work and determination was paying off. I put up my before photo on the wall at my party and the reaction I received from my friends and family to my transformation was phenomenal.
I feel fantastic, 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 – all thanks to Unislim.
Feeling inspired by Emma’s transformation story? Join your local Unislim class here.
