Mary Curtin, 23, has always battled with her weight, but a picture posted online after a night out with friends persuaded her that she needed to do something about it once and for all. Just over a year later, she has lost four and a half stone thanks to Unislim, and her newfound confidence has transformed her life and her career.
“From as far back as I can remember, I was always overweight. When I was 12, I was 12 stone, when I was 13 I was 13 stone, and so on until I was 15 – and that year I went to 16 stone. I tried a few diets, but always put the weight back on, plus some more. One summer I managed to lose ten pounds to get back to 16 stone, and went out with my friends, thinking I looked great. But when I saw a picture of me taken by a friend, I realised that something had to be done.
The food that I ate would be healthy enough, but it was all about the quantity. For instance, at dinner, I wouldn’t stop at one plate, I’d have two. I wasn’t the type to have chipper food every night, but I’d eat too much. I’d eat white bread instead of brown, instead of putting one slice of cheese in a sandwich, I’d have three.
“I work nearly seven days a week as a carer, meaning I can be called at any time to cover a shift. This means planning in exercise can be tricky for me, but I find that when you eat well it’s much easier to get the balance right. I’ve loved learning about nutritious food, and I now know how delicious it really is! My mum now goes with me to the meetings and it’s great to have her as support too. We keep each other on track at home.
“Unislim has really opened my eyes to what you can eat. Before I would be thinking all the time ‘I can’t eat that’. With Unislim, eating is so easy and nothing is off the menu. I’ve also learned what to order when I’m out and about with friends. The experience has completely changed my view of food. It’s not a diet, it’s a way of life.
“I know I’m healthier now and I have a lot more energy. High cholesterol runs in my family, and I had a touch of it myself, but that’s come down since starting with Unislim. My confidence has gone up too. Before, when I was introduced to new clients, I’d be so nervous, because I had the idea in my head that they were judging me on how I looked, rather that who I was. Now I think of meeting new people as exciting, not scary!
“My social life is so much better now, too. I went out loads over Christmas and where as before I was so self conscious, now I feel good, relax and have fun with my friends. I really enjoy dressing up too – I’d never worn a dress before this shoot, and I could never find a pair of jeans that suited my shape! It’s like a whole new world for me, and I can’t stop taking selfies!
Feeling inspired by Mary’s transformation story? Join your local Unislim class here.
