Unislimmer Of The Year 2013 Finalist Vivienne Connell has lost a staggering 5 stone 7lbs and is now living life with more energy than ever before!
Vivienne Connell first experienced problems with her weight when she was living the student life in London while studying for her nursing degree; “I would crash diet and lose a bit but I would always put it back on” she said. After finishing her studies, Vivienne started a family and while she was pregnant with her first child, she over indulged with food; ” I ate rings around myself during my pregnancy and felt guilty about it because it was a time where I should have been at my healthiest for the sake of my unborn child” she said.
Vivienne went on to have another child and with the fatigue that looking after two small children brings compounded with her demanding job- food became her comfort and her weight suffered even further.
It was when Vivienne became pregnant with her third child, she really got a wake up call. When she attended her first scan, Vivienne told us that her BMI was over 30 and because of this she had to be tested for gestational diabetes, she was horrified. At that time, Vivienne’s husband was out of the county working so she was juggling a lot on her own; she was a full time intensive care nurse, she was pregnant and she was essentially a single mother for those months also; “I ate starchy carbohydrates and rubbish to get me through. 5st plus flew on, but I was slowly building the confidence to change my life” she said.
Vivienne realised that in order to make a change she had to start putting herself first so, ten days after her daughter was born she walked into Anne Dixon’s class in Arklow. Feeling ready and determined, Vivienne said that her Unislim class encouraged her to do her best and healthy eating gradually became a part of her everyday routine.
Vivienne believes that her weight-loss journey has changed her life; “I am so grateful to Unislim, my leader Anne Dixon and my fellow members” she tells us. Instead of feeling tired miserable, Vivienne now feels energised and alive- she even manages to squeeze boxercise and zumba classes into her busy schedule!
