Before
After
Class Coach:
Breda McCann
Class Attended:
Portlaoise
Hitting the scales at 30 stone, Julie Fitzpatrick has lost a phenomenal 17 stone and smashed it. Now nothing’s gonna break her super-fit stride.
Throughout my life I have always been overweight and have tried every diet under the sun. I would set myself a goal for a wedding or Christmas, but as soon as the event was over the weight would go back on. In 2009 I lost seven stone, but put 10 stone on the following year, that’s the way I was, up and down over the years.
In 2015 I lost my dad who I was very close to suddenly and within three months I put on a further three stone. I was eating through my grief and pretty soon I realised that I was a heart attack waiting to happen.
My health was deteriorating, and I knew if I didn’t do something about my weight I wouldn’t be around for much longer. It came to a stage that even walking across the room had me out of breath.
It was in January 2016 I made the decision that it was time to make a change. I walked into my local Unislim class in Portlaoise and got a big shock when I stepped on the scales and saw my weight, but I knew my leader Breda would support me every step of the way.
Straight away the Unislim plan made sense to me, it was all about eating real food. I started cooking for myself and focused on eating enough – I learned that you must eat more to lose weight, just eat the right food. I eat three meals and two healthy snacks every day – I am never hungry and I don’t deprive myself of anything. I am in control of food now whereas before the food was controlling me.
Exercise was my stumbling block, but I knew I had to start somewhere. I began walking around a tennis court near my home. At the start, 12 minutes was my limit but now, just two years later I’m walking up to 60K each week and I also love going to Zumba and have started training for a Couch to 5K. I’m fitter than I have ever been!
The weight really moved fast for me – in fact I lost 10 stone in only a year. But then things started to slow down, so I had to up the ante and really focus. I set myself mini goals and challenges and worked towards them month by month – it helped me get my mojo back and keep losing weight. I believed in myself and I was not giving up. My belief is that good eating and good exercise will always stand to you – so I had to just keep going.
My confidence and energy levels have absolutely soared since joining Unislim. It’s just amazing!
I love my clothes and I love my style. I used to cover up before – but now I can wear what I like and feel great.
I can even walk across the swimming pool in my swimsuit and not care who’s looking at me – that’s the level of confidence I now have. I’m a lot happier, a lot healthier.
People always said I was the life and soul of the party but nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors, my weight was bothering me. I always wished I could do something about it and now I have.
I am so proud of myself and of what I have achieved. It’s only since I reached 17 stone weight loss that I’ve said to myself ‘You know, I am pretty damn awesome’.
Unislim has forever changed my life.
And though I am still on my weight loss adventure, I know my Dad is looking down at me smiling and saying “I so proud of you”.
My favourite recipes
Fakeaway Taco Fries
What we love about Taco Fries, is that everybody loves them. These taco fries taste even better eaten with your fingers, sitting around the table with family or friends, chatting the afternoon away.
One thing recipe demands is that you put on a bit of happy music, this kind of food needs a chef that's happy to be in the kitchen, it makes them taste extra good!